Cumani to make strong Ebor bid

Luca Cumani hopes to be three-handed in Wednesday’s Totesport Ebor as he bids to land the famous race for the third time since Vicious Circle struck in 1999.

The Bedford House handler, also successful with Mephisto in 2004, is responsible for ante-post favourite Purple Moon, Samurai Way and Bauer.

While he admits he would be happy to saddle the trio, connections of the last-named face an anxious wait to see if their charge makes the cut.

“Bauer is not guaranteed a place in the field but we will declare him and hope for a run,” explained Cumani.

“He was a bit unlucky not to win on his last start – over one mile and a half at Pontefract in what was a very fast run race.

“We were hoping to get a penalty that would assure him a start at York but if we end up getting in without it that would be even better,” he told his newly-launched website www.lucacumani.com.

Purple Moon will shoulder a 4lb penalty after warming up for the race with an impressive success in Listed company at Goodwood.

“Purple Moon did a good piece of work on Wednesday (August 15) morning and is now ready for the Ebor,” Cumani said.

“Of course it is a hard race to win but in theory he goes to York ’well-in’. I was very happy with his performance at Goodwood last time – it was very promising and he won well.

“I don’t think he would mind ground just on the easy side of good but I’m not sure he would like proper soft ground.”

Adding a note of caution, Cumani added: “If it became as bad as it was when Pride Of Nation won there last month, we would consider re-routing him elsewhere.”

Cumani feels Samurai Way merits respect, but feels his chance would also be enhanced by decent ground.

“Like Purple Moon, both Samurai Way and Bauer would prefer good or faster ground,” he said.

“Samurai Way looks likely to make the cut for the contest and will head into it on the back of a solid second-place performance in the one-mile-six-furlong handicap at Glorious Goodwood earlier this month.

“He is now 4lb better off with Scriptwriter who beat him in that race, so he goes there with a chance.”

Purple Moon is the current 7-2 favourite with sponsors Totesport, while Samurai Way and Bauer trade at 10-1 and 12s respectively.