BODUGI BOOST AS SIR HENRY REIGNS

1715: Right team that's it. Eventful first day and a great one for Sir Henry, Sea Moon and Bodugi! I'll be back - and more focused - at 1000 in the morning. I got behind schedule with the technical problems earlier. It won't happen again. Thanks for all your help - we've three more magical days to go.

1710: Interesting line from Timeform re Sea Moon, our runaway Voltigeur winner. He's been rated 128p and the average Timeform rating of the winner of the St Leger - in the race itself - has been 124 this century.

And to put this into further context, the highest ratings in the St Leger itself this century have been Conduit (127) and Milan (126).

1700: Bodugi bagged, I love Bodugi, not as much as Ben Linfoot and Paul Shane but nearly as much! Oh Richard Fahey said: It's always great to get a winner here. Paul said the ground is riding dead and that suited this horse. He's in a valuable handicap at Newbury and could head there before a possible Cambridgeshire tilt."

1652: Well done to Richard Fahey - our Richard Fahey - Our Joe Mac wins! But what about Bodugi, what about Bodugi?

1648: What drama. I lead the HWPA Bodugi competition going into the last race. Basically if Ithoughtitwasover wins we're in clover. High Twelve and World Heritage are bad news.

1642: How do we rescue a day like this? An exacta 1-7-13-17 that's how!

1640: Naqshabban gone to post early. They could do with starting to get him into the stalls now.

1637: Bad news that Snow Fairy is out of the Yorkshire Oaks tomorrow. Race poorer for her absence.

1635: Vic Chiew needs Eagles Rest of Club Ocenia in our last for a decent bet - fingers crossed VC.

1630: Right where's the drawing board? John Sandys writes: "Hi Dave, hope you're well. Just seen the results of todays big races. Now we know why Sir Henry didn't run frankel in the International, the cheeky knight already had the 1,2 ready to run. As for Sea Moon, fantastic for Beat Hollow as a Stallion, and the 8/1 and 10/1 vouchers looking quite good now! Hate it when this work stuff gets in the way of the real serious business of the Ebor festival! Hope you're having a good day!"

It's fun JS - but expensive fun...

1608: Nursery next. I made Campanology one of my best bets of the day but would love it if Satanic Beat won. He's a chance too. Those two and Our Boy Jack in the Exacta.

1605: Martyn Brown has this to say on our feature race. "After 15 years of Godolphin and Coolmore dominance Khalid Abdullah has trumped them both this year. Best horse (Frankel), best filly (Midday), potentially the best middle-distance horse (Sea Moon), grand old Twice Over and let's not forget Workforce. Thought Queally gave Midday an average ride again, a bit like he did in Coronation Cup, but she was travelling so well he had to go on. Await the Dawn ran about as well as his form said it would. Never a chance against two of the most battle-hardened group 1ers of the last two years."

Cheers MB. It's certainly a golden era for the Juddmonte team and their home-bred stars.

1603: Alan Quigley feels they got it wrong tactically on the favourite too, saying: "Once again they come up short,overuse of pacemakers is a real problem.If the horses are as good as they maintain they should not need pacemakers.Also the use of jockeys who are not in the top grade is detrimental to their charges chances.Get ready for the spoofer to come up with the usual excuses,didn't act on the ground or he's pulled up feeling something but don't expect Aidan to say "Listen, we got the tactics wrong or we were beaten by better horses."

I don't know AQ. AOB was first over to congratulate Sir Henry. Know what you mean about pacemakers, I don't see the point in employing them unless you're leading fancy follows them. What's the point having a horse seven or eight lengths clear of the field? He's an irrelevance to the race.

1602: I need to see a replay of the International but Soodb wasn't impressed with the tactics employed on the runner-up. He writes: "What is wrong with Tom Queally, He started making his move on Midday at the 4 furlong pole. After the Cornation Cup i can't believe he's gone so soon, Everyone knew of the 3 market leaders she had the most pace, he should have left it for a sprint finish."

