Live horse racing blog: News, reviews and replays from York's Ebor Festival

• Snowfall dominates Yorkshire Oaks
• Going changed to good, good-to-firm in places
• Doyle's Forbearance pays dividends
• Harrow strikes for Oisin Murphy
• 28/1 Cruyff scores for Punting Pointers
• Ever Given lands Sales pot
• Zain delight for Dawson

All times BST, please refresh for updates

1727: That is it for the day.

I'm quite enjoying listening to Walsh and Dixon discussing the run of Improvised and neither is backing down from their contrasting views.

It's a game of opinions and there will be more tomorrow.

There has to be a grave doubt about Trueshan lining up but it's a cracking card nonetheless with the Gimcrack and the Nunthorpe, the Convivial Maiden and a couple of handicaps to get your teeth into.

I hope you'll join me then but it's goodbye for now and thank you for your company.

Almost.

Atzeni: "She's a filly with a high cruising speed but when I let her down she lengthened. She seems to be getting better with racing. Who knows how good she can be?

"It's definitely on the quick side of good but it's safe and she travelled well into it. I think she can (go up in grade). Why not?

"I've got some nice rides. Try again with Fujaira Prince in the Ebor, there weren't many options for him but he likes it here and he seems to have come on since his last run. I'm looking forward to getting back on him."

And now, I will take my leave.

1717: Agincourt is in shot and going to post. Good news.

Spirit of Bermuda refused to start a few outings to go but has turned the corner in no uncertain terms; early in her career it looked as though she would be competing in pattern races and it would be no surprise if that is where she ends up by the end of this season or next. She's a little way to go at the moment with a rating of 89.

The market has settled down with Spirit of Bermuda at 10/3 from Improvised, Sweet Enough and Star of Emaraaty. There has been a move for Rising Star though, she's 13/2 from 17/2.

Martin Dixon is pretty sweet on Sweet Enough. He's concerned about the wide draws for Spirit of Bermuda and Improvised. Luck is with Star of Emaraaty and Dixon concurs that she will run well.

Slightly uneven break. Improvised prominent but wide, Star of Bermuda tracks her. Rising Star and Improvised. Final furlong, Sweet Enough challenges and holds Improvised.

Rising Star third from Star of Emaraaty who flashed home.

That's a hat-trick for the winner who was returned at 5/1. Improvised was in the firing line throughout and may have had to use plenty of energy in the early stages of the race from her wide draw, she only gave best in the final half furlong.

She broke well but was reigned back in behind the early pace by Andrea Atzeni before tracking the eventual second and third, she had to pull round them to challenge but was always nicely placed.

1710: Sweet Enough has got quite warm but apparently the temperature has markedly increased through the day so it may not be a negative.

She's been reasonably strong in the market and is third favourite - none of the top three are showing signs of weakness in the ring.

Hislop thinks Arabian Romance is still on a handy mark despite a rise for winning at Leicester. She's trained by Kevin Phillipart de Foy who has made a fine start to his career.

Agincourt has thrown Danny Tudhope. She may have stumbled. That was in the paddock. She's been taken to the pre-parade ring to be checked over by the vets, the doctor is with Tudhope.

Separate looked well according to Walsh.

The field have made their way to post with the exception of Agincourt, we await news on her participation or otherwise.

1700: When talk moved to the official change in the going, Walsh chimed in with "Fancy that!"

He's been adamant that it has been on the quicker side of good from the get-go of the festival.

Once again the first two home were towards the inside of the course at York although they did drift towards the middle a little around two out. It was a little surprising to see the field fanning out towards the stands' side at one point as the race unfolded.

Spirit Of Bermuda and Illustrating are drawn out in 12 and 14 (three non-runners) so their pilots will have their work cut out from their wide draws in the closing British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Handicap.

Simon Holt tipped up the Haggas runner but I think this may well have been a long-term plan for Illustrating who is owned by Clipper Logistics who sponsored the mile handicap; her trainer David O'Meara has won this race on a couple of occasions.

Separate has been tipped up on these pages too and I like the look of her at a price with the headgear change and drop in the handicap the main angle.

They are in the paddock.

1654: Fran Berry hasn't been writing for us this week but he did put up this winner on Racing TV this morning and I hope a few of you followed him in.

"I think it's the quick side of good, there's been a breeze here all day and it's drying out," Doyle tells Hislop.

"She's just been improving with each run and stepping back to a mile and a half today, it was just get her settled."

She didn't seem very confident that she would be riding Trueshan in the Lonsdale tomorrow.

She gave due praise to Forbearance's attitude, commenting that it's been hard to make up ground today but that her filly made up a lot of ground and then proved tough when challenged - Doyle thought she was beaten on more than one occasion.

I hadn't appreciated Tom Marquand was on the second.

Bragging rights.

1640: "A little bit of a doubt," is Dixon's summary about underfoot conditions for Amma Grace but the overall view of her chance is positive. The majority of the field are at the start.

He is keen on Portfolio. Apparently the time of her latest start was good and he thinks the Newmarket form is decent for the grade.

The ground has changed to good, good-to-firm in places.

Simon Holt put up Abstinence at 7/1 in his column yesterday. She's drifted back out to 6s now as money comes for several of these, including Dubai Fountain who is alongside Abstinence in the market.

Abstinence is causing trouble at the start. Rob Hornby was out of the saddle but is now back on board; she may not get too many more chances. She's not budging at present. Most of the field have gone in while they've been asking Abstinence to go forward.

Abstinence was withdrawn having refused to enter the stalls.

