York Ebor blog replay from day one of Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival

(All times BST)

1710: With tomorrow's Value Bet now out here, with the cases made for four selections, and the final race done and dusted at this perfectly reasonable time of around 5pm, my work is done.

We've had a brilliant day's action on the Knavesmire, with the rain not spoiling things in the slightest. Cracksman was superb in the Voltigeur and I can't believe connections won't roll the big dice with him somewhere again this season, even if he is an exciting 4YO in the making.

Wells Farhh Go looks a middle-distance three-year-old for next season judging by his win in the Acomb, but the last word has to go to Ulysses.

The son of Light Shift was bred to be good, very good, and he's come of age this season. He ran into an exceptional filly in the King George, Enable, who we get to see here tomorrow, and he now has a Juddmonte International to go with his Coral-Eclipse.

Same again tomorrow, folks. We shall speak then.

1700: Alas, the Pick 7 wasn't won as all players went down in the final leg. It really is the toughest of games. Your winner wasn't that hard to find though (I fully appreciate this is in the benefit of hindsight) as Tom Dascombe's Demons Rock lands a four-timer under Richard Kingscote.

1640: We're winding things down as we approach the finale for day one. Tathmeen is your 9/2 favourite and five people are still in with a chance of landing the £50,000 Pick 7.

1620: Well Suegioo let me down. Badly. Who could've foreseen that coming? I don't think I can ever go in again. Magic Circle, the well-backed 7/2 favourite Magic Circle, is your winner.

1606: Stoute says of Ulysses: "It all just went so smoothly and there was never a blip. I think it was his best performance to date.

"York is a different track to Sandown, it's so level, and I never had any worries the way he was travelling.

"I think it's time to give him a break and work backwards from the Breeders' Cup Turf. The owners are keen to go for that. We'll go home and work it out."

1601: From Ulysses to Suegioo. You can but dream.

1559: The Breeders' Cup Turf is on the agenda for Ulysses and it looks the ideal race doesn't it. He's fine on any ground, travels so well, stays. It's something to look forward to in early months of winter and he's massively improved, grown up, matured, since he was fourth in the race last year.

1553: Sing this on your way home if you backed Ulysses:

1546: Ulysses receives a warm round of applause from the stands...

1542: The fears of a tactical affair didn't really play out. Cliffs Of Moher took them along at a perfectly reasonable gallop and Barney Roy was ridden prominently, James Doyle all too aware that he didn't want to be caught out when the screw was turned. Nothing had any excuses here. Churchill ran a good race and travelled into things nicely, but nobody was swinging along like Ulysses and Jim Crowley two out. He travelled the best and found plenty when asked to go and beat the three-year-olds. A brilliant performance from the son of Light Shift.

1538: It didn't disappoint did it? ULYSSES wins the Juddmonte International and he's just simply too good for Churchill and Barney Roy.

1525: They're parading for the Juddmonte International. The jockeys have been asked to mount. The atmosphere is building ahead of a special race and the Ballydoyle pair are being very well backed. Churchill is your new favourite at 11/4 and Cliffs of Moher is not far behind at 4/1...

1513: Gosden says: "Whether he runs again, I'll discuss with the owner. His main programme is next year and that's really what it's about. He may well run in the autumn, we will see. He was only a shell of a horse when he ran in the Derby.

"He has two engagements and they're only possibilities at this time, not probabilities."

The Leger never on the agenda. Sky Bet cut Cracksman to 10/1 from 16s for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly in October.

1505: As for the dad's, I think they finished in this order: Frankel-Galileo-Frankel-Galileo-Galileo-Frankel. Could be a bit like this for the next few years.

1503: Well, taking on Cracksman was a poor call. The son of Frankel has absolutely bolted up and he's much the best in the Great Voltigeur. So then Mr Gosden, is that still it for the season? Not tempted by the Leger? We shall bring you news on all that shortly...

1458: The Voltigeur next and Cracksman is odds-on. Currently looking at tomorrow's cards as well for Value Bet (which will hopefully be out at 5pm) so that explains the staggered updates. He is short, though, Cracksman, isn't he? Mirage Dancer carries my cash.

1445: Tim Easterby looks proud as punch and rightly so, he's got a good one on his hands here.

He says: "He could go for the Royal Lodge next, or he could run in France. He's a got a great temperament. He's a proper horse. He had a hard race though, I won't be pushing him. I bought him at the sales, at Tatts, and he's just a big, nice horse. The type of horse I like to buy. I could've easily cut him and put him away but he showed me a lot of speed early on.