1559: Martin Damm is bemused by the price Sea Moon started today, saying: "When Sea Moon started his career in October 2010 he was hot favourite being closely related to Workforce and Brian Boru, the St. Leger hero of 2003, - how short memory can be! How could anyone allow him not to be hot favourite today?"

1557: Aidan O'Brien feels the Breeders' Cup Classic could still be on the agenda for Await The Dawn, saying: "America was a long-term plan and there's a lot of time in-between. We'll work out where to go next."

1555: Wonderful reception for the winner - and his trainer who is quite emotional. "It means an awful lot to win this for Prince Khalid who sponsors it and has been trying to win it for years and years. I thought I'd have two goes this year, as they both deserved to be here, as you saw."

1543: We have as Henry Cecil one-two. Twice Over wears down Midday to win the race with Await The Dawn one-paced and well beaten in third. Huge win for Ian Mongan and Tom Queally clearly pleased for both horse and rider despite partnering the second.

1533: No Frankel, no So You Think but let's hope Await The Dawn delivers a toop-flight performance.

1531: Aidan O'Brien walking alongside Await The Dawn who is attracting some clanging bets and is now 8-11. He's the clear paddock pick too. Twice Over doesn't look quite as well as he did last time here, Midday is very quiet and settled on the way to post.

1528: Midday look wonderful in her coat, as she always does.

1527: Very big moment coming up for Joseph O'Brien but he's produced one of the rides of the season already aboard Roderic O'Connor in the Irish 2000 and I wouldn't be against the favourite because of the jockey's lack of experience.

1522: SMS as he is to his friends also gave an upbeat bulletin on Workforce who is back cantering again after his problems post-Ascot and back on track for the Arc.

1520: The bookmakers are running for cover. The sponsors and William Hill are a top-priced 6-4 for the Click here to bet on the Ladbrokes St Leger. Sky Bet, Paddy Power and Betfred go 5-4 and Victor Chandler are as short as even-money.

1515: Not quite as much from our latest winning trainer but Sir Michael Stoute says of Sea Moon: "He was very impressive and is improving with time. On that evidence he has to have a leading chance in the Leger."

Richard Hughes was asked if he was a Leger winner and added: "He certainly ticks all the right boxes. I knew I had those in front of me beat and didn't want to go too soon. He was very impressive...but so was Census at Newbury!"

1508: Well we probably saw the Ladbrokes St Leger winner - and it's not Seville. Sea Moon wins as he likes from the staying-on Al Kazeem. The favourite a thoroughly beaten third.

1500: I think Seville win win this but can't back him at the price. Others can. He's now odds-on.

1457: Paddock notes, Namibian looks very well and has filled out impressively from last year, Sea Moon is better behaved than when he won here in June, Al Kazeem is well but less sturdy than some of his rivals and won't be beaten for fitness. Seville looks ok without filling the eye while Thimaar is still unfurnished and a work in progress.

1455; Aidan O'Brien here in very expensive sunglasses.

1450: Good to see Mark Thompson is back in the R Hills fan-club. He says: "Glad to report that Richard Hills more than redeemed himself there as Entifaadha is at the centre of my staking plan for today. Got the forecast and if Caledonian Spring had a bit more luck in running would have had trifecta as well. All is forgiven Richard."

Apparently the man currently tweeting as R Hills is a fraud. Which is something of a relief given his last tweet.

1445: Bookmakers impressed with the winner. Entifaadha is 33-1 with Paddy Power for the 2000 Guineas<. Sky Bet are 25s along with Ladbrokes but Hill's and Ladbrokes were more impressed and go 20s.

1440: William Haggas is understandably excited by his Acomb winner. He says: "He's come from a maiden to win this. He wants to win this horse and has a great temperament so has a real chance. I don't know how good the race was those two attributes will stand him in good stead wherever he goes.

"He looks like he'll get a mile. It means a lot to me to have another Stakes winner for Sheikh Hamdan. He may have liked the ground but is a nice horse, who cost a lot of money. He's pretty high up in my two-year-old pecking order at the moment.

"We look to have a nice bunch. A few have won maidens and need to step up and he's done just that. Johnny Murtagh said he was a Group horse when he won his maiden and Richard (Hills) likes him a lot. He's in all the big autumn races and I'll put him in the Grand Criterium too. He has another options to keep him occupied and me excited."