Portfolio leads, Amma Grace in fourth on the inside. I think I heard Cattermole say one or two of them jumped the path just as Murphy revealed after the last.

Goldie Hawk is in third alongside the Godolphin runner. Vesela is prominent but the field are making their moves. Forbearance has hit the front. She's strongly challenged by Domino Darling, photo.

Ooh, on the nod.

Far side which is Forbearance according to the presenting team. Number 9 was third. That was Glenartney.

2.27.24 was the unofficial winning time which is well under standard.

The result is called and Forbearance has won.

1633: This morning Fran Berry suggested that Amma Grace is better with cut in the ground and while this surface may not be enough to prevent her winning, it is a possible negative.

Berry thought Forbearance could go well under these conditions and Doyle gave her quite a positive write up on her blog.

Two runners have attracted sustained support against her and they are Abstinence and Portfolio; the latter had to challenge away from the principals at Newmarket last time and took a while to get into her stride having not looked entirely at ease in The Dip.

This looks quite a deep race for the grade.

I'm particularly interested to see if Dubai Fountain can get close to the form she showed earlier in the season when winning at Chester. She disappointed when a late springer in the market for the Oaks and hasn't been all that much better since. She's been off for over a month which isn't the sort of break that many of Mark Johnston's enjoy (seemingly, I can't back that up) and may have benefitted from it.

1625: Murphy will be fancied by a good many people to land a quick double courtesy of Amma Grace in the British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes.

He seemed pretty keen on her in his column and Dermot Weld has won this prize a couple of times.

"It was a slog this morning, I haven't done that light for quite some time and I didn't quite make the 8-4; I put up a pound overweight so thank you to connections for allowing me to keep the ride," he says of Harrow on Racing TV.

"He had an uninterrupted run and things panned out nicely. On his homework we always liked him and he won a very competitive nursery there."

I didn't quite catch all of it but he did mention that on the turn, horses don't always see the road which can cause them to jump it and land on all fours. He said that happened to him in the Acomb yesterday so that replay might be worth watching.

On Desert Dreamer's run in the Sky Bet Lowther he said: "My saddle just slipped to the side but I don't think it cost her, she managed to stay on for third which was fantastic."

1620: It was a dead-heat for second as the top three in the market dominated the finish of that nursery.

If you're looking for Alflaila, he's wide left on the clip above. Don't forget you can add horses to our free tracker, My Stable, if you so wish and while we're on the subject......

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1607: At the post for the OR8Wellness EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap.

Maglev is 11/4 and perfectly well drawn in four.

Walsh liked the look of the favourite in the parade ring while Caio Shark also caught his eye but Dixon is concerned about the ground for that one.

Harrow is also well drawn and has been backed this morning; he'd be an each-way bet for me at 6s given I'm not overly keen on opposing this favourite.

Dixon throws in Outgate at 'a huge price' saying he was really impressive at Wolverhampton before getting beaten in what he thinks was a good race at Yarmouth.

There's money for Alflaila but not for Neptune Legend who dictated matters at Newmarket; I quite liked Hugo Palmer's runner but he's been easy to back. He has pulled off a near fore shoe and will run without it.

Dascombe won yesterday's nursery with one near the top of the weights and he saddles Mr McCann who has been keeping good company of late.

Off and away. The favourite is in midfield and being ridden. He's picked up for pressure. He's come through with Harrow.

Alflaila finished well from some way back and on a completely different part of the track to force a photo for second.

Good race, good battle. Maglev came under pressure from a long way back. Bastogne was fourth for David Evans.

The winner was returned at 6/1.

Alflaila can be marked up because he was right out on the stands' side where no one has wanted to be over the first two days.

1554: The majority of the ITV Racing team have their umbrellas up (Cumani the exception) so the light shower has materialised. That may not be bad news for the clerk of the course and the groundstaff.

Chamberlin has taken his brolly down so it can't have been very heavy but may just have restored a little moisture ahead of the nursery in about 15 minutes time.

They are just showing a replay of the Oaks and she did win that race with ridiculous ease.

Here's O'Brien: "It was the logical thing to do to come here with her. She's very relaxed, very professional, she quickens very well and it doesn't matter what ground with her. It's great to have her really.

"Ryan said she was following Frankie but Frankie started coming back and he saw William going so he went after him and got there way to early. Ryan was very impressed with her.

"I was a little bit taken back by her in the parade ring, how well she had done, she should improve from that physically. She's changing from being a baby three-year-old into a mature three-year-old and by the Arc comes around she'll be changing into a four-year-old.

"They (the lads) will decide what they want to do really.

"She has all the things you would like to have. A beautiful mind you know. Everything has always gone very smooth this year, she had a few blips last year but it might have worked in her favour as she learned plenty. It's really showing now, the miles that she covered last year - it's very interesting the way it happened really.

"She is behaving like a filly a little bit older than that, she seems to have the maturity of a four-year-old filly already which is unusual. You could only imagine having a filly like her as a four-year-old.

"Love won first time out this year. She is a high-tempo pace filly. The tempo wasn't strong enough in the King George and we came here with the idea of making the running but as the gates opened she jumped up in the air and Ryan ended up behind Kevin.

"Ryan decided to stay behind Snowfall but maybe Kevin's horse didn't go fast enough for her. She ended up having to start quickening in the middle of the race. That's what we think and we think there's plenty more to come from here. She seems to come out of the race well and we feel we haven't seen the best of her yet.

"When she gets a strong tempo, we think we will see a better filly. We're on the way back. She won't mind travelling and she loves good ground."

An update on St Mark's Basilica follows and he is on the mend with O'Brien hopeful he might be back for Irish Champions weekend.

