BRAVE BLUE TAKES YORKSHIRE OAKS

Blue Bunting landed her third Group One triumph with a hard-fought win in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on the Knavesmire. The 1000 Guineas and Irish Oaks heroine kept on stoutly in the hands of Frankie Dettori to hold off the persistent challenge of Vita Nova. The 11-4 favourite, owned by Godolphin and trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni, led over a furlong out to win by three-quarters of a length from Sir Henry Cecil's filly, with Wonder Of Wonders a further three and three-quarter lengths back in third. Dettori said: "She was in season today, so her mind wasn't exactly on the job - she made it really hard work for me. She's never going to be flash - ie winning by a long margin - but she's very hard to pass. Her form all year has been red hot...

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TERMS FARES BEST IN LOWTHER

Best Terms (11-1) stretched her unbeaten record to four with a convincing win in York's Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes. Richard Hannon's decision to keep the Queen Mary winner to her own age and sex, rather than take on her elders in the Nunthorpe Stakes, paid handsome dividends. Richard Hughes had her smartly out of the stalls and she was soon at the head of affairs, followed by Fire Lily. Angels Will Fall and Gamilati never got into contention as Best Terms kept up the gallop to win by two lengths from Fire Lily, with Hello Glory another three and a quarter lengths away third. "She was very good. She's small, but she's not as small as she was - she's grown a bit. We've always said she needed six (furlongs), and she got away with it in the...

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MUSIC ON SONG IN GALTRES

Set To Music (8-1) impressively brought home a four-timer in the EBF "Selkirk" Galtres Stakes at York. Owned by The Queen and trained by Michael Bell, the three-year-old filly took the step up to Listed grade in her stride. Spin proved a belligerent foe with a couple of furlongs to run, but Jamie Spencer always appeared in supreme control. Cracking Lass stayed on along the middle of the track, but Set To Music still had two and a quarter lengths in the locker at the line. Wild Coco, the 11-8 favourite, was disappointing. Bell said: "She's suddenly clicked into gear and I'm thrilled. The way she did it was sensational. "I had pencilled her in for the Prix Vermeille (Longchamp, September 11), but we'll give further thought as to where...

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FALLON HAS HIGH HOPES FOR HOOF

Kieren Fallon believes Hoof It is "something special" as he bids to make the step up from top drawer handicapper to Group One-winning sprinter in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday. Trained not too far away from the Knavesmire by Mick Easterby, the four-year-old has made giant strides during his relatively short career, notably striking three times at York, and adding further colour to the gelding's story is the fact that he is part-owned by golfing pro Lee Westwood and his agent Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler. Fallon said: "He has got a great turn of foot - great speed. The only problem I've had in the last three or four races that I've won on him was trying to find something to give us a lead. I couldn't believe how much improvement...

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BOGART STEALS THE SHOW

Bogart ran out a ready winner of the valuable DBS Premier Yearling Stakes at York for trainer Kevin Ryan and jockey Phillip Makin. Always in the front rank, the youngster led two furlongs out and quickly put a couple of lengths between himself and his rivals. The 17-2 shot skipped clear to score by a length and three-quarters from Miss Work Of Art, with Gerfalcon and Ewell Place dead-heating for third place. Makin said: "He didn't handle the track at Goodwood - the ground was also a bit quick - but he's a really nice horse. He has bags of speed, but I'm sure he'll stay further. He gave me a great feel." Ryan said: "He didn't handle Goodwood at all but Phillip always had a lot of faith in him. He worked him the other day and said to me that...

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POWER A NUNTHORPE DOUBT

Sole Power may not defend his crown in Friday's Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York. A shock 100-1 winner last year, trainer Eddie Lynam fears the ground could be too soft for the four-year-old sprinter. The County Meath trainer is likely to make a late call on whether to let his stable star take his chance. "There's a big doubt about him running because of the ground," said Lynam, speaking from Thursday evening's meeting at Tipperary. Sole Power was around an 8-1 shot to land back-to-back victories in the Group One dash on the Knavesmire. Kingsgate Native will bid to get a largely disappointing season back on track on the Knavesmire. Chris Richardson, managing director of owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: "He'll keep appearing in these...

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REQUINTO FACING TOUGH TASK

David Wachman admits Requinto is facing a tough task against his elders in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday. Following the late withdrawal of leading fancy Bapak Chinta due to a minor injury, the Molecomb Stakes winner is now the sole juvenile in the line-up and will carry just 8st 1lb in the Group One sprint. Wachman said: "He's fine and I'm not too worried about the ground. He's won on a slower surface and seems to be pretty adaptable. He obviously gets the weight from the older horses and two-year-olds have won this before, although it takes a good one to win it." Robert Cowell's pride and joy Prohibit makes his first racecourse appearance since striking in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot over two months ago. The handler...

