Leading fancies may miss Ebor cut
If the top 22 runners all stand their ground leading fancy Inglis Drever from the Sir Mark Prescott yard would not get a run and ante-post favourite Hawk Flyer would also miss the cut.
However, connections of the latter have already indicated that he is more likely to run in the Great Voltigeur Stakes the day before.
Hawk Flyer’s trainer Sir Michael Stoute has left both Distinction and Researched in the £190,000 Ebor.
As expected, top weight Pole Star has been taken out of the race by trainer James Fanshawe leaving David Loder’s Razkalla at the head of the list.
Last year’s winner Hugs Dancer is still on course to defend his title in Europe’s richest handicap.
Willie Mullins has both Holy Orders and Sadlers Wings on target for the race while Clive Brittain could run Muhareb, who showed improved form to finish third in the Shergar Cup Challenge last week.
Brittain said: “He ran an extremely good prep race for the Ebor really. He gave weight to the winner and the second so it was a very, very big ask to carry 9st 7lb and give that kind of weight away.
“He’s well in himself and the ground will hold no fear for him.”
Northumberland Plate winner Unleash is still in the Knavesmire feature as is Handel, who will be bidding to give Aidan O’Brien a second win in the race after his success with 16-1 outsider Mediterranean in 2001.
O’Brien meanwhile has his usual strong entry in Wednesday’s Scottish Equitable Gimcrack Stakes.
The Ballydoyle handler has five entries in the six-furlong race headed by Grand Reward, a full-brother to top filly Sophisticat and winner of his only start to date, at Newbury in May.
He also has Born In America, Devil Moon, Newton and Old Deuteronomy in the race.
William Haggas’ Majestic Missile, an impressive winner at Goodwood, is in the field, as are the Richard Hannon-trained pair Kings Point and Venables. David Loder could be represented by Byron and Kheleyf, while Jeremy Noseda has Balmont in the race. “We are happy with Balmont and he remains on course for the Gimcrack,” the trainer said on his website.