1552: Hislop has caught up with Moore.

"It felt like it was a truly run race, I was behind Eshaada and Loving Dream and they weren't able to sustain the gallop from halfway and I thought I ought to have William covered and she was there very quickly.

"The race as as good as over from four to be honest, she felt exceptional today. She was very, very good.

"I thought Wonderful Tonight was a genuine top level performer and maybe we didn't see the best of her today for whatever reason but she keeps winning her races well and you can't ask her for anymore than that.

"Love probably had more of a straightforward task last year than Snowfall today but she was exceptional today and has been for her last three runs."

He seems pretty taken with her and why not? She handles quick ground and she handles soft ground. Three-year-old fillies have an excellent recent record in the Arc, is she past the post?!

1540: William Buick looked after Wonderful Tonight once her chance had gone; I don't suppose we will see her in action on good / quick ground again.

The winning time was 2.26.61 (I think).

Snowfall is 9/4 from 7/2 with Sky Bet for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

I struggle to keep up with Aidan O'Brien: "She's a lovely filly, always done everything very easy, quickens well, travels well and gets there very easy. Looking forward to the Arc. She always worked like a very good filly.

"I will see what the lads want to do but it's possible that she could (have another run before the Arc)."

Oli Bell and Ryan Moore have to compete with some music blaring out over the PA system; the look on Moore's face as it started up just after the first question was priceless.

They struggled to make themselves heard to each other (and me!) to some extent but this was some of what Moore had to say:

"She's exceptional. The race fell apart very quickly. She was left on her own with two and a half to run. She's improved since I last rode her."

There will be more later.

1533: There is some 1/2 Snowfall in the betting ring where she is also as short as 4/11.

Paddock expert Ken Pittersen tells Oli Bell: "The favourite looks really well. she's all quality.

"I think Eshaada is the main danger and looks better than when I saw her last. Wonderful Tonight looks well enough."

Wonderful Tonight goes forward into her stall......La Joconde leads the field out of them.

Cattermole calls Wonderful Tonight as racing keenly, she's in a share of second along with Divinely. Snowfall has Albaflora behind her. Wonderful Tonight settled into third about two lengths and two lengths now. They are past halfway.

Snowfall is about four lengths behind her rival, Moore pulls wider on the track and closes. Buick also goes for home, they're racing a long way out. Snowfall is going to dot up with two furlongs to run.

She has hosed up. Albaflora second from La Joconde and Wonderful Tonight.

The winner was returned the 8/15 favourite.

Four of the last five furlongs were sub 12 second furlongs according to Martin Dixon who believes that she is still getting better.

1527: Walsh and Hislop are suggesting that Divinely could run into the money as she's a strong stayer.

Loving Dream benefited from being ridden positively when winning the Ribblesdale from Eshaada.

Front runners have been enjoying themselves at York so far this week so perhaps it's not beyond the realms of possibility that she can confirm the form. They are closer in the betting now than has been the case for much of the morning.

Albaflora has been pretty disappointing this season having been quite well tipped up for the Coronation Cup at Epsom and, to a lesser extent, in her subsequent outings. She has course form and form on good ground (despite a perceived preference for soft) and perhaps she could outrun her odds.

There is a little money for her now but with only seven runners you need to get one of the big two out of the frame.

Loving Dream took a bit of a fall on the way to post apparently but Frankie Dettori is back in the saddle and the pair look quite happy as they make their way to post.

1519: Cumani is highlighting the weight-for-age allowance which sees Snowfall receive 9lbs from her elders.

The older horses to have won the Darley Yorkshire Oaks in the last 10 years are Enable, The Fugue and Shareta who was trained in France by Alain de Royer-Dupre.

That would be a fair list for Wonderful Tonight to add her name to.

The Timeform pace map which I posted earlier indicated that there wasn't likely to be a strong pace but the experts this morning suggested that the big two would both need a decent gallop to show their best form.

La Joconde is widely expected to make the running so there's plenty on the shoulders of Hollie Doyle who performed a similar role in the Dante earlier this season when riding Roman Empire.

Doyle wrote in her At The Races blog: "Even though I ride outsider La Joconde, who will be relied upon to set a strong gallop, it means such a lot to be recognised by such a great trainer and just to have a ride in such a strong Group 1 is a real buzz in itself."

Snowfall is a little late into the paddock and is 'not the type of horse that makes you go wow' opines Cumani before admitting that her performances on the track have done.

1511: It's time for the big one and money continues to come for Wonderful Tonight.

There have been strong opinions on both sides of the Snowfall / Wonderful Tonight argument through the morning - something will have to give.

Snowfall is 4/9 with her market rival 7/2 and it's then all the way out to 12/1 and Eshaada.

I've enjoyed following the progress of Wonderful Tonight and enjoyed listening to David Menuisier so it would be great to see her win but the Arc is her principal target and the underfoot conditions a question mark if not a concern (Menuisier isn't worried).

This will also be the quickest ground that Snowfall has encountered so the underfoot conditions are not a one horse argument and there seems little doubt that she faces a stiffer examination facing her elders for the first time.

Are the three-year-old fillies any good? Is she head and shoulders above her peers anyway.

They are two of the top half dozen in the Arc de Triomphe betting and the ante-post market could be shaken up.

1501: Loading for the Clipper Logistics Handicap - good luck!

Astro King and La Trinidad break well from their wide draws with the former getting a particularly good spot to sit in second. La Trindidad is a little wide but in the first half dozen as they go past halfway.

