Sonnyboyliston lands the Sky Bet Ebor under Ben Coen
Sonnyboyliston lands the Sky Bet Ebor under Ben Coen

Live horse racing blog: News, reviews and replays from York's Ebor Festival


Ante-post Value Bet selection Sonnboyliston won the Sky Bet Ebor for Ben Coen and Johnny Murtagh, recap the day's action from York and elsewhere.

  • Value Bet strikes in Ebor with Sonnyboyliston
  • Saffron Beach first leg of Hollie Doyle double
  • Space Blues and Real World win for Godolphin, double for Buick
  • Valley Forge toughs it out in Melrose
  • Moon shines in Solario, 12/1 Guineas, 10/1 Derby
  • Shadwell announce death of Sakhee

All times BST, please refresh for updates


1724: That brings the action from the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival to a close - I hope you've enjoyed it.

There have been some wonderful and memorable performances on the track and we'll no doubt hear a little more about them next week as the dust settles.

Thank you for tuning in - the blog will be back anon.

I'm off for a lie down.


1711: Wonderful Tonight was pushed out to 12/1 for the Arc on the back of her run behind Snowfall but I wouldn't be in a rush to rule her out of the ParisLongchamp feature IF she gets her ground.

Digital has gone to post early for the Sky Bet Apprentice Handicap but is fast being joined by the remainder of the field.

It's been a very lively market with Blackrod and A Pint Of Bear making a four way go at the top.

Tashgeel makes his debut for Grant Tuer who is enjoying a good season. The same connections hit the frame with another new purchase King Triton yesterday which may encourage some to put a positive spin on his chance.

Luck suggests that there are many people on the Knavesmire hoping it will never end 'judging by the ambient sound' but they'll be able to keep the party going in the city.

Digital is 11/2 from 15/2. The betting suggests this is a hot race of its type. He's now 5/1 and has just been mentioned positively by Dixon who also likes Blind Beggar - those two are drawn in 13 & 14.

Mike Cattermole has the call for the final time.

Digital is prominent and Blind Beggar is on his inside against the rail. Two to run. Digital and Muker. Blackrod flies home and denies Digital. Imperium Blue was third.

The winner was owned by David Armstrong and trained by Michael Dods which in a neat link is almost where we came into the week on Tuesday, except their runner in the opener Pendleton (that I was quite keen on) ran like a drain.

This one was returned at 5/1 under Billy Garrity.

Blind Beggar was fourth and ran a funny race, it looked like he was struggling but given he finished strongly he was presumably outpaced before rallying when he picked up.

Check out the Timeform preview of the American action
Check out the Timeform preview of the American action

1706: An excellent interview by Hislop with Menuisier: "He (Migration) must be growing up at long last, he's five now. I think he is, he's just improving so fast that things are becoming quite easy for him which is extraordinary as he had a very serious tendon injury.

"It's so rare for them to come back to the level where they left off after that and he's improved, that's remarkable. He's a lazy horse at home. At Salisbury it was bizarre because he was backed so much and I couldn't believe it as he was struggling to win a gallop in the morning. I was like 'where has that come from' and he nearly won. I was surprised by the whole thing and that was when I thought he was back.

"I don't know (where he runs next) . Obviously he was entered in the Cambridgeshire but he will carry a lot of weight now, he shapes like a Group horse in a handicap but he would have a lot of weight, I don't know if I would be brave enough to do that or not.

"If he ends up as good as Thundering Blue I'd be very glad but why not?! This one is much more straightforward, Thundering Blue was a bit more temperamental.

"I don't think it is (the ground important to him) but as he had that tendon injury I would be reluctant to run on very fast ground - anything from good to heavy is fine for him and I was happy enough after talking to the jockeys after the first race.

"Diamond Cutter ran really well in the Melrose, that was his first handicap and he was a bit shocked by the whole thing. He got shuffled back and was 'after you, after you, no problem' but he finished well which bodes well for the future. I do like the horse.

"I wasn't going to run him but he was only 2lbs out of the handicap, York is a lovely track and I thought let's take a punt.

"I'm glad we ran Wonderful Tonight.

"I feel she didn't disgrace herself and she's come out of it well. Last year she was 10lbs worse on this ground, she's stronger and I thought she might get away with it but she didn't.

"Next month is the most important trial and I feel that it's important to clear the air regarding the ground and that's what we did. If the ground wasn't ideal next month I would prefer to have a nice racecourse gallop somewhere rather than get beat again.

"I know a lot of people might think that the decision was the wrong one which I don't mind but I think I made the right call."


1652: Dixon expects Migration to be more than up to the quality of pattern race company and that could be where he is seen next. That was impressive.

What isn't impressive is the final of the Women's Hundred with the batting side 14-6. Some of the backers must have their heads in hands.

The time at York was over three seconds above standard and the rain has got into the ground but there's only one more to come from the Knavesmire and that's the apprentice handicap in 25 minutes time.

Showalong was put up at 8/1 by the Punting Pointers team for the final and he's currently the 4/1 favourite ahead of Richard Fahey's Blind Beggar.

As for my (not very) hopeful outsider Ben Macdui, he's out at 28s still! The headgear (albeit a different variety) didn't do an awful lot for his stablemate Boonie earlier on the card.

Loading at the Curragh for a maiden that was won last year by a horse called St Mark's Basilica - I wonder whatever happened to him?

It turns out if you search for 'migration' in Twitter you don't get a replay from York at the top of your list.

Colin Keane has completed a double at the Curragh as the positive vibes proved right for 15/8 favourite Straight Answer. Will be be as good as last year's winner?

Oli Bell - hosting the Sky Bet Sunday Series
Oli Bell has a guide to the Sky Bet Sunday Series

1641: Luck says Migration is a 'finesse ride' and may not be the easiest for Buick on this course but Dixon and Dave Nevison are fans. He's widely expected to follow up although there is a weight for age allowance to take into account with three-year-olds among the opposition.

Victory for the favourite would complete a double for Buick.

