Ebor Festival day three: Quotes from connections

Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes

Frankie Dettori, jockey of Lady Aurelia

"I think it was an almighty performance in the King's Stand. She brushed aside some great older horses. She's a typical sprinter. She's on her toes and she has two switches - slow and fast. There's nothing in between.

"Last year we tried really hard to get her to run over six furlongs. We got away with it in the Prix Morny, but for me five furlongs is ideal for her. I would say she is (the one to beat) after what she's done. I think York will suit her as she's got tremendous speed and typically American horses like a flat track.

"York might suit her better than Ascot."

Jim Crowley, jockey of Battaash

"I pulled him out in his work and he was gone - it was a great feeling. He's not overly big but he's just got such a high cruising speed. What impressed me at Goodwood was the way he coped with the ground because there's always a doubt in your mind when a horse has got so much speed. He'd broken the track record at Sandown the time before.

"Fillies can be a little in and out, plus she has to cope with the travelling backwards and forwards, but what she's done so far she has been impressive. She's a very fast filly and it's going to be a great race."

Sir Mark Prescott, trainer of Marsha

"She is very consistent, run in all the top sprints this year and been placed every time. The Nunthorpe looks a marvellous race with some very, very fast horses in it and she is entitled to be there but Lady Aurelia and Mr Hills' horse (Battaash) have both beaten her this year.

"They have beaten her fair and square before but in sprints, tiny little things make a big difference."

Clive Cox, trainer of Profitable and Priceless

"Profitable is in great form and I'm really pleased with him. I'd say Lady Aurelia is the one to be beat, but we are 4lb better off with her compared to Ascot. Last year (when sixth), Take Cover put paid to his chance at the start and he never really found any rhythm. He's a Listed winner at York, so the track is not a worry."

Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes

Patrick Mullins, assistant to father Willie, trainer of Thomas Hobson

"He ran two fantastic races at Ascot and almost completed the Simenon double (Ascot Stakes and Queen Alexandra Stakes in 2012). I suppose we are trying to make him into a Melbourne Cup horse and he probably needs to go up a few more pounds in the handicap and hopefully he can achieve that with a good run at York.

"Dropping back in trip should not be a problem as he is quite versatile trip-wise. The girl that looks after him has been delighted with him ever since Ascot and we are happy with him going into the race. It is exciting getting these good ones to go on the Flat with and being able to take on the top Flat trainers."

William Haggas, trainer of Dal Harraild

"We rode him wrong at Ascot, it was my fault. We got sucked into running him because of the ground and when we were drawn where we were we decided to make the running. The trip was too short really, too but this is his trip and the ground will dry up nicely. He's been crying out for this trip for a year and now he finally gets the chance to run over it. He's a very good horse on his day."

Sir Mark Prescott, trainer of St Michel

"I heard the jockey criticised the other day, but I thought he gave him a good ride and we had every chance. It was a very good run on fast ground. Two miles around York will be fine for him and if all goes well on Friday he will go for the Melbourne Cup. He would go into quarantine on September 14."

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Prince Of Arran

"I don't think Goodwood suited him. When things don't go his way he can throw the towel in and he was never travelling like he did at Ascot . I have put cheekpieces on to help him concentrate a little bit as when he gets out of his comfort zone he just loses interest a little bit.

"I think he is versatile regarding the ground and he is in good form, like the rest of my horses. It is a tough race, but it might not be the strongest Group Two .I had the option of the Ebor, but I think a smaller field will suit him better. If he goes back to the two runs at Ascot in the Sagaro and the Gold Cup then he could run well."

Betfred Ebor

Patrick Mullins, assistant to father Willie, trainer of Ivan Grozny

"He didn't get too far last time in the Galway Hurdle, but he's none the worse for that.

"He was one of the favourites for the Ebor last year and had to be pulled out at the last minute.

"He's probably not as well-in (at the weights) this year and has plenty of weight, but he seems in good form at home.

"It's a race that we've had a bit of luck in, as Sesenta won it and Wicklow Brave was second. We wouldn't be sending him unless we thought he had a good squeak.

"He likes some ease in the ground, but I think a strong gallop really suits him where he can settle as he can be a bit free-going.

"I think if they go a good gallop and he settles, that will be the key."

Tim Palin, spokesman for Middleham Park, owners of Flymetothestars

"The draw (stall 21) is bob-on and he's a lightly-raced improver, but he hasn't raced on turf yet.

"That's a bit of an unknown, but he has a turf pedigree so the hope is he'll be as good as he is on the all-weather.

"He's probably not been 100 per cent for most of his life, which is why we don't want to run him on firm ground.

"I've spoken to Sir Mark and If there's any firm in the ground we'll have to walk the track and could end up taking him out.

"He's in great form, though, and it's all systems go."

Sir Michael Stoute, trainer of Dubka

"She's tough and she stays well. I would think that run at Goodwood was the best she has produced so far.

"The dam (Rosika) nearly won the Ebor so let's hope she can win it."

Iain Jardine, trainer of Nakeeta

"He's due a change of luck in one of these big races and it was always the plan to get him into the Ebor all year.

"Callum (Rodriguez) is a good lad and takes off a handy bit of weight, so there are plenty of positives."

Charlie Johnston, assistant to father Mark, trainer of Soldier In Action

"A mile and six at a track like York is a positive and we are hopeful he can run a big race."

Jeff O'Keeffe, trainer of Lord Yeats

"Ideally we'd want a bit more rain, but it can't be too fast given the rain on Wednesday.

"I've been wanting to step him up to this trip for a while and I'm hoping it will bring about some more improvement."

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Scarlet Dragon

"He's better off at the weights as Hollie (Doyle) can use her claim and he's 2lb well-in because he went up for Goodwood (third in a Group Three).

"We're hoping for a big run, but obviously it is a bit of a lottery."

Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes

Charlie Johnston, assistant to father Mark, trainer of Cardsharp

"He didn't show his true running at Goodwood and at this stage we are putting it down to the soft ground.

"At Newmarket when he won, he hit the line very strongly whereas at Goodwood, he travelled like the best horse in the race but couldn't quicken.

"Hopefully it was because of the ground and he will show his best on Saturday.

"He has to carry a penalty again but horses who have a penalty have a good record in the race and he goes there in good shape."

Harry Herbert, racing manager for Royal Ascot Racing Club, owners of Headway

"It was just a disaster at Goodwood. The ground was hopeless for him and he raced out on his own. It couldn't have gone any worse for him.

"The horse is much better than that and with the better ground here at York, he should be competitive.

"William is pleased with him and his form is solid. He has done well physically and we expect him to run a big race.

"He has got a good spot in the middle so I don't think the draw will be a problem."

Colin Gorman, assistant to Tom Dascombe, trainer of Frozen Angel

"His form is rock-solid. We've not had the run of the green on our side - we always feel a bit unlucky sometimes and we're coming here with a big shout on Saturday.

"It wasn't a tough call with a horse like him. We've gone for the prestige rather than the money."

Tim Easterby, trainer of Staxton

"He's a really nice horse. We knew him and Wells Farhh Go (winner on Thursday) were up with our best.

"He defied a penalty last time out and I've been surprised at how many have tried and failed to do that. Not many have managed it, but he has.

"He won't be out of place, that's for sure."

Kevin Ryan, trainer of Stormbringer

"He's in great form and ready to run. We think a lot of him, but obviously this is a big step up from Redcar to the Gimcrack.

"It was nothing but a lone gallop when he won last time, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on."

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