The highlight of Saturday’s meeting at York is the 1m6f Class 2 Ebor Handicap, which has been running since 1843.
It became the first British handicap to boast a prize fund of one million pounds in 2019 and for the first time this year, the contest holds 'win and you're in' status for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on 7 November.
Despite owner Philippa Cooper's obvious misgivings in a post-race interview with ITV at Glorious Goodwood, Summer Handicap winner Sweet William heads the betting from near the bottom of the weights. Only raced twice as a three-year-old, the son of Sea The Stars was gelded at the end of 2022 and has been in excellent form since, securing a hat-trick when winning at Goodwood over 1m6f. He is a proven stayer, having won over 2m½f at Newbury in July, and operates on a variety of ground conditions.
Alan King's Hms President appears to have been laid out for the race and has not been seen since his neck second behind Okita Soushi in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot. The six-year-old has shown vast improvement since switching from Eve Johnson Houghton's yard at the start of the year, and his victory in the 1m6f Howden Handicap at Newmarket in early May puts him firmly in the mix with a fair weight.
It has not been the easiest year for Godolphin with very few high-profile winners, yet Live Your Dream appears to have a good chance for trainer Saeed bin Suroor. The six-year-old seemed to enjoy the return to 1m6f when producing an easy win at Newmarket in the bet365 Trophy on the July course. He has a solid record over the distance with two victories from three attempts and the yard is in fair order.
Scampi tries 1m6f for the first time for trainer Andrew Balding, following a short head success in a 1m4f handicap at the Shergar Cup fixture at Ascot. All three of the dam's offspring have raced over 1m4f and further, suggesting the gelding should have no problem with the additional stamina test. He has enjoyed a very good season with multiple victories and should be competitive off a low weight.
Absurde will be having his fourth run for Willie Mullins, having officially transferred from the stable of Carlos Laffon-Parias in May 2023. He commenced in winning fashion for new connections when taking a novice hurdle at Killarney in mid May and ran a blinder on his second outing when second behind Vauban in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot. The form of the Ascot run would put him firmly in the mix.
WIN: HMS PRESIDENT
PLACE: SCAMPI