Strait Of Hormuz and Fishable ran well in the John Smith's Cup at the track and the former should be on the premises again but I'd expect at least one of these to be better handicapped. They're loading.

Cockalorum and Fishable lead and Buick leaves little to chance with Migration who is in fourth.

Taking the turn for home and heading towards the stands' side as they have done all day, that has left Migration against the rail which may not be ideal. He needs room and there is none. He's switched left, right, left and finally gets a run.

He wins, he's ahead of the handicapper!

Sinjaari second, Cockalorum third with Lucander (hitting form for the Cambridgeshire again) and Warhaan next home.

Migration was returned at 3/1.

I think connections said he idled when he hit the front at Goodwood and that appeared to be the impression he gave here and nearly resulted in him being mugged by the fast finishing second.

1626: The Sky Bet Handicap is next from York and favourite is Migration who was deemed by many to be a good thing at Glorious Goodwood and many will think that is still the case; he looked a horse going places last time.

Closing stages at the Curragh and a driving finish sees Eclat de Lumiere pass the line in front.

The first two home were the two widest drawn and Donn McClean is suggesting they had the worst of the draw and should be marked up.

Southern Brave have made a woeful start in The Hundred but that's by the by.

Dascombe has won the last at Chester to complete a treble with Jane Elliott on board Solent Gateway.

Every winner he has there seems to be cheered to the rafters so the racegoers must have had a decent day.

Jockeys are on board in the paddock and Berry is talking up Good Birthday at a price while Hislop gives a positive mention to Lucander who is a selection for Value Bet.

He's 8/1 with the progressive Wahraan half a point shorter and I'm a little surprised the Newmarket raider has been so easy to back.

1617: There's one more to come from Sandown but the whole card from the Curragh lies ahead of us and the presenters are in coats but bathed in sunshine with a backdrop of a blue sky - I've almost forgotten what that looked like.

The other trainer switch outsider I was looking forward to has also taken a walk in the market with Karuoka a double figure price. There has been on such drift for Nebulosa who could help Murphy complete a treble.

She is 6/4 with Divine Magic 5/2 for PJ McDonald and Marco Botti.

Nebulosa missed the break either by accident or design but they've gone no gallop and I don't think that has hampered her chance, she has her market rival behind her as Arabic Charm leads Karuoka at halfway.

Here comes Murphy. It's a long way home and she's getting tired. Divine Magic picks her up under a well judged ride, Nebulosa second and Karuoka third.

She picked up really well and was still last with a furlong and a half to run when Nebulosa was sent for home. That was quite taking, albeit in a small race.

That was a step in the right direction for Karuoka.

1608: Following that rain at York, the non-runners are coming through thick and fast with Atalis Boy scratched from the last and Dawaam, Al Zaraqaan and Harrovian all out of the penultimate race.

They are loading for this five furlong Listed contest.

Thunder Love, Eternal Halo and Boonie are quick intro stride. Boonie has the stands' rail but comes under a ride.

Attagirl on the rail just shades Caturra.

The winning time was 58.59 which is a second or so over standard.

Third was Mitbaahy. The winner was returned at 7/2 and travelled well, she had to switch once or twice while waiting for a gap but they did come and she quickened nicely. I missed that as I was watching Caturra who also had to switch and ended up in the middle of the track despite having the highest draw. I'm not convinced that was enough to mark him down as unlucky though.

The closers did well and they may have gone too fast up front.

Get the latest Timeform tips for the evening action
Get the latest Timeform tips for the evening action

1600: The Julia Graves Roses Stakes is the next from York and Boonie heads the market for Kevin Ryan.

On Racing TV this morning, daughter Amy seemed pretty keen on the juvenile's changes and so, too, did Graham Cunningham. The money continues to come for him and there's more 9/4 than 5/2 on the grid.

Attagirl was another to receive positive mentions and she's second favourite at 4/1.

Caturra is on the drift but I thought he might be capable of going well despite carrying a 3lb penalty. He wasn't without support in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood and although he didn't back that up (last beaten three and a half lengths) the form is working out quite nicely with Ebro River (fourth) winning a Group One and Gis A Sub (sixth) finishing second in the Gimcrack yesterday.

He's an each-way price and a point longer than Eternal Halo whose trainer Keith Dalgleish is enjoying a good season.

Thunder Love is also 7/1 but Rossa Ryan went down to Sandown to ride and that was enough to put me off.

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1552: That was the feature and it was a thriller but there's plenty more good racing to come and I'll be staying around for another hour or two.

Sandown is on the tv at the moment and Epic Endeavour is without a jockey and being backed towards the stalls.

There's another winner for Murphy as he partners Silent Escape to a wide margin defeat of Ibiza Rocks who was in turn well clear of the rest. She is three from four and has bolted up from a rating of 91 - pattern races to follow sooner rather than later.

My random outsider Further Measure was 66s on the last show I saw and never threatened but I don't think he ran too badly in finishing at the back of that field. I'll be adding him to my My Stable tracker and seeing how he goes over the next two or three starts.

1545: Murtagh and Coen are going from strength to strength and Berry says he's tactically adept - we've seen that at Royal Ascot and now at the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival.

"Hey hey I love this game!" exclaims Murtagh

"It's all the hard work that everyone does at home, we know the kind of horse that it takes to win these races.

"The last time he ran here he ran very well and that gave us great confidence."

Coen: "Unbelievable. I just managed to get him relaxed, he picked up so well three out and he's a good stayer. An unbelievable race to win. He was just running around a bit on the front end. Delighted for the team."

A head was the winning margin. Those extra places were Max Vega, Robert Escobarr, Away He Goes, Pablo Escobarr.

Ed Chamberlin has just given Matt a shout on ITV Racing for putting that one up - nice stuff.

1535: Mt Leinster looked fit and ready to paddock expert Ken Pittersen and was one of four horses (Max Vega the other I think) on his short-list but unprompted, he reduced that to two and they were Tribal Craft and Ilaraab.

