Twenty entrants for the richest handicap race in Europe and Flymetothestars could have a great chance if transfering his all-weather form to the turf.
The current 7/1 favourite is trained by Sir Mark Prescott, who is in great form having won the Nunthorpe with Marsha yesterday. He remains unexposed and could be dangerous off a mark of 102, but I’d rather side with a horse with form in the bank for a race like this.
TOP TUG tries this race for a second year running having finished a lowly 12/20 last season. He carries an extra 6lbs which is not ideal, but he is in much better form this time around, running improved performances at a higher grade and so doesn’t look weighted out-of-it off a mark of 105.
He was in receipt of just 3lbs from Frontiersman on his flat season reappearance when he finished two and a half lengths second, before following that up with a comfortable two lengths victory in a 1m 6f outing at Goodwood with the likes of Blakeney Point and Oriental Fox well behind.
Alan King has been in scintillating form and has four winners with his last eight flat runners. This has been the aim for Top Tug over the entire summer and should be fresh having had a nice 64 day break.
This looks to be his trip with further evidence coming from his latest run in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot. He finished a neck down in fourth place on that appearance when just held by Star Storm who re-opposes on 1lb worse terms. Top Tug was gathering momentum in the latter stages of that race having had to take the widest route of all, and ultimately only finished three lengths down on a good winner in Rare Rhythm.
He looked to be outstaying the James Fanshawe runner and is preferred on this occasion with what could be a plum draw in two.
Rosika almost won the Ebor for Sir Michael Stoute in 2010 and her daughter, DUBKA, has a great chance of going one better drawn on the other side of the track in stall 19. This beautifully bred Dubawi filly has just 10 career starts and after rattling off four wins on the bounce last season, she has been unlucky not to land at least one Group 3 this campaign.
After a poor return in a Listed race at Goodwood, Dubka continued her progress when going down by just over a length to the classy French colt Bateel in a Group 3 at Haydock in June.
She was a little outclassed on fast ground in the Lancashire Oaks on her next start, before running the best race of her career stepping up in trip to 1m 6f at Glorious Goodwood in testing ground.
She finished a neck second racing off level-weights with the 110 rated Endless Time, and comes in to this off the same mark of 102. She represents the Lady Rothschild connections and could be well-treated back in a handicap with the trip set to suit. She is versatile with regards the going and looks a decent looking price at 11/1.
0.75pt each-way Top Tug @11/1, 15:35 York, Saturday
0.75pt each-way Dubka @11/1, 15:35 York, Saturday
Skybet offering 1/5 odds, first six places
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