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MONGAN MASTERCLASS IN INTERNATIONAL

York 14:30 - sportingbet.com Acomb Stakes (Group 3) A taking performance from winner ENTIFAADHA who had to work hard to see off the placed horses but did so with a willing attitude. He isn't the biggest so may lack the scope for improvement of some of his rivals but he is a sharp two-year-old and a race like the Champagne Stakes over this trip may be a better route than the Dewhurst or Racingpost Trophy options; he's entered in lots of races, and got the obligatory Guineas quote directly after this win. He got a nice tow through the race from the keen-going Archbishop and was always well-placed by Richard Hills, although he seemed to find a little trouble around the bend. However once on an even keel he found his stride, and despite being...

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SNOW FAIRY OUT OF YORKSHIRE OAKS

Ed Dunlop's Snow Fairy will not run in Thursday's Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York but is set to run at Deauville on Sunday instead. Dunlop believes the ground at the Knavesmire is too soft for last year's dual Classic winner and instead intends to run her in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville on Sunday. "Having seen how soft the ground has been, I have decided it is too much for Snow Fairy and she will instead go to France at the weekend for the Prix Romanet," he sa...

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TWICE OVER TAKES JUDDMONTE

Twice Over led home stablemate Midday in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. The first two home are both trained by Sir Henry Cecil and there was a terrific battle in the final furlong as both horses drifted to the far rail. Ultimately Ian Mongan on the six-year-old got the upper hand near the line for an 11-2 success, and his fourth Group 1 win. Runner-up Midday (5-2) has shown a tendency to hang in the past and this was in evidence again as she drifted to her left throughout the final two furlongs. Red-hot favourite Await The Dawn held every chance with a furlong to run but the response when asked by jockey Joseph O'Brien was lacklustre and he was soon beaten. Both of the first two home are owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah whose...

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TIMEFORM HAIL SEA MOON DISPLAY

Timeform has provisionally rated Sea Moon 128p after the colt's eight-length win in York's Great Voltigeur Stakes. The margin was the widest in recent years in a race recognised as a trial for the Ladbrokes St Leger, for which Sea Moon is now a short-priced favourite. 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). Sea Moon is now well ahead of the likes of Seville (122), Census (120), Brown Panther (118) and Blue Bunting (118) among possibles for the Doncaster race. The performance also elevated Sea Moon to a prominent position in a strong three-year-old...

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ENTIFAADHA LANDS ACOMB

William Haggas' Entifaadha won the sportingbet.com Acomb Stakes at York. The Dansili colt (7-2 fav) came off the bridle fairly early on under Richard Hills but moved through with a challenge on the far side with two furlongs to go. He had to work hard to see off runner-up Fort Bastion (15-2) and the third home Zumbi (8-1) but was firmly in charge at the line. Caledonian Spring ran on late in the day for a closing fourth and looked unlucky, having been stopped repeatedly in his run. Haggas said about the winner: "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...

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BAKER RISES TO THE OCCASION

George Baker made his only ride of the day at York count as he opened the 2011 Ebor meeting on Secret Asset in the Symphony Group Stakes. Sent off at 16-1, despite winning at Glorious Goodwood and then finishing seventh in the Stewards' Cup later in the meeting, Jane Chapple-Hyam's gelding is a complicated individual but really got going in the closing stages of the sprint to mow down Racy and collect by a neck. "He was actually quite badly in at the weights in the Stewards' Cup but was still only beaten four lengths and I think he has come here a bit overlooked," said Baker. "I came here confident but the plaudits have to go to the yard. "You just have to get him into a rhythm in his own way, but when you can he's quite a useful horse." Bomber...

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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!...

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SIDELINED CHINTA MISSES NUNTHORPE

Bapak Chinta is a surprise absentee from Friday's Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Kevin Ryan's unbeaten Norfolk Stakes winner was towards the top of the betting for the prestigious Group One contest but will not line up on the Knavesmire after suffering a late setback. Ryan said: "He was just doing a very light exercise this morning and as he was cantering, he's struck into himself and given himself a nasty cut on the inside of his hock. "It's nothing serious and the horse is sound, but it wouldn't be fair on the horse, the owner or the punters to run him. "In all probability in three or four days he'll be perfect, but you can't go into a race of this calibre with any doubts at all. "It's very frustrating as all his serious work was...

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FIELD OF NINE FOR GIMCRACK

William Haggas will saddle Justineo as he tries to win back-to-back Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes at York On Friday. The Newmarket maiden winner is among nine confirmed declarations for the six furlong contest, and will face stern opposition from Phoenix Stakes fourth and fifth Lilbourne Lad and Reply. Coventry Stakes sixth B Fifty Two will run following a fine effort in France last time, and will be joined in the line-up by Norfolk Stakes fourth Burwaaz. Maiden winners Diamondhead and Sardanapalus will be joined by Alan Jarvis's Wise Venture, whilst Caspar Netscher completes the fie...

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HILLS HOPING FOR FINAL GLORY

Barry Hills is looking to Angels Will Fall to provide him with one final big-race success in the Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes at York tomorrow. The Lambourn trainer has enjoyed many victories on the Knavesmire over the years and he would love to have one more before he hands over the reins to his son Charlie on Monday. The daughter of Acclamation takes a 100% record to the Knavesmire, having made a winning debut at Windsor followed by a Group Three triumph in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot last month. "She has done absolutely nothing wrong in her two races so far," said Charlie Hills. "This is tougher but she has lots of speed and a really good turn of foot. She was impressive at Ascot and we hope she can go well again. "She's in...