He thought Humanitarian might tighten up a little for this run.

Loading pretty quickly. Good luck.

Dixon puts up Max Vega at a big price.

Off and away and Euchen Glen is in the lead. Eagles By Day is prominent but the width of the course away from the rest before gradually edging over into third, Humanitarian second. Quickthorn fourth. Mt Leinster last. Humanitarian the new leader with Blue Cup making a forward move on his outside. Fujaira Prince prominent and wide, around sixth. Into the straight. Blue Cup leads. Mt Leinster won't be winning. Quickthorn and Sonnyboyliston. Sonnyboyliston narrowly beats Quickthorn, the ante-post Value Bet selection has obliged. His SP was 10/1.

Congrats to Ben Coen, Johnny Murtagh and Matt!

The winning time was very similar to the Melrose and was 2.56.1 .

That's a second Sky Bet Ebor for Murtagh and this pair were his first runners in the race since he won it with Mutual Regard.

Alounak third and Shanroe fourth.

Sky Bet paid down to eighth I believe.

1525: Mt Leinster and Ilaraab are dominating the market for the Sky Bet Ebor.

After that pair there are half a dozen horses all within a point or two of 10/1.

"It's lashing down, it's horrible out here," shouts Chapman.

Any number of these will have had this race as their sole / primary target all season and one of those is Eagles By Day and I thought David O'Meara's runner might have been a little shorter in the betting.

Not many people seem to have taken Away He Goes' second to Trueshan in the Goodwood Cup at face value either as he's out at 20s. He ran at this track prior to that in a contest which featured five other runners in this line-up - it could be a key bit of form.

One of them was Sonnboyliston but his stablemate Mirann has been stronger on course this morning. Ben Coen rides the former and presumably had the choice but four-year-olds have found it tough going in this contest recently.

Roberto Escobarr was another and he's Dixon's idea of the winner.

Luck says there's been enough rain to make a difference to the ground.

1520: Mullins on ITV about Mt Leinster: "Where we're drawn I'm not too confident. He worked very well last week, if we had a better draw I'd be a lot more confident. We're fit and well and he'll handle this ground. You need a lot of luck of running in this race but he's doing everything right."

Racing at Sandown and the favourite has two behind him.

A few umbrellas are up at York.

Well strung out at Sandown. Into the straight and Dettori has edged closer but is pushing and shoving. Victory Chime has taken a couple of lengths out of them but King Of Clubs is in pursuit, photo.

McNae calls Victory Chime, then watches the slow mo and changes his mind. King Of Clubs is unbackable on the exchanges and is 1.01. Have they got the right winning post at Sandown?

At York, the jockeys are being introduced one by one.

King Of Clubs has been confirmed the winner, a double for Doyle.

1515: Gosden and Dettori have already struck at Sandown and Graham Clark has filed some quotes from the Solario.

“They didn’t go much pace so Frankie thought he would get on with it. He didn’t think he would go to the front that fast and go that far clear. He did well as he has learned a lot running up the Sandown hill on his own but he has showed a bit of class I thought," said John Gosden.

“You have got to look towards the autumn and we would like to wind up in one of those nice Group Ones and we will see how he is over the next few days and make our decision.

“I know a lot of trainers and jockeys that need a red hood on at the start! He is just lively but nothing more than that, he doesn’t pull. He is very progressive and has done everything right. He has developed and strengthened.”

Equally delighted with Reach For The Moon was winning rider Frankie Dettori.

He said: “He was quite babyish at the beginning of his career. He was quite coltish and not concentrating. With racing he is getting better and better and. Today he stopped his antics a little bit and he was focusing better. He has got a good size, a wonderful stride and he has got gears. He is a very exciting prospect.

“I was a bit concerned about the slow pace at the beginning so I set him for home a long way out. Normally I wouldn’t do that but I didn’t want to sit and sprint as he is such a big horse. He went through the gears and put daylight between them and felt good on top.

“We feel like the more he is racing the better he is getting, so I suspect you will see him out a couple more times before the end of the season. He is a good size so you would expect him to train on. I suspect the Dewhurst could be the plan.”


1507: Buick tells Bell: "We all love him to bits, he's a firm favourite. He's a proper horse and a seven furlong specialist. He's so durable and so honest.

"I think its an ideal race for him. If it falls right for him he'll be right there," he says of Global Storm and the Sky Bet Ebor.

Jane Chapple-Hyam has been speaking to Racing TV about Saffron Beach.

"Thrilled to come here today and we've had a lovely last 10 minutes. She came back with a dirty scope (from the Falmouth) so she had to go on a course of antibiotics and had 12 days off but she's done well since and here she is and she's a winner - everyone's thrilled.

"Three weeks ago Abi felt that she was filling strong in her canters again and it's nice that Hollie came and sat on her to get that reassurance for all concerned. It's good (to have her back), maybe this is her time of the year as well. She was very powerful in the final furlong but Hollie said how strong and dominant she was which was good to hear.

"She's grown up a lot, chilled and relaxed and accepting the crowd. When she first ran it was proper lockdown and she didn't get to see the crowd."

She has an entry in the Sun Chariot but Chapple-Hyam refuses to be drawn and will leave the decision to the owners before throwing out the Prix de l'Opera as another option.

The jockeys are reporting that the ground is riding on the slower side of good.

Poet Of Life is expected to handle the conditions in the upcoming handicap and is 7/4 favourite from King of Clubs at 9/4; it's double figures the rest. The favourite is entered in the Cambridgeshire so this could very much be a race to take an interest in.

1455: They are on the way to post for the City of York Stakes.

Dixon says 'if you're taking Space Blues on today then it has to be a price dependent view'.

Walker is sweet on Primo Bacio and believes that she is a Group One filly, she hasn't enjoyed any luck in running this season but in a smallish field on this wide track there shouldn't be any excuses.

Space Blues is easy to back on the exchanges - 13/8 - and could hit 6/4 on course. Surprising. Highfield Princess is into 8s.

