YORK’S Ebor Festival is about as good as it gets for fans of the Flat.
Enable may have been re-routed to Kempton, but the big names and fascinating clashes are endless. Here are some of the best you can look forward to.
The Yorkshire Oaks – Thursday
Aidan O’Brien parked his tanks early on the Knavesmire and his ploy worked with Enable now heading elsewhere for her Arc prep.
Love could be the best horse O’Brien has trained. She has a way to go, but she has been electric at three so far this season.
Even Ryan Moore has talked her up all season, not something he tends to do.
It’s a blow to punters hoping to see the big two clash before the Arc. But then again it adds even more spice to their dates with destiny in France.
Love has swept away anything in her path this season – with a Classic double already in the bag – but she may face some cut in the ground for the first time.
Rain is forecast for much of next week, with thunderstorms a possibility over the weekend.
She’ll go off a very short price for this and O’Brien will be hoping she doesn’t have too hard a race.
But if she is to be the next superstar, this should prove nothing more than a piece of work.
Whether much decides to take her on is up in the air, but if she’s scaring off Enable, it will take some brave trainers to throw their hats into the ring.
The Ebor Handicap – Saturday
After antepost favourite Hamish was ruled out through injury, the market looked as wide-open as you’d expect.
The million pound prize may have been cut due to COVID – but it’s still the handicap everyone wants to win.
Saying that, these days it’s only a handicap in name and you need a horse rated in the mid-100s to even get in.
Long gone are the days of lining one up for it!
Roger Varian’s Fujaira Prince is the one the punters like the look of.
He’s not been seen since his win at Royal Ascot and you can bet your bottom dollar this has always been the plan.
Irish raider Sharjah could be one to keep an eye on if he takes his chance.
And Sir Mark Prescott’s Flymetothestars has not been seen for three years, but was sent off favourite for this race in 2017. It would be some training performance from the Baronet.
Juddmonte International – Wednesday
Always one of the races of the season, this year’s renewal looks no different.
Ghaiyyath, one of the world’s best, will be the name on everyone’s lips after his two breathtaking wins.
Trainer Charlie Appleby has ironed out the kinks that stopped him from becoming top-class in past seasons and he is simply a monster on his day.
He’ll go hard from the front and it’s a case of catch me if you can.
But he faces some new opposition and fair play to connections of Kameko who once again aren’t shying away.
Their Guineas winner will step up to ten furlongs after his agonising run in the Sussex Stakes.
Throw into the mix John Gosden’s Lord North and Aidan O’Brien’s Magical and you have yourself a serious midweek treat.
Great Voltigeur Stakes – Wednesday
Another opening day blockbuster, the renowned St Leger trial sees talking horse Darain put his credentials to the test.
On paper, Qatar Racing’s 3.5 million buy should be the real deal. And so far it’s been smooth sailing with two easy novice wins.
The full brother to Too Darn Hot puts his unbeaten record on the line though, upped in class in this Group 2.
Trainer John Gosden has always maintained he was a work in progress horse and the results of that will be plain for all to see on the Knavesmire.
William Haggas – always quick to point out his Yorkshire roots – will likely run St Leger hope Al Aasy.
Aidan O’Brien always has a runner or two and he could rely on Mogul, while William Muir will re-route Pyledriver here after they decided against heading to Germany.
Nunthorpe Stakes – Friday
Star sprinter Battaash has been a revelation this year and all eyes will be on the clock again as another track record could fall.
Silent racecourses have played into Charlie Hills’ sprinters hands. He tended to beat himself before the race was run with his parade ring antics.
Now he goes to post like an angel and nothing has been able to live with him over a flying five furlongs since last year’s breathtaking win.
Jockey Jim Crowley is having a season to remember and he’ll be hoping his boy Battaash delivers in the big stage once again.
He’ll have to give lumps of weight away to some quick juveniles. Wesley Ward’s Golden Pal could be a danger, as could Ger Lyons’ Frenetic.
The biggest threat may lie closer to home with Tim Easterby’s exciting Art Power.
The three-year-old is unbeaten this season and took the sword to a strong Group 3 field in Ireland.