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EXCEL AIMING FOR TOP-LEVEL TRIUMPH

Marco Botti is keen for Excelebration to add a Group One victory to his CV before letting him renew rivalries with unbeaten colt Frankel. Excelebration has won two of his four starts this season, running away with the German 2000 Guineas and beating a clutch of smart older horses in Saturday's Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. His defeats in the Greenham Stakes and in the St James's Palace Stakes have both come at the hands of Sir Henry Cecil's wonder horse. Botti said: "I'm really pleased with how he has come out of the race. He seems very well, he's bouncing and he looks good. "We were obviously quite confident he could run a big race at Newbury, but the manner in which he won was very impressive. "I said he had strengthened up a lot since...

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O'BRIEN HOPING FOR DAWN DELIGHT

Joseph O'Brien appears to hold an outstanding chance of riding his first British Group One winner when he gets the leg-up on Await The Dawn in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. Injury to Ryan Moore and the lack of a stable jockey at Aidan O'Brien's operation has led to the all-conquering trainer turning to a range of other riders and his son has begun to establish himself as one of the first choices. Joseph has already enjoyed success in an Irish Classic when taking the 2000 Guineas with Roderic O'Connor and helped Maybe to land the Group Two Debutante Stakes in impressive style earlier this month. Await The Dawn, who was lightly raced at two and three, looked a star in the making as a four-year-old in the Huxley Stakes at Chester...

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FAHEY: HARRISON BACK TO WORKABLE MARK

Ebor week is huge for our yard, everyone loves Royal Ascot but this is where I need winners. It will be tough but then again it always is. Irish Heartbeat ran better at Doncaster on Saturday and we drop him back to five furlongs for the Symphony Group Handicap, the opening race on Wednesday. The more rain the better for him as it will slow them down a bit. He's been a little disappointing this year but the Doncaster run was a step back in the right direction. We've also declared Johannes but he ran no race in the Great St Wilfrid on Saturday. It if carries on raining he's not 100 per cent certain to run and I'll have to speak to the owners. They'll be keen to go and we'll make a late decision but soft ground would be against him. Our Boy...

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BOOKMAKERS AWAIT THE DAWN

Aidan O'Brien has won two of the last three runnings of the Juddmonte International Stakes - and bookmakers are clearly anticipating Await The Dawn extending his fine record in the 10-furlong showpiece. O'Brien's son Joseph is given the opportunity to claim his first British Group One on clear stable first choice Await The Dawn, who is set to go off at close to even money in the betting. The junior O'Brien has taken advantage of the injury to Ryan Moore and the lack of a stable jockey at Ballydoyle and his father picked him for Await The Dawn, who is lightly raced and has looked a star in the making as a four-year-old in the Huxley Stakes at Chester and the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. The teenager rode his first Classic on Roderic...

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SEVILLE TARGETING VOLTIGEUR VICTORY

Seamie Heffernan is optimistic Seville can secure a deserved first victory of the campaign in the sportingbet.com Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on Wednesday. Having shown smart juvenile form, Aidan O'Brien's son of Galileo was sent off favourite to beat Carlton House in the Dante Stakes at York back in May, but had to make do with the runner-up spot behind the Queen's colt. He failed to reproduce that form in the Derby at Epsom but has bounced back since, claiming second in the Irish Derby and most recently in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp. Seville currently heads ante-post lists for the St Leger at Doncaster next month and bids to cement his place as favourite for the season's final Classic in this recognised trial on the Knavesmire. "We're...

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ACOMB TESTER FOR CHAPPLE-HYAM

Peter Chapple-Hyam looks to continue his mini-revival with a big-race winner as Al Khan takes on a host of unknown quantities in the sportingbet.com Acomb Stakes at York on Wednesday. The popular Chapple-Hyam is operating at a minor fraction of the scale of his 90s pomp when Classics came like London buses, but the stable is flying at the moment with three winners and others running well over the last week. Al Khan collected a maiden at Doncaster last month but faces other well-regarded recent winners like Furner's Green, Balty Boys and Entifaadha in the seven-furlong Group Three. "It's a very tough race - I wish I'd run him somewhere else really!" said Chapple-Hyam. "He's a horse I like a lot and he has obviously improved since Doncaster...

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PRAY FOR RAIN AT 25/1

Aidan O'Brien could be set for a big day with Await The Dawn and Seville prohibitively priced favourites for the feature races on day one of the York Ebor Festival. Both have solid chances but the pair are priced accordingly and though I couldn't take them on I wouldn't be wading in on a lumpy double either. Instead I'll look to the bookends of the card with the opening Symphony Group Handicap a race I particularly want to get my teeth into. The market leaders look vulnerable here with Ritual flopping at Ascot last time and Ancient Cross beaten the last twice at York off 5lb-lower marks. There is a decent chance of one going in at a big price in this contest and the outsider I want on my side is RAIN DELAYED at 25/1. He's presumably that...

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