Magical Morning travels well. Cruyff Turn wins from Magical Morning and Astro King and the winner was always to the fore, nothing got involved from off the pace and third home Astro King was outpaced before rallying. Similar comments apply to La Trinidad who appeared to lack tactical pace.

It's a second winner of the week for David Allan and Tim Easterby.

That will be one for the sectionalistas to analyse but the first three were all in the first six in the first furlong.

Hats off to David Massey who put the winner up for our Punting Pointers column.

The winning time was 1.36.03.

1453: Francesca Cumani is very taken with La Trinidad in the paddock.

Roger Fell's runner has won his last two course starts and has the assistance of Sporting Life columnist Oisin Murphy in the saddle.

Walsh suggests the draw in 17 is the only negative for Astro King but colleagues Luck and Dixon believe there are no obvious reasons that he should improve on his latest performance.

Luck says 'I'm quite keen on Ametist and definitely think he's going to improve for the step up this far'. Apparently Haggas had expressed such concerns about the seven furlong trip for him earlier in the season to the extent that Luck was surprised he ran him in the Bunbury Cup. Dixon is concerned about his draw in 19 though.

Chapman is in the betting ring and doesn't say much before signing off with 'it's too hard for me'.

Dixon has ruled out La Trinidad on account of his draw in 20. He says you've got to whittle down the field somehow in these big field handicaps, you can win from there but he doesn't like a high draw over a mile here and he wants one in the bottom half.

He did put up Cliffs of Capri earlier and he's breaking from 9.

1446: Dascombe runs Gifted Ruler in the upcoming race and tells Hislop:

"He's always flattered to deceive a bit as we thought he was very good; we've given him plenty of time and he needs to start pulling it out."

There has been a bit of money around for the bottom weight who is about 12/1 at present. He's moving up to a mile and could conceivably improve for the longer trip. His trainer didn't exactly fill us with confidence though.

William Haggas runs Irish Admiral, who hasn't quite gone on since early season promise, and Ametist who was a beaten favourite in the Bunbury Cup last time. Astro King was a beaten favourite in the John Smith's Cup over 10 furlongs last time but returned lame and drops back to a mile.

I put up Orbaan at Goodwood and he's a course and distance winner who is handicapped to go well but he was 66s the last day and only about 12s for this race. Given his running style, he'd need to get close to doubling in price for me to be interested again. Expect Jamie Spencer to be arriving late on the scene.

1432: Danny Tudhope was aboard the winner who ran fairly straight today.

He's with Oli Bell and says: "He's very tough, he's got a lovely attitude. I was a bit concerned about the ground today and this just shows you how tough he is."

"He doesn't say a lot," says Jason Weaver of the winning jockey, "uses one word instead of ten".

The winning time was 1.10.74.

Former footballer Michael Owen is involved with the winner and is all smiles as he talks to Matt Chapman.

Chapman tracks down Dascombe: "I'm just thrilled for the horse. He's tough. He's had three big races in 20 days and he doesn't let me down.

"I love him."

1420: They're arriving at the start with Ever Given the 3/1 favourite.

Korker, System and Wings of War are 5s and it is 10/1 bar.

Luck and Dixon don't believe that this is a one-sided race by any means and aren't ruling out a shock. The latter points out that the favourite can hang left as he did at Naas last time where he looked 'a difficult ride'. He is drawn low but will still give ground away if he hangs over to the inside rail.

Cause for concern?

"That's the horse I liked in the paddock. Big, strong powerful son of Dark Angel. Loads of quality about him. Lovely looking horse," is Dixon's response to being prompted about Wings of War.

Kevin Ryan is on ITV and says: "They're all very well and take their chance. They waited a while to see if he was a decent horse before we put that name on him (he says of Smullen)."

There's a little support for Mojomaker.

Not too many left to load.

Mike Cattermole will call them home. Lots of pace on the inside. Wings of War has got across towards the middle.

The winner is Ever Given. Just.

Atomic Lady and Wings of War in close attendance and they were five clear of Symphony Perfect and Mojomaker and Oh Herbert's Reign.

Luck says 'I'm inclined to think quite positively about the first three'.

The winner was returned at 3/1. Dixon thinks his fancy could have won if he had run straight.

1414: I'm going to throw Symphony Perfect into the ring.

She's one of Richard Hannon's runners and the stable seem to have more obvious claims elsewhere but she's an each-way price and could hit the extra places. You need to forgive her Newmarket nursery defeat but her form in the Super Sprint is very solid and she has plenty of pace which is never a bad thing at this track.

She finished just in front of Delmona at Newbury having finished second to that one (who is trained, like Ever Given, by Tom Dascombe) at Bath earlier in the season. After Newbury, Delmona was just a neck behind Zain Claudette and Desert Dreamer in an Ascot Group Three and has placed in two further Listed races.

Symphony Perfect looks well enough drawn in nine.

There are more sensible views to follow.

1406: The Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes over the same course and distance is next. Will we see the winner coming home hard up against the stands' rail?

I would suggest not but the draw regularly mocks us at Royal Ascot.

Mohammed is talking about Zain Claudette and mentions the Guineas, he's in no doubt that she'll get the trip, but the Cheveley Park comes first where Sandrine should also be in the line-up. That promises to be a fascinating rematch. For what it's worth, Mohammed was very confident about his filly's chances today.

The top two in the betting for the Sales race are drawn in six and four so there should be no excuses on that front for them. Wings Of War is out on the wing in 16 and seems to be fairly easy to back. He may need some magic from Adam Kirby in the saddle.