"Next year's his year. He's very exciting."

Lucky Wells Farhh Go showed plenty of zip on the gallops... he's a 33/1 chance with Sky Bet for next year's 2000 Guineas but he's looking more like a Derby horse if he goes for a Classic.

1430: WELLS FARHH GO gets up in a thriller from James Garfield. I'll bob down for some reaction.

1412: It's the Acomb up next and Dee Ex Bee is the very popular 11/8 favourite. Wells Farhh Go the one for each-way money. Could they both be by Farhhhhhh (the best?)

1405: Desert Law pictured winning the opening Symphony Group Handicap...

1401: DESERT LAW is in fine form and he follows up Saturday's Doncaster win with another terrific victory here at York under a 6lb penalty. I thought he needed better ground. But he's clearly in great nick and the pace set by Thesme down the middle brough him into the race beautifully. Paul Midgley can train a sprinter and Luke Morris did the steering. Edward Lewis ran on well for second with the front-running mare Thesme holding on for third from A Momentofmadness. I think Tithonus was fifth.

1354: They're behind the stalls for the opener. Edward Lewis, Soie d'Leau, Shamshon and Hoof It the ones for money.

1345: A nice ballsy shout from Andy. This is what we want on the blog. He says: "Hi Ben. Big fan of yours but do think you've missed a trick today in the 1st! Tithonus will lead them a merry dance from the gate on this near side rail which will be favoured today in the soft. They won't catch this."

All the very best, Andy. That might be a good shout. He was on the radar, for sure, but I just favoured Move In Time and Soie D'Leau as I felt they were better handicapped and that perhaps Tithonus had had his day with those recent wins at the Curragh.

1333: Well it's obviously been very wet but it's warm out there now and I can report a bit of sunshine. Maybe Harry Redknapp has brought some south coastal weather with him. The former Spurs boss is here to watch his Moviesta in the opener and I saw him getting mobbed on the way to the parade ring. He loves his 'orses does 'Arry.

1255: An hour to the first. And that means lunch. I won't be too long. Please keep your emails coming in to racingfeedback@sportinglife.com with all your thoughts on this afternoon's card. We can crack this game together.

Ooh, that Ed Chamberlin below is working now too. I told you. #optimism #perseverance

1254: Two more non runners, obviously. Sorry that's my fault. Out Do and El Astronaute are out of the opener.

1240: Seamour a non-runner in that race, by the way. She Believes the only other one to scratch from your racecards here at York in the last, so far. Check all the NRs here.

1239: I'm not going to dwell on the last two races too much. We'll take those as they come later on. It remains to be seen if Suegioo, one from 41 on turf Suegioo, makes a mug of me later on. Despite those dastardly stats, I hope I've made a coherent case for him here.

1236: A downpour of 15mm in August might not normally have such an effect, but it must be remembered York has had 59mm of rain this month already. On top of that, it hasn't taken too much to alter the going which is why we've gone from Good to Firm to Good to Soft, Soft in places after a morning of the wet stuff. It's brightening up now, though, so we should be set fair.

1232: GOING UPDATE: We are now Good to Soft, Soft in places after 15mm of rain.

1230: Hello to Paul 'The Rock' Romain who got in touch via twitter. You can't see it in the photo below but The Rock is also on ULYSSES and he's my selection in the big one as well.

I've gone round in circles in this race, Paul, but I also like Ulysses. He has the best form over this trip by virtue of his Coral-Eclipse win. He's 3lb better off with Barney Roy. He'll handle the cut in the ground. He's got such a high cruising speed that tactically I think he'll handle anything that's thrown at him. I think he has the least questions marks hanging over his head. He's still in great nick judging by his second to Enable in the King George when trying to give her a stone. Go on Ulysses.

1225: Peter says: "Hi Ben, can't help feeling CHURCHILL is the class act here he will also handle any juice in the ground thanks for all the great tips recently."

And Fergus from earlier is back on saying: " Hi Ben, suggest Churchill's chance of winning has gone with the rain!"

Thanks gents, I think the ground will be absolutely fine for Churchill today. Remember, it was very heavy when he was pulled out of the Sussex Stakes and he handles a bit of cut just fine. Slightly on the soft side of good would be my guess but we'll see what the jockeys say after the first.

