Profiles of the runners for the £1million Sky Bet Ebor at York
Salouen and Royal Line haven't been declared for the Sky Bet Ebor. Ben Linfoot and David Ord profile the final field.
WITHHOLD
DO: Going from strength-to-strength for Roger Charlton and after a troubled trip to Australia (broke blood vessel in Geelong Cup) he returned with a a good win in the JLT Cup at Newbury. That confirmed he’s still on the upgrade, he’s proven in big-field staying handicaps and looks to have the boot for this test at a mile-and-a-half. A lot to like.
BL: Landed a right touch for Tony Bloom in the 2017 Cesarewitch and has been on the radar for all the top staying pots ever since. Won the Northumberland Plate after that before his unfortunate experience Down Under, but a bit of TLC and a wind op seems to have nursed him back to better-than-ever health judging by his Newbury win over two miles. Up 6lb but drop in trip to 1m6f is a concern.
WELLS FARHH GO
DO: Came out second best in his early speed duel with the TV camera vehicle in the Goodwood Cup but started his season well with a Listed win at Newmarket and 40 years on from Sea Pigeon, gives the Easterby team a live contender to win a second Ebor.
BL: As Dave mentions above this could be THE story in the Ebor and he is a horse that has looked ideal for this race from the moment he stormed home to win the Acomb as a two-year-old two years ago. Loves making all on the July Course and such tactics will be tough to pull off in this race, but he's easily forgiven his Goodwood Cup enthusiasm last time.
RED VERDON
DO: Beat Gold Mount a head in the Silver Cup here last month with Raheen House a short-head away in third and Weekender and Kelly’s Dino back in fourth and fifth. He was tough in the closing stages there having travelled as well as anything through the race and didn’t look at all flattered by the success. This is tougher but we know he likes the place.
BL: Has finished second on nine occasions but battled well to defy Gold Mount and Raheen House in a key trial here last month. Has a job on to uphold the form with the beaten horses that day, though, off a 5lb higher mark on Saturday.
KING’S ADVICE
DO: Remarkable five-year-old who has won eight of his nine starts for Mark Johnston and looked a little unlucky in the other when shuffled down the field in the Northumberland Plate and finishing with running left in him. Teak-tough and knows where the line is, even another four pounds more from the handicapper might not stop him.
BL: The handicapper must absolutely despise him! He's defied rises from the assessor of 6lb, 6lb, 7lb, 5lb, 3lb, 3lb and 7lb, rising from 71 to 108 in an eight-race winning streak before his latest 5lb hike took him to 113. Runs under a 4lb penalty so is 1lb well in, and you simply cannot leave him out of calculations because of his talent, toughness and attitude.
WEEKENDER
DO: Second in the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor last year and no surprise that this has been his target since. Fared best of those ridden prominently when fourth behind Red Verdon on the Silver Cup and a pound lower than in 2018. His chance is obvious.
BL: Last year's second place finish in this race is not the only piece of evidence that points to him going well at York and his proven track record is a major plus. Had the assistance of Frankie Dettori last year - and he might not this year - but looks a big each-way price at 20s regardless off a 1lb lower mark than 12 months ago.
RAYMOND TUSK
DO: Has kept good company this term chasing home Dee Ex Bee in the Sagaro at Ascot and beaten just over eight lengths when seventh to Stradivarius in the Gold Cup back there in June. A mark of 111 should mean he’s competitive slotting into his first handicap.
BL: Last year's St Leger 6th has run with credit over a variety of trips this season in good company. Interesting on handicap debut off 111. Has never been to York but likes fast ground and the less showers the better his chances become.
RAHEEN HOUSE
DO: Joined William Haggas in the autumn and has been pointed at this ever since. A must for every shortlist after two creditable runs over course-and-distance this season and the big field, strong pace, scenario will play to his strengths.
BL: One of only two horses that have beaten Enable and he gave her 5lb that day! Had a patchy record for Brian Meehan overall but looks more straightforward since being gelded and sent to William Haggas, who has eyed up this race for him since he arrived in his yard. His two-race prep at this track has gone perfectly.
PRINCE OF ARRAN
DO: Ran a cracker to finish third in the Melbourne Cup last season and teed up for this with spin behind Desert Encounter at Goodwood last time. Battle hardened stayer but others might be quicker.
BL: Charlie Fellowes has an excellent record in York handicaps and his likeable Prince Of Arran is a real trier who wears his heart on his sleeve. I agree with Dave, though, he could get outpaced in this against classy opposition. His Melbourne Cup third came on rain-softened ground and I think he'd love a fair few showers this week, if only to blunt the speed of others.
MAX DYNAMITE
DO: Willie Mullins felt he just needed the run when third behind Cleonte in the Queen Alexandra and was then found a penalty kick at Killarney next time. A big horse who takes plenty of work, the jungle drums at Closutton have been beating his name over the last week.
BL: Nine-years-old now and his best run on the Flat in relatively recent times came in a below-par renewal of the Doncaster Cup. Had some serious form at York in his pomp but it takes a pretty big leap of faith to believe he can recapture that sort of performance these days.
MEKONG
DO: Went down all guns blazing to Falcon Eight after an epic dual for the Coral Marathon at Sandown which marked a return to form after he finished last of seven in the Grand Cup over this course and distance the time before. He was too keen there but will get a good pace to settle in behind here. Not for me but others are very keen.
BL: Not the most straightforward and completely bombed out here at York two starts ago, but was given a superb ride in defeat by Ryan Moore at Sandown when returning to form last time. Set a strong pace when fourth in the Melrose last year and he could well bowl along again here back down in trip.