Pogo is last in and one of the first out. He's one of three in the centre of the track but the two groups come together in the straight. Space Blues and Primo Bacio two of the last three with Sir Busker the other. Space Blues picks up far better than the other two.

He possibly idled a little in front but maintained his lead from Highfield Princess and Glorious Journey. That was easy enough, job done.

Luck says the time is right on the standard and is still fast ground. The time was 1.22.60.

Berry doesn't believe that Primo Bacio gave her running and feels she may still be feeling the effects of her trip to France.

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1448: The lack of rain was bad news for Hamish but it's good news for Ed Walker and Primo Bacio who was supplemented for the Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

She's second favourite and the obvious threat to the very likeable Space Blues. The Godolphin runner is by far and away the most obvious winner of this Group Two as this market suggests although the morning preview pointed to the potential of a pace burn-up and the hold-up horses picking up the pieces.

Pogo probably isn't good enough to win this but he is one of those who could race up with the pace and this course and distance winner was a tempting (ish) price for me at 14s and I can see him hitting the frame and rewarding each-way support.

Safe Voyage isn't in the same form this season as when winning last year's renewal, he's gone to post early and the money has been for his stablemate Highfield Princess. She's progressive but these are the old boy's conditions and Jason Hart said earlier in the week that he was looking forward to riding him.

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1437: The going at Sandown was changed to good after the second.

I missed the winning time of the Melrose but I did hear Angus McNae say it was run under standard; he's perplexed as to why the runners are heading over to the stands' side. There are a few small mud splatters on Probert's white silks.

They are already loading for the Atalanta Stakes and Auria and Indigo Girl are joint-favourites. A quickfire double for the Baldings?

"The team back home are very pleased by the way she's come out of her last run at Goodwood. She's a strong traveller and hopefully she can play a part in the last furlong," Probert says of his Sky Bet Ebor mount Tribal Craft.

Off at Sandown where Waliyak is slow into stride. Murphy leads on Auria. Indigo Girl is last with three and a half to run. Saffron Beach and Potapova in behind the pace. Saffron Beach hits the front. Is the Guineas second back? She's going clear.

Easy. Waliyak second and Ville de Grace third. Doyle the winning rider told readers of her blog how well Saffron Beach was working and that was impressive. She was returned at 9/2.

1427: The rain has not come in time for Hamish and Haggas has withdrawn him from the Sky Bet Ebor with Tom Marquand switching to stablemate Ilaraab.

Meanwhile Dhushan races in midfield in the Melrose. Annandale and Doctor Parnassus prominent, King of the Castle on the outside and making ground. Summer's Knight prominent as they enter the final five. Moshaawer out the back but makes ground stylishly. Valley Forge and Dhushan other chances.

Valley Forge wins at 10/1. David Probert and Balding. Terrific finish. Dhushan fourth with Tashkhan fifth and King of the Castle sixth.

Photo second with Moshaawer (confirmed second) and Ravenscraig Castle.

Valley Forge is guaranteed a place in next season's Sky Bet Ebor. He was very, very game in the finish.

The first three came from 16, 17 and 14 while Dhushan broke from 10.

Probert: "He's not the flashiest in the mornings but he's just improved so much from his first few runs this year, last time when he won he was very gutsy.

"It was quite a rough race and he was brave at times to hold his position. I got stuck in front and I had to drag him back. I'm just delighted for Mr Strawbridge and the team at home."

1420: Runners are off to post for the Sky Bet Melrose.

Moshaawer has shortened up a little since I last checked in and is 17/2 (was 10s). Dhushan is also half a point shorter at the top of the betting at 11/2. Cunningham was keen on the favourite in the morning preview but Dixon (Martin) is questioning whether he will stay.

O'Brien thinks that King of the Castle is on a good mark but doubts have been raised as to whether he is quick enough. The owners of Surrey Gold belief he is well handicapped too and are hoping he'll run well but aren't hugely confident.

Any number of this field promise to be a good bit ahead of their marks. They are beginning to load.

Andrew Balding won this race last year and he's represented by Valley Forge who appeals to Dixon.

Dhushan now 9/2.

1410: At the post at Chester for the Listed Stella Artois Chester Stakes with the Leger entry Yesyes the 7/4 favourite. Morando is 18/5. The Sky Sports Racing pundits are against the favourite with Morando and Uber Cool their selections.

The favourite is very laid back apparently and the rain should be in her favour.

Morando breaks well from a wide draw and manages to get into a share of the lead on the outside of Dancing King. Deja is third from Yesyes. They have a circuit to run and are greeted with a deafening cheer as they pass the winning post. The racegoers at Chester and York are enjoying letting their hair down.

Yesyes has lost her position a bit and is quite wide as Egan asks her to improve, he's rousting her along. She is alongside the first two. It's no surprise she's in the Leger on this evidence, as far as stamina goes anyway. Dancing King comes back at her.

Another thriller, another photo. Morando and Uber Cool not far behind.

The Sky coverage switched to a Deauville handicap but our fast results page has Yesyes as the winner at 7/4. I'm not sure I'd have called that on the replay! That's a double for Egan.

1402: There's a going update for the round course at Sandown which is good.

Meu Amor has been taken out of the Atalanta Stakes on account of the ground. Cresta is the sole absentee from the Solario Stakes in which Reach For The Moon is widely expected to take all the beating.

He holds Great Max on their running in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and seems to have scared off a lot of the opposition. Murphy likes his filly, Star From Afarhh, but doesn't seem to be holding out much hope that he can beat the favourite.

All set.

Murphy leads from Austrian Theory with the favourite in third, racing on the outside of Atheby.

Dettori makes his move in the middle of the track once again but this time he's not for catching as Reach For The Moon wins comfortably, tight second between Great Max and Rerouting.

Great Max confirmed as the runner-up.

1350: The last is loaded for the first on the final day of the Ebor Festival.

