York Ebor week gives us all a chance to feel a little positivity

The Sun

18 August 2023

IT'S York's Ebor meeting next week and I'm pretty sure that, just like me, that makes you feel a little bit gooey inside.

York is a special place for broadcasters, racegoers and punters with that perfect blend of top-class racing, red-hot handicaps and the gem of a huge standout event on each of the four afternoons.

It's lovely to be able to think about the horses in this week’s column.

I'm in a privileged position to write about the Sport of Kings in a Britain's greatest daily newspaper. And so often recently there has been negativity over this great game.

Such is the world we live in, it's getting harder and harder for people to do the things they like to do, and for some of us that is having a few quid on a racehorse.

Only those in Government know why they are potentially denying people the right to spend their money as they like.

Then there are the dictators who run the sport. The people who, rather than consider the players, want to leave a legacy via the whip rules or by denying jockeys crucial saunas while offering no alternative.

But away from affordability checks and the stresses of the jockey situation, a magical world of sport continues. And gosh, do I love this game.

As part of the ITV team next week, I'll head up to York on Tuesday with an eager mind, concentrating on the conundrums ahead.

It's an Ebor meeting with a huge £6.4 million up for grabs. But for many, it's all about Wednesday’s Juddmonte International.

The Group 1 contest has often fallen to one of the monsters of the turf, and none more so than Frankel in 2012.

But there have been many other fantastic winners over the years, including Baaeed, Australia, Sea The Stars, Falbrav, Giant’s Causeway and Commanche Run.

This time the race is dominated by unstoppable Sussex and Eclipse Stakes hero Paddington – the Bear, incidentally, will be on track as at Goodwood - and Mostahdaf, the brilliant victor of the Prince Of Wales’s at Royal Ascot.

Throw in top filly Nashwa, who I revealed in this column would take part back in July, and you have a tasty renewal to match the 2020 contest which turned out the best race in the world that year.

But there’s no doubt the horse who would make the race for me is the 2022 Derby hero Desert Crown.

He keeps missing engagements for Sir Michael Stoute but is currently a fantastic each-way bet after his narrow defeat to Hukum earlier this term.

That is, if he turns up! There are eight left in, and I doubt there will be eight declared on Monday if you are looking for a place 1-2-3. Then you just pray Desert Crown lines up!

Also on Wednesday, watch out for unbeaten Gregory in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur. The Queen’s Vase winner might book his place for the St Leger.

On Thursday, I can’t wait to see Newbury Super Sprint heroine Relief Rally in the Sky Bet Lowther for William Haggas.

But the key race is the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks, and another possible Leger clue with Savethelastdance, the Epsom Oaks runner-up who went one better in the Irish equivalent. Trainer Aidan O’Brien confirmed to me that Doncaster is on the agenda all being well.

The Friday of York is always special. This year’s Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup might well be a cracker with Ascot Gold Cup victor Courage Mon Ami entered up along with Coltrane and Vauban, although most will be surprised if the latter doesn’t go straight to the Melbourne Cup.

One race not to miss will be the Group 1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes, which sees some of the fastest horses on the planet do battle.

Highfield Princess is back to try and retain her crown against the King’s Stand winner Bradsell and the very fast Dramatised, a former Queen Mary heroine at Royal Ascot.

Improving Regional also goes for Ed Bethell, having scored at both this course and Haydock in 2023.

As for the Ebor, itself Sweet William fans will want it to rain, and there could be a fairytale result for the Deborah Faulkner stable with Golden Rules.

I’ll be back each day next week with my views on all the TV races. It’s York. Something special.