TRUE SELF
DO: Bogged down in the Haydock mud two starts ago and too keen from a wide draw at Leopardstown next time. Willie Mullins thinks she’s a player – and he should know – but I’m not as sweet on her chance.
BL: Looks to be at her best on softer ground so the dry forecast is a bit of a concern, although she has acquitted herself well on good. Doesn't look to be particularly well treated off 110 on her British form but unexposed runners from the Mullins yard are always respected and she's won four from seven on the Flat, finishing second on two other occasions.
RED GALILEO
DO: Godolpnin representative but went in snatches when eighth in the Northumberland Plate last time. Won his previous start at Newmarket and has ability – but not enough to win a £1m Sky Bet Ebor from a mark of 109 for me.
BL: Saeed bin Suroor's magic first-time hood worked wonders again when applied to Red Galileo at Newmarket but it didn't have the same effect second time out in the Northumberland Plate. Dropping back in trip two furlongs back on turf will help but others look to have better chances at the weights.
BAGHDAD
DO: Back-to-back winner at Royal Ascot and did well to beat Ben Vrackie a short-head in this year’s Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes after a battle royal. Not had a race run to suit since but switches back into handicaps here and promises to relish the extra two furlongs. One I like.
BL: Beat stablemate Making Miracles in a handicap on his sole start at York. That was last May off a mark of 80 which highlights the progression he's made since. Never gone this far but distance looks sure to suit and he deserves his position towards the upper echelons of the betting.
KELLY’S DINO
DO: He’s done more than most to even get into this having looked like falling short before picking up a four-pound penalty for beating Corelli a short-head at Newmarket earlier this month. He’s a model of consistency and would be a great story if he got his head in front but I do wonder if the handicapper is catching up with him.
BL: Improved massively since wind surgery, rising a stone in four starts following stagnated progress prior to the operation. Has work to do to reverse York form with all of Red Verdon, Raheen House and Weekender, however.
BEN VRACKIE
DO: Giant son of Frankel who doesn’t finding winning all that easy. Ran well in that Royal Ascot thriller with Baghdad and probably found the racing coming too soon at Newmarket next time. Freshened up since it would be a good day for him to get his head in front again for connections – but not me as I’ll be looking elsewhere.
BL: I love Big Ben Vrackie but I'm not sure York is going to be his track. Vulnerable to pacier sorts and looks more of a Cesarewitch type to me. Could well be the choice of Frankie Dettori, however, ensuring his presence towards the top of the betting will remain intact.
DESERT SKYLINE
DO: Behind King’s Advice at Newmarket and Goodwood on his last two starts but while the handicapper continues to try and close the gap between the two – the Johnston horse is likely to again have his legs here.
BL: Well handicapped on his very best runs behind Stradivarius and ran a cracker two starts ago at Newmarket when second to King's Advice. Not so good behind the same rival at Goodwood and might need some ease in the ground to take advantage of his new status as a handicapper.
MUSTAJEER
DO: Ran a cracker to finish fourth in this last year and warmed-up for a repeat bid when a promising fifth in the Curragh Cup. Expect a more positive ride than in 2018 with connections now confident he has the stamina for the test and Colin Keane is over to do the steering. A player.
BL: Yep, a player, a big player. Short of room when not beaten far last year and runs off the same mark this time around. Has been running well in group races this year and looks primed and ready for another crack.
BARSANTI
DO: In for something of a culture shock as he hasn’t faced more than five rivals in any race since winning a handicap at this meeting back in 2016. Did it well from a mark of 105 there and only two pounds higher here so there’s a case to be made from a handicapping perspective at least.
BL: Seven now and he probably peaked a couple of years ago. Second over this trip at this track a couple of times but there are plenty more stronger candidates in this.
DRAMATIC QUEEN
DO: Bronte Cup winner here in May and second to Enbihaar in the Lancashire Oaks next time. That rival did the form no harm when hosing up in the Lilly Langry Stakes but this filly did by finishing last of seven there. Maybe it was the track and she’s in very good hands and very effective at this trip.
BL: She beat Enbihaar at York in May and on that form she's of major interest. Her Goodwood flunk behind the same rival is a concern, but you're getting a big price about her because of it if she turns up. Trainer William Haggas, of course, has a much more likely winner in Raheen House.
MAKING MIRACLES
DO: Had his day in the sun (well torrential rain) when running away with the Chester Cup but he’s still five pounds above that mark despite four below-par efforts since. You’d imagine he’ll go forward early bit is very unlikely to still be in front at the furlong pole.
BL: Has two major disappoints to overcome from his last two runs and he's unlikely to get Chester Cup conditions on Saturday. Never easy to strike a line through a Mark Johnston runner on the back of a bad run but he does look an unlikely winner on recent evidence.
CLEONTE
DO: Queen Alexandra winner at Royal Ascot and beaten just over four lengths by Falcon Eight and Mekong at Sandown next time. He needs a thorough test of stamina though and this looks too sharp for him.
BL: Indeed, the trip is the big concern with him. Usually held up but such tactics against classier and speedier opponents are unlikely to show him in a good light and not hard to envisage him being amongst the also-rans.
THE GRAND VISIR
DO: Won the Ascot Stakes at the Royal Meeting and ran creditably to finish seventh behind Withhold at Newbury but tapped for toe there and will again be a gear or two short in this.
BL: Sneaks in at the 11th hour and is suited by a severe test of stamina as he showed when winning at Royal Ascot. Suspicion here is that he will be outclassed and/or outpaced but handicappers from the Ian Williams yard are always respected as he's a superb trainer.
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