1356: Walsh is suggesting that Murphy may have lost his balance on Desert Dreamer but adds that there must have been a reason. On ITV Jason Weaver suggests that his saddle went and he was lucky to stay on board.

She would have finished closer to the first two but wouldn't have won.

Meanwhile Oli Bell is with the winning jockey who says: "She's improved with every run and deserved to win that.

"She's so straightforward and really relaxed, I can't thank Ismail (Mohammed, trainer) and the owner enough for giving me the opportunity. This means the absolute world to me, it means more than I can ever say."

The winning time was 1.10.46.

More from Dawson who is now with Hislop.

"She's an absolute gem, a dream of a filly. It's just incredible, it really is. She's just so tough, she gives you 150%, with every run she's surprising us with her work, she's getting better and better. She worked incredibly well at the weekend but I didn't want to get too excited.

"I thought there would be a little bit too much pace for me early on but she pinged the stalls and travelled so sweetly I didn't want to take her back so it didn't go to plan! This is her trip for now but she will get further, I struggled to pull her up.

"I think she's going to go for the Cheveley and then we'll go from there. She's very, very exciting."

He comes across as being a very likeable young man.

1349: News coming through that Roger Varian has taken Ascension out of the Clipper Logistics Stakes because of the ground which means both of Value Bet's selections for the mile handicap are nons.

Almost set for the Sky Bet Lowther.

Sandrine was towards the rear early and was produced to challenge towards the stands' side which with the benefit of hindsight may not have been the place to be.

Ray Dawson gave a celebratory punch as Zain Claudette won by about three parts of a length.

Desert Dreamer edges a four way go for third but Luck is suggesting her tack may have gone.

The far side and middle were favoured yesterday and that's where the winner ended up but she did begin her challenge in the same place as the favourite who travelled well but who didn't appear to break that sharply and may always have been a little bit further back than ideal. The winner, in contrast, was always front rank.

Walsh believes missing the break cost Sandrine.

1341: "I think she's the best bet in the race, I think she's the best bet on the card," says Walsh.

"I don't see any negatives."

He's talking about Sandrine. Are you with him?

Is Desert Dreamer the proverbial each-way bet to nothing at 5/1? She's so consistent and there seems to be no obvious reason why she won't be on the premises again.

No one seems keen to take on this favourite although Martin Dixon did throw out a line for Desert Dreamer earlier, we should hear from him shortly.

He is questioning whether Sandrine will be as effective over this faster, sharper six furlongs. That appears to be the angle. He also felt Desert Dreamer should have finished closer to her at Newmarket where Sandrine stole a couple of lengths. He believes this track will suit Desert Dreamer more than the July Course.

1333: Andrew Balding has confirmed that Alcohol Free will drop back to a mile after failing to stay 10 furlongs in yesterday's Juddmonte International.

“Going up to a mile and a quarter was always going to be a punt,” said Balding.

“She looked like she had come there and was only going to be beaten a couple of lengths into second. Having looked like she was going to get placed, she didn’t quite get home over the last 100 yards, but we have learned something from it.

“She was fine this morning. She will have a little holiday now as she has been busy enough.

“She is entered in the Sun Chariot, but the plan is to come back and have a go at the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day.”

He will be hoping for a better outcome to the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes and his nerves will, presumably, be building as the off time approaches. Sandrine is 5/4 and 11/8 on the boards with morning mover Outside World around 15/2.

Shinners is back on Racing TV with Luck and trots out the 'literally the world is her oyster' line (which will only make sense if you watched them yesterday or read this) and Luck passes over it with a pained smile.

Harrow gets a mention as a market mover, there are a fair few on the list but I don't think there was anything screaming to be mentioned that hasn't already been.

1329: David Evans has saddled the first winner at Chepstow and he's also represented at York where you could argue Bastogne is too big a price in the nursery.

He finished a half length third at Goodwood behind Aswan (7/1) with Value Bet selection Whitefeathersfall (12/1) back in ninth yet he can be backed at 33/1.

It's not as if he enjoyed the run of the race at the Glorious meeting either but there are clearly no expectations for him this afternoon as he was put in at 12s initially.

For what it's worth, I was quite keen to take a dim view of the Goodwood form as far as today's race was concerned and look elsewhere for the winner.

1318: Dixon has put up Cliffs Of Capri in the Clipper Logistics Handicap as one that could go well at a price while Luck nominates Oh Herberts Reign in the Sales race.

There's another vote for Atomic Lady in the latter contest with Dixon highlighting her chance.

There will be more from them through the afternoon.

They're back in the studio where Casey has been joined by Dave Nevison who doesn't bet in group races but who says that 2/5 Snowfall 'doesn't look bad to me'. He's not convinced that Wonderful Tonight will handle the ground, pointing to Walsh's view and the times yesterday.

He's with Ever Given, Astro King and Sweet Enough for his selections for the Racing TV site.

Walsh also nominated Astro King as one of the runners that he wanted to be with today.

Nevison has just trotted out the 'proverbial group horse in a handicap' line about Sir Michael Stoute's runner who returned lame last time and was drawn on the wrong side at Royal Ascot.

1310: Nick Luck is joined by Martin Dixon to preview the afternoon coverage and the latter doesn't believe the Darley Yorkshire Oaks is as one-sided as the market suggests.

He believes we will see more of a race and that both Wonderful Tonight and Eshaada are better than anything Snowfall has faced to date.

Bring it on.

The support for Wonderful Tonight continues to come and she's a general 4/1 and as short as 7/2. She was beaten on good ground in France last season but Luck has just made the point that Menuisier believed the ground on that occasion was much closer to good-to-firm and both are hopeful that today's conditions will be perfectly okay for her.