1427: Archbishop wins the best turned out. I really liked the way he travelled through the race at Sandown and the Meehan juveniles always improve significantly for a first run. He'd do for me but I'm watching and savouring.

1424: The money is for Entifaadha. Joseph O'Brien is having his first ride at York aboard Furner's Green. He has a rather busy hour or so coming up.

1423: Paddock notes courtesy of Ian Brindle. Entifaadha amd Balty Boys look primed for today, Furner's Green had two handlers and looks OK and Archbishop is a fantastic long-term prospect.

1420: Tip Top Gorgeous bolts up at Carlisle to boost Satanic Beat's form from the last day here.

1419: In-running carnage for our opener. Favourite Girl trades at 1-100 in-running and Racy 1-33.

1417: Bob Davies says: "Lucky you, Dave. A complimentary buffet at the races is a real get-out-of-jail card for the well-upholstered punter as any betting losses can be offset by gorging on the most expensive items.

"If the Exacta goes down nip back and see if there's any salmon left."

Sadly BD there's not. Afternoon tea at 1530 BST. As a professional I'll be concentrating on the Juddmonte International, with a scone.

1415: Mark Thompson writes: "Can't help but think that a better hold-up jockey than Richard Hills would have won that first race on Kanaf. Again he found trouble in a race where no one else did."

I need to see it again MT but he's definitely finished well having seemed to be slowly away. Could be one for a decent sprint handicap at the Leger Meeting.

1413: Acomb next and first appearance in pre-parade ring suggests they're above-average - no surprise there then.

1407: Well it wasn't supposed to start that way but it does. Secret Asset wins our opener. Winning jockey George Baker feels we have "lovely racing ground" but Jamie Spencer felt it was "dead" and David Allan "tacky".

Kanaf runs well to get as close as he does given he missed the break, along with Ritual.

1350: Ancient Cross just about the paddock pick, and he's in the exacta with winner Ritual, Shropshire and Irish Heartbeat. What a way that would be to start!! Good luck to everyone.

1335: I made a very shrewd move in appointing Vic Chiew who says: "Hope you enjoyed lunch? Anything nice? As your newly appointed Lifestyle coach, I should've advised plenty of red meat with little or no veg...washed down with mildly alcoholic fizzy water.

"Just noticed William Buick is at Nottingham today and has 4 rides....each has a very decent chance. Lucky 15 would be wise ;)"

He missed the opening day of Glorious Goodwood too VC. Johnny G has had small Festival teams of late.

1330: Forgot to say there's been tremendous movement on the lunch front here. Gone are lasagne and pies, in come, cooked meats, whole salmon, salad, quiche and a pork pie with caramilsed onion. All locally sourced. The turkey contained wild game stuffing and was a delight. After Goodwood, the racecourses are really spoiling us. What can Cheltenham do to match the progress? I have one or two ideas for the all-in-one pies.

1325: Good afternoon to C Kelly who writes: "Afternoon dave, as I sit looking out the office on to the A19. I can't but think how twice over is 6.2 and await the dawn 1.83. Maybe you can help?

"Other than that, I have had 3 singles today, 2-30 ENTIFAADHA, 3-05 Seville bet of the meeting. 3-40 Twice Over CD form, its best trip and with the other 2 dropping down in trip its turn of foot will be the key.

"Big shout out to my main man sam barnard who no doubt will bechirping later.vOver and out C Kelly."

1320: RUK are doing roaming features and Ladbrokes' David Williams is now on. He's either been away on holiday or has blood pressure issues. He's crimson.

1315: The ground looks in wonderful condition - and it's being walked by just about every senior trainer and jockey. Silvestre de Sousa just done a quick photo shoot while I was palmed by RUK for William Derby. This team is indeed a cruel world.

1310: Punters' Panel on at the moment and who else would you have on other than Mick Fitzgerald...

1300: Decent crowd building up here today - and the band have moved five feet to the right. Still the same four songs on a loop though. I do enjoy the Last Of The Summer Wine theme...