El Drama sets what appears to be a sensible gallop. Brunch wants to go faster than his jockey. Real World trapped wide and moves up alongside El Drama. Bunched field into the straight, the sprint for home will start soon.

They've come over to the stands' side which is interesting. That's the first time this week. Real World is too good. Ghiani raises his whip and salutes the crowd. He's had to work hard to pull up the winner after the line.

The admirable Lord Glitters is second.

"He's a very nice horse," says Saeed bin Suroor. "I'm happy with him, a mile or a mile and quarter will be his trip."

He goes on to pay tribute to Sakhee who he trained.

That's a first Group Three winner for Ghiani and we should hear from him before heading to Sandown for the Solario.

He's with Oli Bell: "I really like him, honestly, I love him. I'm really grateful for him to Mr Suroor and all the yard."

When asked if Real World can go to the top, he replied: "I can't believe why not but we'll see."

He holds entries for the QEII and Champion Stakes at Ascot in October and was getting quotes of around 8/1.

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1344: It's two from two for Dascombe at Chester with Fools Rush In winning the second at 10/1; Tom Eaves the man in the saddle.

Chapman tries to put words in Marco Ghiani's mouth, opening up their interview with the suggestion that the jockey said Real World was a Group One horse.

"I never said he was (a Group One horse) but he's got lots of ability and is improving all the time so I think he will have a good shout although the race is very hard. I think the ground is nearly perfect for him.

"He's got a good chance and I'm really looking forward to it."

The favourite is 10/11 now but Dixon (I think it's Martin rather than Chris who was on duty this morning but they're not in picture) thinks that's surprisingly short; he's hoping for a good run from My Oberon.

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1338: Lydia Hislop and Fran Berry are casting their eyes over the field for the Sky Bet and Symphony Group Strensall Stakes which gets York's card underway. I'll stay with them rather than change channels for the good handicap from Chester where Boardman is favourite.

Brunch has been well backed from 11s for this opener at York but I think any juice in his price has long gone.

Bell Rock also featured in the morning market movers but I'm not keen on his chance regardless of his price.

My Oberon is getting quite warm in the ring which may not be good news for supporters of the second favourite. El Drama has run in the Eclipse and then behind Baaeed on his last two starts but is surprisingly weak in the market. There's some cash around for the popular Lord Glitters who won this race in 2018 but has a penalty to cope with.

He looks very fit and well apparently.

1332: Willie Mullins is at York says Matt Chapman and Mrs Mullins is there too and he claims that is significant as she bred Mt Leinster. He's the 5/1 favourite for the Sky Bet Ebor.

Racing at Sandown.

Dettori comes down the centre of the course at Sandown, the rain must have got into the ground. Liamarty Dreams stayed fairly straight and stayed prominent for a long while before being passed by Implore who looked like winning for a few strides before Hamaki swept past to win for Haggas and Richard Kingscote.

Kingscote might have been expected to be in action at Chester if you'd rolled the clock back a few weeks but he's no longer attached to the Dascombe yard and he'll have a smile on his face after that performance; it was quite taking.

Luck and Shinners are chatting at York and the former says it's still dry there and that the sun is trying to shine through the clouds.

The forecast couldn't be wrong could it?

Not good news for Haggas and Hamish.

1326: Murphy rides Strozzi here but wasn't asked about his chances when interviewed after the first race: "Conditions suited him, it was a good bit of placing. I'd imagine the grass is wet, I'd imagine it's good and a little bit slower in places.

"I've seen plenty of her (Star From Afarhh) but I haven't sat on her at home, this is a tougher task against the colts and I think reach For The Moon will be very hard to beat.

"Big filly (Auria), hopefully she behaves in the preliminaries. Won well here last time, this is tougher, but she's trained well since and I hope she'll go very well."

You can find more in his column of course and this is what he had to tell us about Strozzi who is the new favourite.

"He’s done nothing wrong. He’s a very weak horse to look at but his work at home has always been solid and he’d have an each-way chance."

Millman thinks Raging is overpriced for his handicap debut, he's faced stiff tasks the last twice but hasn't been disgraced and his earlier form reads well enough. Lightfoot has just trotted out the stat that Jack Mitchell is 6/12 for Charlie Appleby, they combine with King's Guard and Millman would forgive this one his last start but thinks his mark might be on the high side; he was a colt when last seen but is now a gelding.

They're leaving the paddock and Strozzi is 9/4 on the latest show. Hamaki is 13/2 from 8s.

Apparently the rain there has got a little heavier but shouldn't rain for much longer if the forecast proves accurate.


1315: They are running at Killarney too and there will be one more from all three of those tracks before the first from York where there is a little bit of odds against available about Real World.

Marco Ghiani has shown an infectious enthusiasm in the interviews that I've seen with him this season and we should see a little more of that in around 40 minutes time.

Frankie Dettori has a decent book of rides at Sandown and his mount in the upcoming nursery, Implore, is the general 9/4 favourite from 7/2. He's from the first crop of Ulysses and I don't imagine too many of them have proved precocious. It took this colt four attempts to open his account and the cheekpieces he wore on that occasion have been retained.

Ulysses has had a couple of other winners, including Aeonian who won at 25/1 on debut for Sir Michael Stoute and could be a name to note over the next couple of months and beyond.

Darragh O'Keeffe and Henry de Bromhead have combined to win the first at Killarney with 7/4 favourite Given Wings.

1302: Away a couple of minutes late at Sandown and the favourite didn't read the script and lost a length or so from the gates.

Ehrmann made the ground up quickly but soon backpedalled as Devil's Angel and Murphy made the best of their way home to win comfortably. The winner was returned at 7/2.

Over at Chester the runners are leaving the paddock and Sky Sports Racing are showing an interview with John Egan, I think he was quite keen on Barbill although don't hold me to that. He rides Lady Caroline in the first as well as Yesyes in the Listed race, it could be a good day for the veteran.

Lady Caroline is into 5/2 (9/2 this morning) with Shouldavbeenmore out to 11/8 (from evens this morning). There are 30 seconds or so to post time.

