The Sky Bet Ebor Festival delivered in style and Robbie Lee looks back at some of the standout moments from across the week, plus some eye-catching runners to follow in the future.
Wednesday
Maltese Cross produced one of the performances of the week when powering past Pierre Bonnard in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur to confirm himself a high-class staying prospect and that run looks to make him a major player in the Betfred St Leger.
This was quickly followed by a thrilling renewal of the Juddmonte International, the start of a fantastic week for Andrew Balding. Item found himself in a bit of trouble was able to get his head in front at the right time to deny Almaqam late on to win by a head. The two market leaders, Ombudsman and Constitution River, never landed a blow, the former reportedly being unsuited by the testing conditions.
Dylan Browne McMonagle landed his first career York winner after Small Fry won the Sky Bet Stayers Handicap to continue the great season for trainer Joseph O’Brien. The gelding was always doing enough when he hit the front and denied the bottom weight in the field Mountain Road.
Thursday
The day began with a textbook ride from Billy Loughnane onboard Libertango, who got back to winning ways when landing the Sky Bet Lowther for trainer George Boughey.
Sun Goddess was a class above in the Harry’s Half Million when winning by six lengths under Ryan Moore for her Coolmore connections. She already landed a big pot just 11 days before when winning the Group One Keenland Phoenix Stakes and added another decent prize to her name.
Andrew Balding stole the show from here, winning four of the last five races. The highlight of his day was Kalpana winning the Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks, when just getting the better of Sparan Nua, again for Colin Keane and Juddmonte.
Friday
Al Nayyir put up a big performance to land the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup under William Buick to deny Illinois in an exciting renewal of the marathon contest. The eight-year-old found another gear to win the Group Two by a length.
A big winner for the north followed this with Arapaho Gold winning the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack for Michael Dods. Connor Beasley gave the winner a great ride and the gelding found plenty in the final furlong to win by just under a length.
The Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes was won in incredible fashion by the American-raider Bacio. He broke sharply and showed his blistering pace to win by over a length from Starlust. Ridden to victory by Juan Hernandez and trained by Wesley Ward, this was a renewal which will be remembered for a long time.
Joseph O’Brien landed his second winner of the Festival when Benjamin Hornigold made a striking debut to land the British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden by two lengths. Another winner on the board for Colin Keane, the son of Blackbeard looked a potentially smart prospect for the future.
Saturday
The recent Coral Golden Mile winner Archivist improved again to win the Sky Bet Strensell Stakes in impressive fashion as he stormed seven lengths clear of the field to win the Group-three contest under Callum Rodriguez.
Despite concerns about the ground, Notable Speech was an assertive winner of the Sky Bet City Of York stakes to add another Group One victory to his CV. William Buick’s mount was nearly three lengths clear of Lake Forest and a repeat of that performance will give him a big chance when heading back to the Breeders' Cup.
Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay landed the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor under a fine Rossa Ryan ride to just deny Hopewell Rock. The gelding followed up his Royal Ascot success to land another big handicap for the renowned jumps trainer.
The John Smith’s Cup winner Raammee followed up his success to land another big handicap at York, landing the final race of the Festival for Roger Varian and Ray Dawson under top weight.
FIVE TO FOLLOW
MANXMAN - Fifth, Sky Bet Stayers Handicap
Returning after 351 days off the track, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained runner shaped with plenty of promise before tiring late on. James Doyle’s mount travelled strongly and still looked in contention at the two-furlong marker before his effort faded. He should improve for the run and could be worth following through the autumn.
GOD GIVEN TALENT - Fourth, Sky Bet Nursery
After slightly missing the break, Tom Marquand found himself in last in the early stages and waiting for room around two furlongs out to make his move. After being switched inside to find daylight, this William Haggas-trained colt found plenty late on to power home for fourth. The son of No Nay Never looks well up to winning off his current mark and is worth keeping onside.
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SPEED OF SOUND - Third, Harry’s Half Million By Goffs
This was a very good performance from the Richard Spencer-trained filly who looked to be going well at the two-furlong pole under Saffie Osbourne. She stuck to her task and showed a good attitude to finish third and she potentially looks one who could be winning races at a fair level in the future.
RISING TIGER - Fourth, Mews Hotel Ossett EBF Stallions Nursery
From stall 21, Oisin Murphy was forced to race wide aboard this Andrew Balding-runner who travelled strongly for much of the race. The colt did pick up well and looked the main threat to the eventual winner at the furlong pole but his effort wasn’t sustained as he was passed by two rivals late on to finish fourth. There looks to be improvement to come and plenty to like about his current mark.
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Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsBEYLERBEYI - Fifth, Sky Bet Ebor
It seemed another partially luckless run from the Ian Williams-trained runner who was an unfortunate fourth in the Betway Trophy last month at Newmarket. Drawn in 21 and missing the break forced Clifford Lee to drop him in last and, with plenty to do, the six-year-old passed rivals steadily and stayed on strongly to finish fifth. Last year's Cesarewitch winner could look to defend his crown and may be up to the task.
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