One of the biggest weeks in the summer is upon us with York’s Ebor Festival taking centre stage. The Juddmonte International on Wednesday will see Roaring Lion and Saxon Warrior go head to head for the fifth time (it’s currently two a piece between them) and also tackle King George winner Poet’s Word in what will no doubt be a vintage renewal. Laurens returns to the track in the Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday, while Stradivarius will be aiming to win the £1m bonus in the Lonsdale Cup on Friday with speedball Battaash hoping to claim the Nunthorpe later in the day. Saturday is a bumper day with the Ebor itself, the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and in the evening the Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor.
Trainers
- Archie Watson – Young trainer who’s getting better and better, had 6 winners last week including a pair of Listed successes. Has just the one runner at Leicester on Monday.
- Roger Varian – Starting to hit top form now with 6 winners last week and others also running very well. Doesn’t have bundles of entries at York, but has plenty of quality in his stable so runners have to be noted.
- Richard Fahey – Top trainer at York over the past 5 years with 43 winners, will have a whole host of runners this week but usually does well.
- William Haggas – Has a very impressive 19% strike rate at York over the past 5 years, has a number of exciting entries for the Ebor Festival.
Jockeys
- Paul Hanagan – Rides plenty for Richard Fahey and does well at York (top jockey there so far this year) and it would be surprising were he not on the score sheet.
- Andrea Atzeni – A man very much in-form, riding 9 winners last week and regularly rides for Roger Varian but also picks up other top mounts.
- James Doyle – Seems he can do no wrong this season and he’s upholding his form remarkably well this season with confidence high. Rode 7 winners last week and has a 17% strike rate at York in the past 5 years.
Horses
- Roaring Lion – Getting better and better with each run, is a course and distance winner and crucially gets the weight-for-age allowance in the Juddmonte International.
- Legends Of War – 900,000 Guineas purchase at the breeze-ups, taking win on debut and likely we haven’t seen the best of him yet. Entered in the Gimcrack at York on Friday.
- Wells Farhh Go – Game performance to win the Bahrain Trophy when last seen, aims to bolster his St Leger claims in the Great Voltigeur on Wednesday.
- Speedo Boy – Appreciated the step up in trip to win a handicap over 2 miles last time, up 3lbs but is unexposed as a stayer. Entered in the 4.15pm at York on Wednesday.
- Count Octave – 6th in the St Leger last year and has kept some good company, would be interesting if running in the Ebor off 105.