6/4 the jolly as the last two are asked to go into the stalls.

Lady Caroline is slow into stride and last, that hasn't gone according to plan. The favourite races in second on the outside of Invigilate, a full sister to Expert Eye. Into the final four furlongs.

Lady Caroline into third on the turn but she had to do some running to get there and the opener goes to the judge as she forces a photo with Shouldavbeenmore. Ooh. I don't know. The favourite was in front past the line but on the line.....

Lady Caroline has won. She was returned at 5/2.

1250: There are a couple of non-runners in the first at Sandown but there still seems to have been plenty of support for Amy Murphy's Ehrmann who has taken over at the top of the market having been out at 13/2.

He ran in a decent Goodwood sprint last time which was won by Whenthedealisdone and is now tried in a visor.

Spring Bloom and Rose Hip are also being cut as Devil's Angel - Murphy riding for Jedd O'Keeffe - drifts to 7/2. There's also support for Vandam on the latest graphic, a competitive start!

The rain is 'abating a bit' at Sandown and Lightfoot passes on that Andrew Cooper told him that the forecast suggests they may have had the worst of it with little more expected after half past one.

In the opening Matthew Clark EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes at Chester, Sir Michael Stoute's Invigilate is surprisingly weak with the Tom Dacsombe trained Lady Caroline now second favourite behind Fahey's Shouldhavebeenmore.

1239: I haven't touched on Chester and the action from the Roodee may not get as much attention as it deserves.

There's the usual sort of mix on the card that you would expect but I'm particularly interested in Yes Yes who runs in the Stella Artois Chester Listed Stakes.

She was well fancied on her second start to win a Listed race at Newmarket but was found wanting. Portfolio (who ran at York in the week) was third in that contest and one of the pundits this week, Martin Dixon I think, felt that was strong form for the grade. Ralph Beckett's filly is again a short price but she still holds an entry in the St Leger and receives a handy allowance from her elders.

Little Miss Dynamo is another favourite who has the potential to go on to better things while the handicaps are as fiercely competitive as you would expect.

Exchange plays, multiple choice, stat of the day and more
Exchange plays, multiple choice, stat of the day and more

1227: Cunningham and Dixon are discussing the Julia Graves Stakes and the latter points out that Danny Tudhope will have had to work hard to get down to 8-9 in order to ride Attagirl.

Dixon is keen on her chance. It appears as though Tudhope rides here over Ballet Steps but her stablemate Boonie heads the betting and it's the market leader who gets the vote from Cunningham who thinks it may have been significant that the juvenile held an entry in the Nunthorpe.

Dixon wraps up the preview by making a case for Blind Beggar in the finale.

It's not raining at York at the moment. Will the rain arrive in time for Hamish?

Mekong has been taken out of the Sky Bet Ebor.

Cunningham is excited by seeing Real World in action, he thinks he could be very good.

Amy Ryan has been working with Stanley this morning and she gives a big shout out for her father's Boonie who she believes has a big future.

There seems to be some confidence behind a few of these favourites at York - time for an acca?

1215: There's an excellent card at Sandown too and I was mildly interested in a couple of unexposed runners in the last two races.

Further Measure is a general 25/1 (40s in a place) for the penultimate seven furlong handicap and is set to have his second start for Sylvester Kirk and first for over 200 days and first since being gelded. He runs in the same colours as Indeed who ran a huge race for Kirk at York this week when sent off at 40/1.

He did only finish sixth, tying up close home but he ran well enough to pique my interest in this French recruit who is a typically well-bred Juddmonte cast-off. This race does feature a couple of morning movers in Ibiza Rocks and Eminent Hipster and a lightly raced, talented Godolphin favourite but......

Murphy's mount Nebulosa is a filly I like and she's very solid in the finale but Karuoka is unexposed for Eve Johnson Houghton and has been nibbled at. She had a reasonable break prior to disappointing at Kempton earlier this month so may have needed the outing and it wouldn't surprise me to see a better showing this afternoon as she drops in trip for her handicap debut as she showed speed when seventh behind Baaeed at Leicester in June when trained by Saeed bin Suroor.

Both runners are speculative but priced accordingly.

Betfair's latest offer

1205: My view is probably coloured because I quite liked Ben Macdui as a juvenile but he didn't build on a good start and has gone backwards this season.

None of that is encouraging but Kevin Ryan (who surprisingly hasn't saddled a winner at York this season) has slapped a pair of blinkers on the three-year-old and he has a reasonable record when applying the headgear (4-25) and has a similar strike rate when booking Oisin McSweeney (4/24).

He was rated 102 after the Molecomb and is down to 90. It would be folly to read too much into it but he wasn't disgraced behind Dragon Symbol on his penultimate start and I wondered if it might be worth taking a flyer with him this afternoon at 33/1 (or hopefully bigger) as five furlongs on this course with a bit of cut in the ground won't hold any fears for him.

Ryan has also stuck a pair of cheekpieces on Boonie who was third in this season's Molecomb and runs in the Julia Graves Stakes, a race in which Ben Macdui finished a two length fifth.

The coverage has passed over to Sandown where Nick Lightfoot is in company with James Millman and they, too, are sheltering from the light rain. It's forecast to stay wet.

1145: I struggled to find a way into the Melrose where the prices seemed to be about right for the horses that I liked.

Dhushan heads the betting from the Aidan O'Brien top-weight and he looked like a galloper when beaten at Ascot last time when not appearing to enjoy the short straight. He's favourite and my idea of the winner but it's such a deep, competitive race that I can leave him alone at 6/1.

King of the Castle commands obvious respect and wasn't too far off Mediterranean three starts back. The Racing TV team are about to put this race under the microscope. Imperial Sun is third favourite and quite well backed.

They've just shown a clip from Fran Berry's interview with O'Brien and the trainer said: "He stays very well, he's a lovely horse, a brother of Serpentine, hopefully he's quick enough.