1247: The Hills twins are walking the course. Richard swerved from the centre of the track to the far rail and Michael followed him.

1245: I agree that Twice Over is potentially a value play in the Juddmonte International but was his win in the Sky Bet Stakes proof that he's back to his best? I'm not convinced.

1240: Good luck to Darren Fleming who is again aiming for retirement today. He says: "Looking forward to Thursday and Friday at the Knavesmire (may even dig out the suit for tomorrow)

"Really good stuff today kind of wishing i had today off too will settle for the blog and C4 coverage via Skyplus when I get home.

"Life changing (well week changing lucky 15 as follows for today. Kanaf - good run at Goodwood in a very hot race last time - hoping compensation awaits today
"Al Khan - impressive at Donny and may be a very decent horse
"Sea Moon - Favourite too short and worth opposing I think.
Twice Over - Leading contenders all closely matched on ratings but TO is 5-1!"

1230: Market moves time form our sponsors Sky Bet.

2.00 York: Rain Delayed (20 from 22s) Ginger Ted (14 from 16s)

The aptly-named Rain Delayed has conditions to suit and is also the Pricewise tip for in-form Tom Segal, while Ginger Ted has been nibbled at to bounce back to form following his Doncaster flop and will appreciate the ground.

2.30 York: Al Khan (9 from 12s) Archbishop (7 from 8s) Fort Bastion (8 from 9s)

A wide-open Acomb Stakes has seen good money flying around for once-raced maiden winners Al Khan and Archbishop, who is reportedly the best juvenile in Brian Meehan's Manton yard.

4.15 York: On The Hoof (10 from 11s) Our Boy Jack (9 from 10s)

On The Hoof, who is owned by Hoof It's owners Chubby Chandler and Lee Westwood, has been backed as if laid out for the meeting on his nursery debut and victory would provide a good omen for their Nunthorpe favourite. Heading the dangers is the progressive Our Boy Jack for the crack Knavesmire team of Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan.

4.50 Eagles Peak (9/4 from 3s) Barren Brook (8 from 9s)

Eagles Peak is thesteamer of the day in the Sky Bet trading room. The Newmarket maiden winner on his sole start is pitched into handicaps off what looks a lenient mark judged on the volume of support.

1225: Stephen Miller is playing with their money today and adds: "Nice win on the footy last night but haven't won on the GGs for too long for a man of my talent. Treble today on: 14.30 Furner's Green15.05 Nambian15.40 Midday Should help pay this month's mortgage when that comes in."

We need all the help we can get in these troubled times SM.

1220: Jeff Banks gets to more racecourses than I do. He's here for the fashion show today. His question is simple. Are you a fashionable dresser? Well are you?

1215: Of the two shorties today I'd be much more tempted to back Seville in the Voltigeur but he's yet to win a Group race and one or two have questioned his appetite for a battle. I'm not one of them..yet.

1210: Stewart Davison writes: "Many may think I need my head checked (I do, but that's another matter) with the below selections, but I assure you there is method to the madness !

"You can put a line through the high drawn horses in the first with all the pace low, leaving Kanaf and Swiss Franc as the 2 strongest selections. I think Now My Sun is too big at 33's for the 2.30 - his time compares favourably with the market principles, and is worthy of a poke. Another that's overpriced is Regent Street (305), who hasn't been disgraced behind Recital, Memphis Tennessee and Banimpire. Can ignore his last run - shouldnt be 33s when Seville is 5/4.

"If all that fails, maybe High Twelve will come home under top weight in the last .... maybe."

1205: Andy In Leeds says: "I think it could be a massive week for young Joseph O'Brien with Await the Dawn looking a good thing today, and he's also due to ride my main Ebor fancy Tactician on Saturday, who I thought was a game winner over C&D last time."

Could easily win the Acomb too A. No wonder there was money around for him to be top jockey earlier in the week.

1200: Talking of hotpot is it lunch time?