He's got a few question to answer, today, Churchill. Is he as good as his Guineas wins suggested? Has he regressed since the spring? Will he thrive at the trip?

He is all speed on his dam's side, but Galileo seems to pass on stamina regardless of the dam's credentials and Churchill shapes, to my eye at least, like he will get 10 furlongs without fuss.

I think a bigger problem for Churchill today could be the opposition. It's a really hot race.

1218: Stuart says: "Interested to hear your thoughts on how Barney Roy will handle cut in the ground which he is yet to encounter but likely to get today. I am convinced he is going to improve considerably for it as I believe Excelebration excelled on it and I do think Barney has quite a bit of knee action."

We just don't know, Stuart, do we? We just don't know. He's looked pretty good on the fast turf but I do like a knee action angle. I must admit, more of a concern for me with him today is the potential lack of pace. James Doyle might have to try and get him rolling at a very early stage but it wouldn't be a massive surprise if tactically things conspired against him today.

1214: So, onto the big one. Let's see what you lot are saying about a sparkling Juddmonte International...

1212: Four Frankel's, three Galileo's and a High Chaparral in the Voltigeur. If you'd told me this time last year that there would be four Frankel's in a race at the 2017 Ebor Festival the Voltigeur would've been my guess... at about the 20th attempt.

1208: Damon asks if the going has been updated. The last update was at 10.46am when the going was changed to 'Good' after 6mm of rain with news of a further update after the rain had stopped. The big showers have passed on and there's nothing but the lightest of drizzles now, so I expect a fresh update will be imminent.

1158: Mark Erler loosely mentions the Voltigeur so we'll take a look at the second biggest race on the card today now.

He says: "Hi Ben, I hope you have a nice day! I'm looking forward to it and I will tell you my thoughts. Actually I thought Barney Roy is the horse to beat but I wonder who should make the pace for him and I believe Ulysses is a bit too high. I believe Cracksman should win but with this odds I am not sure. I am start to believe Edge of Sanity could be a good bet in the 4:15. Run a fine race after a long break and I am willing to take my chance at 16/1.

"My selections are: Robot Boy, Fleet Review, Cracksman, Ulysses, Edge of Sanity, Savalas. And my simple Question is: What is your best bet today?"

I'm quite keen to take Cracksman on today, Mark. He just hasn't been doing things easily at all and I'm not absolutely convinced this track and trip will suit. To me, he needs further already, I'm surpised the St Leger hasn't already been nominated as his target and can see him running a fine Leger trial today - in second.

The one that can beat him his Sir Michael Stoute's Mirage Dancer. I like how he's progressing, I loved his Royal Ascot run behind Benbatl and I think, well, hope, he will improve again tackling a mile and a half for the first time today.

1146: Stewart Wilcox has asked a question I can definitely answer, and those sort are always welcome. He says: "Good day, could you please tell me why William Buick is not at York, I haven`t seen him in action for days now, has he been banned?"

I bring you bad news, Stewart, if you're a Buick fan. The jockey is out of action for six weeks due to injury, which means he misses the Leger meeting as well. Which is a blow, as I'd just about be prepared to back him blind on Town Moor, he rides it so well.

1138: I am going to leave that video in, in case it starts working. I'm nothing if not optimistic.

1132: I wonder what the housewife's favourite and face of ITV Racing Ed Chamberlin is backing today? If only we had a video of him talking about his selection. Oh well.

1129: JP from Paris has touched on the Acomb Stakes, at least. He says: "Good morning Ben, so out with the fancy summer cocktails and in with the black stuff judging by the weather...my fancies for the opening day of the festival are...pondering about the first (I know you have a couple of fancies)...Lansky in the second...a SSSS combo in the Voltigeur and Juddmonte in Spanish Steps and Shutter Speed...Oceane which could turn out to be an appropriate name in the penultimate and Zap in the lucky last...poor horse with a name like that he always had risk of missing some part of his anatomy at a later stage in his life...best of luck to all."

Thanks JP, nice Zap gag, I wonder if I could weave that into the best man's speech? We're onto the Acomb now and Lansky is an interesting selection for Jeremy Noseda and Gerald Mosse. He's clearly well thought of after being so well backed on debut at Windsor and then there's the Dewhurst entry too.

Nick 'The Fox' Robson was looking up Wells Farhh Go's price when the rain started coming down and he's 12/1 from 18s in places. The impression he made on debut here at York was a big one and any sort of stamina test will suit him.