Dixon seems pretty interested in Eshaada still and hopefully we'll find out why in more depth later (he did say she should have won at Ascot which is not a controversial view).

He's also looking to take on Sandrine with Desert Dreamer.

It's over to Lydia Hislop and Ruby Walsh who are taking a look at the track and both suggest the ground is closer to good-to-firm than good and was quicker yesterday than advertised. Walsh doesn't believe the ground will be an issue for Snowfall and he was impressed by her at the Curragh but Hislop counters that Wonderful Tonight has the stronger form in the book.

Walsh accepts that but points out that she's beaten everything senseless so far and it's not her fault that she hasn't been able to set a higher standard. If you haven't guessed by yet, he's with Snowfall.

I sense Hislop may not be.

1258: I was mildly taken with Nazanin's run at Ascot behind Zain Claudette and Desert Dreamer and did wonder if she could outrun her odds in the Sky Bet Lowther but Hollie Doyle's blog doesn't offer any great encouragement.

The Sky Sports Racing ambassador said 'we’d be more than happy if we could run into a place and claim some important Black Type' which is not a ringing endorsement.

That was just her second start so could conceivably bring her on but it will need to as her big race jockey points out.

There's not an awful lot else to get stuck into in the six furlong Group Two; unless you're keen on the favourite that is!

I wondered if the penalty might be reason enough to take Sandrine on but a cursory glance through recent renewals doesn't offer anything in evidence that an extra impost has sunk fancied runners.

A fair few fancied horses have been sunk on the Knavesmire with Sacred turned over last year and Fair Eva and Lumiere others to have failed to land the odds. Three of the last eight market leaders have obliged which is not too bad a record.

Zain Claudette's form did receive a boost of sorts yesterday as the filly that beat her on debut, Hellomydarlin, was only beaten by three quarters of a length in yesterday's nursery despite carrying top-weight which was a pretty decent effort.

1244: If you're playing away from York you've not got too long to wait until racing from Stratford and Chepstow get underway.

There was a notable performance away from York yesterday with Hala Hala Athmani winning at Carlisle and I've just had a quick scout around for a little more on her and the Jockey Club website carries some quotes and highlighted a rather unusual coincidence.

Perhaps her name is written in the stars?

"Hala Hala Athmani is a half-sister to the dual Group One-winning sprinter Hello Youmzain and she showed an abundance of ability on debut, quickly pulling clear from the two furlong marker under Kevin Stott to score by five and a half lengths. It was an eerily similar performance to Hello Youmzain, who himself won over this trip at Carlisle back in 2018.

And Kevin Ryan feels that the future is bright for his filly. He said: “It was a really good performance, she’s a talented filly. She’s a big filly and has just taken a bit of time but her half-brother (Hello Youmzain) was the exact same. She’s always had a lot of talent and she’ll improve for that, so she’s an exciting filly.”

If you’re one for fate, it’s worth noting that Hello Youmzain defeated a David Armstrong horse called Salmesbury, who was named a small village in the Ribble Valley. Rather eerily, Hala Hala Athmani defeated a horse called Round Acre in her race – who is named after the next village along!"

1231: I was rather more interested in the closing British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Handicap and I was particularly encouraged to see Graeme North put up Separate in his Timefigure preview.

She's been on my radar for a while now and has come down 8lbs through the course of the season and is 18lbs lower than her career high mark. She's fitted with a visor for the first time, having run well for previous connections in blinkers, and has a leading jockey booked with the yard going well.

She's out at 22s and this race has sprung the odd surprise in recent years.

A win for David O'Meara would be less of a surprise given he has won this race in 2012, 13 and 17 and particularly given that Improvised is owned by Clipper Logistics who sponsor the mile handicap. This has the look of a plan and while they don't always come together, this progressive filly is a reasonable starting point.

She's been well supported and is a joint-favourite alongside Spirit of Bermuda but I don't see any reason to abandon her just yet.

1221: Now that the field has been confirmed (barring late withdrawals) for the Sky Bet Ebor, don't forget to check out the exclusive offer from the sponsors and Sporting Life whose readers have the opportunity to get an exclusive Price Boost on the horse they want to back.

Each day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival, the sponsors of the big race have been enhancing the odds of a high-profile runner for our readers only, and the criteria for selection is simple: which is most popular in My Stable?

Therefore by logging into My Stable and tracking the horse, or horses, at the top of your shortlist for Saturday's handicap, you will be having your say on one of the standout offers in the industry.

Be sure to do so before Friday's 4pm deadline, and then visit our live York blog or the Ebor racecard on Saturday morning to find out if you'll be getting a bigger price on your fancy.

1214: Oisin Murphy rides Amma Grace and seems quite keen on her chances - "Dermot wouldn’t be wasting his time or mine if he didn’t think this filly had an excellent chance" - and I'm quite encouraged by what he has to say about Harrow in the preceding OR8Wellness EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap.

I'm trying to concentrate on that rather than the segment which has just been showing on Racing TV, advertising the 'cool, younger brother' channel designed to appeal to a new younger audience.

There was never any doubt but I'm not that audience. It made me want to scream.

Anyway. The nursery looks every bit as difficult as yesterday's but I quite liked the balance of Harrow's form with seconds to Great Max and Reach For The Moon reading well enough in the context of this race.

There's a bit of money around for him too whereas there isn't for Newmarket winner Neptune Legend who was the other runner vaguely on my radar.

As with yesterday, there are a few in the line-up with pretensions of being group horses but Bosh failed to read that script and trying to find one at a slightly longer price than Maglev or Alflaila appeals more.