1145: Time for the Ord fancies team. In no particular order (other than race time so there is an order) they are:

1400: Ritual with saver on Shropshire
1405: No strong views, tentative vote for Archbishop
1505: No bet but Seville will win from Al Kazeem
1545: No bet but Await The Dawn beats Twice Over
1615: Campanology (nap) wins and goes in exacta with Our Boy Jack, Satanic Beat and West Lake Hare
1650: High Twelve and Ithoughtitwasover each-way against the hotpot.

1130: Good morning to Alex Downey who says: "Once again I get to have your blog keeping me entertained while I'm supposedly working! Not all that far from York either, wish I was going!

"Betting wise it's all about Seville and Midday for me. Seville has the best form on offer and has previously won well at York, behind Carlton House in the Dante. I backed Sea Moon when at York earlier in the year, but I can't follow him again on the back of a handicap win. Although he is clearly well thought of by Sir Michael Stoute.

"Sir Henry Cecil and Aidan O'Brien have won many Group races between them this year and are both double handed in an attempt to win The International. I'm hoping that Midday's big race experience will see her through against the up-and-coming Await The Dawn."

1125: Dunk Frae Scotland says: "Dave, went with 3 outsiders today all eway,strike up the band, last place horse won at mussleburgh yestarday when SUTB won. At Carlisle i can see Lucky numbers running a huge race. Tiger riens in the last at york can make a place. Good luck."

And to you Dunk!

1120: Tom is looking towards the weekend and says: "morning dave,i have just been looking through the decs for friday and fancy green destiny.i think the booking of kieran fallon looks a positive move by william haggas.your thoughts please."

I haven't looked at the race yet T but you can put a line through Green Destiny's run at Goodwood. WH never felt it would suit him - and it didn't. Has to be a player. Michael Hills definitely not getting back on him then.

1117: Rich Lynn adds: "Mmm ... find Ribeye gets a bit sickly nearing the end ... haha

Bapak Chinta not going? That was my fancy too - luckily for once not on ante-post . Might throw a few quid at SDS then on Hannon's Best Terms."

BC reportedly knocked himself in light exercise this morning.

1115: Vic Chiew is my new lifestyle coach. He writes: "I too believe in omens and my take on what happened to you on your journey clearly means you should eat as many bacon sarnies as possible...and as quickly as possible...all before 11.38am.

"Back to todays cards...win bet and ew on each. 2.00: Ritual win, Irish Heartbeat ew, 2.30: Entifaadha win, Moon Pearl ew, 3.05: Seville win, Al Kazeem ew, 3.40: Await The Dawn win, no ew, 4.15: Our Boy Jack win, Bomber Jet ew, 4.50: Eagles Peak win, Club Oceanic ew

"Moon Pearl @ 20's is one i particularly like. Happy punting to all and be lucky!"

1110: Graeme Scott is with us again. He says: "Ey up Dave. York is here again and what a joy to witness those lovely Yorkshire lasses in all their unbridled finery. Two for me today on the equine front.

"Entifaadha in the Acomb, who I backed on it's successful debut in a huge field. I just hope Mr Hills has it handy after the disasterous ride he gave the well touted Firdaws the other day.

Secondly it's gotta be Midday in the International. Back with a bang last time and lets have that G1 flag flying high and proud once again atop Warren Place."

1105: Right - added incentive. Nick Luck has mentioned going on RUK at around 1305 BST to discuss the best emails that have been sent into the blog. My decision will be final.

1100: Andy Hobbs rescues himself - just. He writes: "Technical demons - In my experience, these are mainly found somewhere between the keyboard and chair ...

"Anyway, public congratulations on Lady Kildare's battling victory the other week, the SP of 12/1, let alone the 16's available during the day will surely have filled the pockets of several of the owners. Alas, I was unwilling to believe what I had already publicly declared, that she was better than a rating of 59 and the opportunity passed me by. Will we ever learn?

"Today looks a cracker, you are indeed a lucky man to be there.

"Not sure I can be considered sane for stating that the good thing of the day goes in the lucky last, a 17 runner handicap, and is priced up at a measly 9/4. Has to drift to be a serious bet you'd think, either that or a belly full of decent ale, but seems to have a lot of ticks in the right boxes and anything like a good run from Thimaar againstSeville will see the bookies running for cover.