"We think it's a race that will suit him. We think he's on a good mark and it will be interesting to see him. If he runs well, we can think about the Leger after that."

Cunningham says he doesn't do anything quickly and isn't in a rush to take a short price about him; Dixon agrees about his lack of pace. O'Brien did say similar but that he keeps finding and believes the flat track will suit him. It's hard not to prick your ears up when he says he thinks he's on a good mark.

Moshaawer is 10s and would be interesting at twice that! He is another who still holds an entry in the St Leger and a tactical race at Newcastle last time didn't show him in his best light. He just seems to me to be priced up on potential. The presenters think he may be too immature for a race of this nature with Cunningham pointing out that he has edged left on a couple of occasoins.

Dixon likes Dhushan and Cunningham adds that 'I would love a match bet between this fellow and King of the Castle'.

"I thought he ran a tremendous race at Ascot last time, it was a messy race. He shaped as though he was still going forward in a hurry. I think he has a massive chance today" he continues.

Neither Surrey Gold nor Pleasant Man were well positioned in the same race and both line up here. Cunningham quite likes the form of that race and Surrey Gold.

Dhushan is top of Cunningham's list if you haven't guessed. Imperial Sun, Summer's Knight and Surrey Gold also on the list.

Dixon suggests you need to be better handicapped to win this race than you do the Ebor and doesn't add a selection I don't think.

1128: I can't see that support for Bell Rock.

His two best recent runs have come on the Rowley Mile when third in the Cambridgeshire and when winning a handicap this May. The tempos of those races are remarkably different from the one that will face him in the Strensall Stakes.

I'm in no rush to oppose Real World but thought that Brunch might be the one to chase him home.

The only problem being is that view seems to be a popular one as he's 7/1 third favourite which looks a little short to me given he's rated lower than El Drama and Lord Glitters; indeed he's the lowest rated runner in the field.

At the prices (of those behind the favourite) I'd rather back My Oberon at 11/2 as his claims are very obvious although I'm surprised at how easy he has been to back.

Dixon and Cunningham have been discussing the City of York Stakes. The former is a fan of the favourite Space Blues. There is lots of pace (potentially) in this seven furlong race and there's some suggestion that this could set up nicely for hold-up horses like Glorious Journey or Sir Busker as a result.

Safe Voyage won last year's renewal and is a double figure price but he hasn't been in the same form this time around. Stablemate Highfield Princess has been supported and is now shorter in the betting.

1115: Sky Bet's Michael Shinners is with Stanley in the paddock to look ahead to the day.

The firm has been building up to this day for a year Shinners reveals and his firm are paying eight places for each-way bets in the feature.

There are some reflections on crowds and Stradivarius, plaudits for the course and the team etc etc.

Mt Leinster is their best backed horse in the Sky Bet Ebor. He was about 20/1 at the start of the week. Mirann is 17/2 from 10s this morning and is the stronger of the two Johnny Murtagh horses.

Marshall Plan is 11/1 from 14s in the Sky Bet Melrose, little bits of money for Valley Forge and also Doctor Parnassus at bigger prices. If you win the Melrose you get an automatic berth in the 2022 Sky Bet Ebor. He expects Dhushan to be sent off as favourite. Haggas is still awaiting his first winner this week I think.

In the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes they have seen support for Bell Rock but Real World is solid in the market. Sky Bet are offering Money Back if your selection finishes second in that race.

Space Blues is also solid in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

Their extra place offers are seven places in the Melrose and eight in the Ebor (subject to numbers of runners etc).

Blind Beggar has been popular in the apprentice race. He's trained by Richard Fahey and you can check what he has to say about his chance in his Sporting Life column. Lucander is 17/2 from 10s in the sixth.

1101: Dixon and Cunningham are going to analyse the Sky Bet Ebor and start with Hamish.

He was favourite to beat Trueshan back in October 2019 and went half a length up before being ground down in the final half a furlong at Newbury. He's been off a long time but has been well supported in the lead-up to the race; rain would be in the favour of the former Melrose winner.

Sonnboyliston is an ante-post selection for Value Bet and is another to have run well at York in the past. He's only had 12 starts and could be open to further improvement. Cunningham is not a stats fan (at least that's the impression I've taken) but does mention that he's a four-year-old and that age group have struggled in the Ebor in recent years.

Only one four-year-old has won in the last 10 renewals with five six-year-olds, three five and one seven successful. I had a scan down the six-year-olds accordingly but struggled to find one that I fancied.

The set up of this race is expected to suit Sonnyboyliston far more than the course race he ran in last time.

Mt Leinster is another returning from an absence and the seven-year-old is the current favourite. He's only had a handful of runs on the Flat but he has beaten Cape Gentleman and Arcadian Sunrise so his form stacks up. "The market support has been pretty relentless over the last 24 hours", says Cunningham who is happy to believe he's ready to run a big race.

Shanroe won a 'win and you're in' Sky Bet race and is another favourably spoken of.

Chris Dixon liked the run of Global Storm at the start of July last month when second to ante-post favourite Live Your Dream who was balloted out of this race. He's described as a must for the short-list but the top of Cunningham's short-list 'at the prices' is Ilaraab.

"This is a faster horse than most in this field but he came home very, very very powerfully when winning here in May (Sam Cooke among those behind). He looked a potential pattern race horse here, that was a really striking performance and I don't think he fired his best shot in the Hardwicke.

"Wildly competitive race but I'm not going to give a long short-list, I'll go with Ilaraab at a double figure price."

Dixon put up Hamish at the start of the week at 9/1 and is staying with him.

1049: Graham Cunningham and Chris Dixon are chewing the cud about yesterday's Nunthorpe but it shouldn't be too long until attention is turned to the action that awaits us in a couple of hours.

The York card is hugely competitive from start to finish even if Godolphin run short-priced favourites in the two Group races.

It's hard to argue with the prices quoted for Real World and Space Blues but both runners face worthy opposition.

Tom Stanley is out on the course with Anthea Leigh and, of course, Willie the Whippet.