I've not had a bet in the race, there's too many unknowns for me, but I was massively impressed with Dee Ex Bee at Goodwood. He's another by Farhh and looked a bit of a machine on debut. What a start to the meeting it could be for the Doyler.

1120: Ben And Jerrys really struggling with the soft ground on the course side. They just can't get up the hill. #testing

1107: Final thoughts on the opener: I like this rain for Value Bet selection Soie D'Leau. A bit of cut could be the extra help he needs, he's so close to finding another 1.

1105: 'Can a course electrician please come to the parade ring,' cries tannoy king and friend of the Life Mike Vince. Oh crikey, what's he done now?

Luckily for us, Mike sent us his scene setter before the parade ring drama. Click here for audio.

1055: So, we've got a Sporting Life exclusive offer for new Sky Bet customers. You bet £10, you get £40 free. I can't stress enough how this is for new Sky Bet customers only. But it's a cracking offer for a week like this and if you fit the criteria and want to take advantage, then click here.

1052: We've had 6mm already. There will be a going change and our editor is already weighed in. Ord 1 Derby 0.

1049: I know I said I'd lay off the weather updates but there are claps of thunder here now and it's hammering it down. I can confirm any live pictures for the foreseeable will be from the warm, and dry, confines of the press room.

1048: LT says: "Hi, Ben - follow your column every day and agree that Move In Time appears a strong proposition. I'm concerned, however, that we might both be on the wrong horse - do we not think Watchable has the same credentials after running reasonably well whilst O'Meara was in poor form and now reunited with Kirby? Any other racecourse moves would be greatly appreciated - I am thinking Shutter Speed in the big race of the day??? Thanks in advance and have a great few days - I shall read on with interest…."

Thanks LT. I am a fan of Watchable and agree he could well pop up soon. I'm just very wary about this rain for him, I've always felt he needs it rattling fast, even if he is by Pivotal. He's definitely handicapped to go very close on his best form, though.

Move In Time won't mind the rain and David O'Meara was particularly sweet on him at the preview evening last night, making him is nap of the day. I just can't forget his run two starts ago at this track when he more than hinted that he's ready to strike again. And I love the booking of the Doyler.

1040: We shall get on to the big one in due course, but let's do this chronologically for now. First race thoughts coming up...

1038: Steve says: "Are we looking at going changes/mass defections/rule 4 nightmare rain?"

This will be the last weather update for a while, I promise. It's raining, a lot. If it keeps up like this there will be a going change so I'll keep you posted. Here's the latest live pic:

1035: Fergus McAllister has got in touch. He says: "Morning Ben, love York racecourse as usually no excuses & best horse wins. Just backed Churchill @ 100/30 then tuned into your blog stating rain had started! Please tell me was only passing shower & not deluge we had here in Co. Aontroim last night!"

Thanks Fergus, I wouldn't say deluge just yet but a passing shower it ain't.

1029: At the York preview evening last night our editor Dave Ord unwittingly had a pop at clerks of the courses up and down the land, not knowing that York supremo William Derby was still in attendance. Dave said something like, and I am paraphrasing here: 'They always play it down, there will be more than 5mm tomorrow.'

Derby asked Ord to clarify his comments at half-time, and, to be fair Dave, he didn't back down. A friendly £5 wager between the two followed, with Dave cheering on more than 5mm and Derby 5mm or less. Judging by the downpour in front of me now, Ord is a 1/10 shot.

1018: First things first. It's very dark here. And it's just started raining. I'll keep you updated with how much and how long throughout. I'll level with you, it doesn't look like a brief shower.

1012: Welcome To Yorkshire its says, everywhere, as you approach York today. And it's a warm welcome, too, ahead of day one of the fabulous Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival.

What a week we have in store. £4.4million in prize money up for grabs. The best thoroughbreds from Britain, Ireland, elsewhere in Europe and the US of A in action.

Fashion and food and reasonably-priced (well, compared to the likes of Ascot, anyway) booze. Those truly fantastic races. We're all set for a crackerjack.

I'm Ben Linfoot, and I shall be your guide for the next three days before the blogging ship is taken over by someone else when I'm best man at a wedding on Saturday.

Please email me via the address at the top with your very best interactions, please. This blog is yours as much as it is mine. I want tips, memories, and a few gags for a best man's speech wouldn't go amiss either. TIA!