1210: "She's definitely a little bit better with a bit of cut in the ground," is Berry's concern for Amma Grace in the British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes but that's his only quibble with Dermot Weld's filly who bids to become the third winner for the yard (of this race) in the last 10 years.

There's been money for Portfolio and Abstinence and the former could possibly be upmarked a little from her latest run as she was challenging away from the first two home. She took a while to find her stride and the presenters make the point that she may be better suited by this flatter track.

Forbearance gets a mention at a bigger price from Berry who thought she ran a good race at Leopardstown at the start of last month. He wasn't convinced she lasted home over 14 furlongs and expects her to be better suited by the return to 12 furlongs on decent ground.

1200: The Clipper Logistics Handicap is normally the sort of race that floats my boat but I failed to latch on to anything.

The closest I came was trying to persuade myself that Gifted Ruler and Cliffs Of Capri could prove effective over this mile and hit the frame - lots of extra places - at a decent price.

I was lukewarm at best though really and I'm similarly tepid about the idea of backing Astro King at 7/1 on the back of a slightly disappointing run. Ditto Ametist and Irish Admiral while, unlike many, I'm yet to be convinced that La Trinidad is up to winning a race of this nature.

I've just refreshed the betting to see Gifted Ruler has been punted - that's encouraging but leaves him too short for my money (which I wasn't going to part with).

Fortunately our array of tipsters are made of tougher stuff than me and most, if not all, have put up a selection for this mile handicap.

1153: Berry and Hannity are back on the Sales race and the latter gives a positive mention to Wings Of War.

He impressed at Nottingham, travelling and finishing well and a relatively unfancied stablemate went close in the nursery yesterday which is a positive of sorts.

System receives more plaudits and this is a race that her trainer Richard Hannon has farmed, winning four of the last five renewals.

Hannity puts up Atomic Lady at a price and he digresses to get quite excited about Winter Power's chances in the Nunthorpe. He's clearly hoping Tim Easterby is going to have an excellent week.

1139: "High draws don't actually have a bad record in the race," says Berry in response to Hannity bemoaning the wide draw for his fancy Eagles By Day.

"Unless you're on a keen horse, it's no real disadvantage to be any part of the track," Berry continues.

He thinks Shanroe, who won a Sky Bet win and you're in race and wouldn't have made the line-up otherwise, will be suited by the track and demands of the race and could run a big one.

They've moved on to the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sales Race and had a quick run through.

Smullen gets a positive mention from Berry and there has been support for Kevin Ryan's runner who is 9/1 (12s yesterday) but Ever Given is the 4/1 market leader from Korker.

A few of these were involved in a similar race at Naas last time and you can watch the replay via the image above.

1120: Confirmation on some of those headlines from the Sky Bet Ebor.

"Ante-post favourite Live Your Dream is first reserve for Saturday’s Sky Bet Ebor at York after missing the cut by one.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor and jockey Pat Cosgrave had faced an anxious wait to see if the four-year-old, who has won three of his four starts this term, would sneak into the field for the 14-furlong handicap.

The Knavesmire feature has a safety limit of 22 and Live Your Dream just failed to scrape into the line up, with Shanroe – who won a qualifying event at the Curragh which guaranteed an Ebor run – the last horse in.

Euchen Glen will shoulder a top weight of 10st 2lb for trainer Jim Goldie after an exceptional campaign that has seen him win at both Group Three and Listed level, as well as a narrow defeat at Glorious Goodwood.

Sonnyboyliston, one of two runners for Johnny Murtagh along with Mirann, the William Haggas-trained pair of Ilaraab and Hamish and last year’s winner Fujaira Prince are all towards the head of the betting and have been declared.

Willie Mullins’ Saldier was another leading fancy but he does not feature in the final field, with the Tony Mullins-trained Princess Zoe a further high-profile absentee after also sidestepping a possible run in Friday’s Lonsdale Cup."

The draw is about to take place, Ed Chamberlin is just running through the introduction and process.

Blue Cup is the first out for Megan Nicholls and Kenny Dalgleish has drawn stall 18 out of his tombola (?) barrel. Mirann (6). Eagles By Day (24). Euchen Glen (1). Ilaraab (20).

Are you on the edge of your seats?

Humanitarian (13). Away He Goes (23). Roberto Escobarr (5). Mekong (4). Hamish (15). Max Vega (12). Sonnyboyliston (14).

There's a pause to hear from Shinners just as the pace of the draw was picking up.

"We're 8/1 Hamish, 9/1 Sonnyboyliston and 10/1 Fujaira Prince and we're paying eight places on the race as from now," he says. "I think it's the best quality Sky Bet Ebor that we've ever had."

Pablo Escobarr (22). Global Storm (11). Quickthorn (3). On To Victory (8). Shanroe (9). Mt Leinster (21). Alounak (10). Tribal Craft (17). Makawee (7). Sextant (2) who is a reserve. Live Your Dream is first reserve (16). Last year's winner Fujaira Prince is last out of the barrel and will break from 19.

1107: The Mark Your Card focus moves on to the Sky Bet Lowther.

Sandrine is expected to head to the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes if all goes to plan this afternoon.

Berry thought she was better at Newmarket than Ascot and the two fillies that chased her home on each occasion re-oppose. Desert Dreamer has been consistent and wouldn't be winning out of turn as they say. Hello You debuts for a new yard and wears a hood for the first time so there's a possible angle there.

Berry thinks Sandrine is 'in a different league to these and is a Group One filly'.