"It didn't start raining until about half past seven and from then to ten o'clock we've had 2mm. From 12 o'clock we might get some more light rain and from mid-afternoon we might get more persistent, heavier rain.

"We've already gone down to good ground because this rain will sink into it and the straight has had a lot of racing, the divots will kick up in the straight and if the rain mixes with that during the racing it will get taken down into the ground very quickly.

"That's why the ground can change very quickly when you're racing. That amount of rain wouldn't make a big difference on a non-raceday."

The speed of the heavier front of rain is hard to judge and could be key to the action, the Sky Bet Ebor is due off at 1535.

They go on to discuss that courses are now mandated to produce good-to-firm ground which dictates when clerks can water and explains why 'firm' ground is a less common occurrence.

Sky Bet's latest offer

1034: There are interesting runners wherever you look today and the jockeys are spread far and wide.

During Glorious Goodwood, William Buick opted to ride at an evening meeting at Sandown instead only for a deluge to cause the meeting to be abandoned. It appeared as though he had gone there to ride the unraced juvenile New Mission who failed to cope with the conditions in, I think, the last race before the meeting was called off.

That one shouldn't have any problems at Chelmsford City this evening where Royston Ffrench is the man in the saddle but Claim The Crown is currently favourite and could ask more questions.

They are by no means the only runners of interest in Essex this evening with the track hosting quite a strong card.

Racing fans will need some stamina today with Sandown getting underway at 1300 and the Curragh and Chelmsford going on long into the evening.

1027: There isn't a great deal to report at York from the Oddschecker market movers page with only two runners featuring.

They are Boonie who runs in the Listed Julia Graves Stakes and Highfield Princess (12/1 from 20s) in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

Space Blues is a warm order for this contest following a highly encouraging run in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood. His main market rival is Primo Bacio but Chapman is just reminding viewers that any rain that falls will be against her.

Ed Walker was bemoaning his filly's bad luck the other week and fortune may not be favouring her once again.

They've just made their £20 challenge selections and Chapman has put up Saffron Beach as he's keen to take on the Gosden horse which reminds me that I read positive words in Hollie Doyle's blog last night.

The Sky Sports Racing ambassador said: "Jane has her in great nick now, I can tell you. I rode her in a nice swinging canter up Long Hill in Newmarket on Wednesday morning in preparation for this race and couldn’t have been happier with her."

There's often no explanation why one horse grabs you more than another but I took to Saffron Beach at an early stage and it would be good to see her back to the form which saw her finish second in the Guineas.

1020: Galileo has passed from the stallion ranks this year and has been joined by another famous name from a similar vintage in Sakhee.

The brilliant Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner has died at the age of 24, Shadwell have announced.

Carrying the blue and white silks of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, the Bahri colt finished second in the 2000 Derby to Sinndar when trained by John Dunlop and then fourth to Giant’s Causeway in the Eclipse, in a portent of what was to come.

Sakhee joined Godolphin and Saeed bin Suroor for his four-year-old season, winning the Juddmonte International and Arc before being beaten a nose by Tiznow in an unforgettable Breeders’ Cup Classic on the dirt at Belmont Park.

A statement on the Shadwell website read: “Shadwell legend Sakhee, crowned Europe’s champion older horse in 2001, was put down on Friday due to the infirmities of old age. He was 24.

“Sakhee was bred by the late Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and was the best performer sired by Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Bahri. He was one of eight winners out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Thawakib, whose biggest success came in the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“After being born and raised at Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Farm in Kentucky, it was only fitting that Sakhee was sent to Arundel to be trained by John Dunlop, as he had overseen the careers of both Bahri and Thawakib.

“Sakhee had been living out a happy retirement at Nunnery Stud since his retirement from breeding at the end of 2016. He will be much missed by everyone in the Shadwell operation.”

1015: Chapman thinks that Reach For The Moon 'could be really special' and he's odds on for the Solario Stakes at Sandown.

He's trained by John and Thady Gosden and the yard has won the race five times, most recently with Too Darn Hot (2018), Kingman (2013), and Raven's Pass (2007).

Gosden tends to win the Group Three with good horses which is exciting for the owner and racing fans alike.

He was second at Royal Ascot to Point Lonsdale who was talked up by Fran Berry on Racing TV this week and the Ballydoyle colt is long odds-on to win the Futurity this evening. It promises to be a fascinating day's racing.

York Ebor Saturday Best Bets | "He's an interesting horse at double-figure prices"

1010: You can see from the TurfTrax tweet below that the conditions at York have already eased.

When Anthea Leigh spoke at around this time yesterday, the forecast was for a dry spell after the morning band of rain (Oli Bell said it was just easing off) before the rain resumed again from around one o'clock.

There is also rain forecast for Sandown Park and this is what the company's tweet says about the Esher venue:

"Going @Sandownpark for today's meeting is Round: Good, Good to Firm (in places) Sprint: Good. GoingStick: Round: 7.2 Sprint: 7.1 on 21-08-2021 at 08:00. Likely to stay dry until midday Saturday, with rain possible from early afternoon."

There is only one non-runner at each venue so far but a few more from the other tracks with four out at Chester.

1003: I remembered to put The Opening Show on while setting up and Mick Fitzgerald was talking to Anna Lisa Balding out on the course.

She said of Tribal Craft: "She's a lovely big filly and we all know she wants a bit of cut and this ground is perfect for her.

"It's been amazing (the season), we're going to live it while it's going.

"It was a great result for racing and Spanish Mission is going to have his day and maybe that day will be on the first Tuesday in November."

Spanish Mission is 16/1 for the Melbourne Cup.

She added that the big winner they want is the Ebor but stopped to mention their runners at Sandown where Oisin Murphy is riding.

Matt Chapman was repeating some Sky Bet Ebor stats and (I think) he said that 16 recent winners have come from stall 14 or higher which is not necessarily what you would imagine.

He's with Fujaira Prince while Megan Nicholls likes Global Storm and Oli Bell has put up Alounak


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