SUMMER has come and gone but there is still time to raise a glass of summer wine to York's three-day Ebor meeting, when the north hosts the cream of this year's crop.
Many's the time I've come away from the Knavesmire after dumping the newspaper form in the nearest waste-paper bin. Yet time after time the same trainer's faces end up in the winner's enclosure.
I'ts definitely one of those places where if the face fits, back it.
Supreme among the York specialists is Sir Michael Stoute. I always look at anything saddled by either of the Easterbies, Mick or nephew Tim, followed by Mark Tompkins, Brendan Meehan and Mark Johnston.
Tuesday opens proceedings with the Juddmonte International, but the 1.30pm opening race is a hard-to-crack handicap. Greek Envoy will be hard to beat if fulfilling his potential,but watch out for Stoute's Galileo colt GALACTIC STAR, a one-time Eobor hope who is sure to improve for an extra two furlongs. Hernando Royal could run into a place.
The 2pm Lonsdale Cup brings together some classy stayers. If this race is run at a false pace expect Balkan Knight to use his finishing speed.Sergeant Cecil will be a popular choice - he's a Desert Orchid-type favourite with the crowds and with Frankie D on board will probably start favourite.
However, SEPTIMUS is a classy sort from Aidan O'Brien's stable (he has top cup horse Yeats) and can show this lot a clean pair of heels.
Other fancies are AUTHORIZED in the Juddmonte International, the Epsom Derby winner to redeem his reputation in the International, a Meehan flier FAST COMPANY in the 3.50pm and DARK TARA, much better than the form suggests, in the 4.25pm.
RIVER FALCON should not be deserted after a muddling sort of a season with ground conditions turning perfect for the sprinter's autumnal campaign in the 5pm.
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