Sky Bet's Michael Shinners is talking to Stanley and mentions that the Lowther is the firm's Money Back race.

Sandrine and Snowfall are rock solid in their markets. "If one of Sandrine or Snowfall gets beat, it's probably going to be a reasonable day," he says.

Ametist has been backed with them in the Clipper Logistics Handicap where they are paying seven places.

There will be more from Shinners later.

1055: Fran Berry is singing the praises of Snowfall in company with Niall Hannity.

They've moved on to Wonderful Tonight and ask the question as to whether she will be as effective on this 'no excuses ground' - the trainer is adamant that she will be every bit as good.

It is thought that both fillies would prefer a true gallop so hopefully that will prevail.

Eshaada has low mileage and finished off her race well in the Ribblesdale to finish second to the prominently ridden Loving Dream. Eshaada is widely and understandably expected to reverse the form but has to take a big step forwards to trouble the principals.

Snowfall gets the vote from Berry although Hannity signs off with another mention for the Ballydoyle stable form.

1050: Rachel Casey provides an update on the Sky Bet Ebor and reveals that the ante-post favourite Live Your Dream is the first reserve.....agony if you're holding a ticket.

The draw will be made in around 45 minutes.

1049: Willie The Whippet is still eating the microphone and still stealing the show, he's only 9 months.

Anthea Leigh was out on the course with Megan Nicholls and Tom Stanley and told them:

"We had a dry night and a dry overcast morning and it's meant to stay like this although there's an outside chance of a shower, we're still within the parameters of good ground.

"We had about an inch of rain at the start of August. It's natural ground, we haven't had to water and it's been a slow dry so we'd take this any year. We'll let nature do its thing at the moment, I wouldn't be surprised to see good-to-firm get into it later today or tomorrow.

"At the moment, there seems to be more certainty about rain coming in for Saturday but that forecast has been very, very changeable. We would let it get to proper Flat racing ground before we watered to maintain that."

The wind is fairly breezy and is 'pretty much across, a westerly' apparently.

Megan Nicholls says she didn't particularly notice it when riding yesterday and doesn't think it's strong enough to make a difference.

1042: Ahead of the Sky Bet Ebor, Sporting Life readers have the opportunity to get an exclusive Price Boost on the horse they want to back.

Each day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival, the sponsors of the big race have been enhancing the odds of a high-profile runner for our readers only, and the criteria for selection is simple: which is most popular in My Stable?

Therefore by logging into My Stable and tracking the horse, or horses, at the top of your shortlist for Saturday's handicap, you will be having your say on one of the standout offers in the industry.

Be sure to do so before Friday's 4pm deadline, and then visit our live York blog or the Ebor racecard on Saturday morning to find out if you'll be getting a bigger price on your fancy.

1037: Hot off the press we have the market movers from Sky Bet and there has been support for Wonderful Tonight......she is 4/1 from 9/2.

York

13.50 – Desert Dreamer 5/1 from 7/1

15.00 – Ametist 15/2 from 8/1

15.35 – Wonderful Tonight 4/1 from 9/2

16.10 – Alflaila 9/2 from 5/1

16.45 – Abstinence 11/4 from 4/1

17.20 – Improvised 4/1 from 11/2

1032: We heard, post-race, from John Gosden that yesterday's International was THE target for Mishriff and we've heard all season from Menuisier that the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is THE race for Wonderful Tonight.

It is fabulous to see her lining up in this contest and she seemed so fresh when winning at Goodwood that it's understandable that connections are keen to get another race into her.

She has looked a vastly improved performer this season and William Buick was convinced that she is showing more speed. It promises to be a fascinating race.

Yesterday the question was asked whether the Ballydoyle horses weren't quite firing on all cylinders this month and the runners in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur didn't exactly cover themselves in glory.

Another big question is how good are the three-year-old fillies? Will Snowfall struggle in all age company? Answers in a few hours time.

1021: There are seven non-runners on the card so far and they include Illustrating in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes which is a shame as she appeared one of those more likely to lay it up to Sandrine.

Karl Burke's filly was around a 5/1 chance when taken out and her absence leaves Sandrine as your 6/4 market leader with Ascot winner Zain Claudette and Desert Dreamer (who will be ridden by the gentleman below) vying for second favouritism.

One of the 'ideas' I had last night was that laying the penalised Sandrine would be the way to go in the opening Group Two contest but I'd rather backed off that by the time I closed my eyes and there's even less to recommend that approach now that one of her main rivals has been ruled out.

The early morning going update tweet from TurfTrax is as expected and reads "Good. Goingstick 6.9. Dry overnight and cloud Thurs am."

Illustrating wasn't taken out on account of the ground but under a 'self-cert' having been cast in her box.

Mark Your Card on Racing TV is about to start and there was an early interview with Clerk of the Course Anthea Leigh yesterday and I imagine there will be more of the same in a little while. There have been some rail movements.

1015: Good morning,

I'm a little short of ideas today - good ones anyway - but we do have another excellent card to enjoy and it's full of intrigue.

Snowfall is long odds-on to claim another Group One prize but she faces an older, top drawer filly for the first time in David Menuisier's Wonderful Tonight who is also in the reckoning for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Menuisier will be hoping that there's a little more ease in the ground at ParisLongchamp than there is on the Knavesmire but cut underfoot didn't exactly stop Snowfall from pouring it on at Epsom.

They're roughly 7/2 and 8/1 for the October showpiece and 4/9 and 9/2 for this afternoon's Darley Yorkshire Oaks.

Is it a two horse race?

Probably. But taking that approach has made fools of us in the past.

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