"The first two races look impossible from a betting perspective, but in the third Seville looks overpriced at odds against. Conversely, Await the Dawn looks one to take on at odds-on in the next - not entirely sure what with, but the beast looks too skinny at the morning prices. The nursery is surely only for the brave, leaving the good thing to end the day on a high.

"If we can watch Seville hose in, and Await the Dawn get turned over, the bulging pockets will likely be turned out on Eagles Peak in the last in a "Bang or Bust" manoevre (I trust you appreciate my tempered turn of phrase for such a public forum).

"Can we have a report on what Ales are avaialble to go with the good weather?"

Cheers for that AH. Lady Kildare is doing us proud isn't she!! Would love it, love it, if Satanic Beat won the nursery for Jedd and Andrea today - and not without a chance either.

1055: The General is on duty and says: "Looks a cracking day today and good luck everyone, just had 4 bets.

"1st race looks almost impossible but GINGER TED's 3rd to Hoof It at York 2 runs back looks good in context and he is out of stall 20 today which could be a bonus. Saver on RAIN DELAYED as messrs Pricewise and Linfoot have tipped it. The Acomb looks a cracker, Ive backed ENTIFAADHA. Good win in a decent time at Newmarket last time and being a half brother to Regal Parade, any cut shouldn't be an inconvenience.

"I've had a decent bet on AWAIT THE DAWN to beat the Cecil pair. I just think his stamina will take over in the last furlong but my best bet is BARREN BROOK in the 450. Fallon for Mick Easterby caught the eye ( Hoof It? ) and he is 2 wins from 2 tried over more than a mile. Cannot see it out of the frame.

"Enjoy looking at the womanly delights of Yorkshire today Dave."

There'll be no enjoyments of anything other than equine flesh thank-you general. Sadly the story of my life.

1050: Bit of breaking news and not good for me - Bapak Chinta not declared for the Nunthorpe.

1040: I can always rely on Rich Lynn who points out: "Steaks should never be kept to a minimum Dave!!"

Rib-eye not fillet for me now RL. I'm a changed man.

1030: Apologies for the lack of updates but been battling technical demons. And I won.

It's great to have Falbrav back and he writes: "Sorry to have missed out on recent blogging but I was in hospital for minor surgery on the first day of Glorious Goodwood. Wasn't bad timing in terms of lying down and watching some of the action (we get Channel 4 on cable over here) but I couldn't get really involved. Can I pose a question? (I guess I just did, but how about another?) Why is Roderic O'Connor 22-1?

"He is not in as a pacemaker so take the actual pacemaker and the other rag out of the equation and you're basically left with 4 runners. To my untrained eye, Await the Dawn took a while to respond at Ascot before blitzing the field and this one looks a bit of a vulnerable odds-on shot back down in trip. I guess a bit of stamina could come into play if Midday, or indeed Twice Over, set sail for home early in the straight. In fact, I can envisage these two duelling for the lead two furlongs out with Roderic O'Connor sitting in their slipstream and Await The Dawn taking time to wind up on the flat track.

" In the end there might be no more than two lengths between the first four and I cansee Roddy just sticking his head out on the line. This wouldn't be the first time a Guineas winner called Rod won the International after disappointing in the Derby. (OK so it was the English rather than the Irish Guineas and the horse in question disappointed in one Derby rather than two but it's still a valid comparison). Answers on a postcard to the usual address if you can name that horse and jockey! Have a great festival and enjoy the wittles."

Cheers F! Sadly Roderic is now a non-runner though. I too thought he was the last remaining piece of value in the race. Back to the drawing board.

1000: Good morning and welcome to the opening day of the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival. Glorious morning, sunshine and a cooling breeze for the rotund gentlemen who have to keep their jackets on.

But do you believe in omens? I do. My journey here involved being stuck behind two tractors and then a lorry carrying crates shed its load on the road in Featherstone. A 45-minute journey took an hour and as a result stakes are to be kept to a minimum.

Wonderful day ahead though and get your thoughts over to daveord55@gmail.com. There was a little give underfoot in the car park, good, good to soft in places I'd say and firm on the tarmac.

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