One trainer

Mark Johnston is in the midst of another fine season and it is no surprise to see a mob-handed approach from the winningmost British trainer on the first day of the Ebor meeting at York. 

Nayef Road conquered Constantinople by a neck in the Gordon Stakes last time and has a fine chance of upholding the form in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (3.00) for the trainer. 

Johnston will hope stable star Elarqam can reward his faith when aiming for Group 1 honours in the Juddmonte International (3.35), after the promising Kingman juvenile Kingbrook bids to follow up his Ascot novice victory in the Acomb Stakes (2.25). 

It is no surprise Johnston is also strongly represented in the handicaps, with his four-pronged challenge on the Sky Bet Nursery (4.50) consisting of Rose Of Kildare, Praxeology, Monoski and Homespin.

Progressive New Approach colt Charles Kingsley, who was fifth to stablemate and Sky Bet Ebor favourite King’s Advice at Goodwood last time, completes Johnston’s high-class team in the Sky Bet Handicap (4.15). 

One jockey

It could be argued that Ryan Moore has not enjoyed his best season, but the cream always rises to the top and the riding ace could be laughing after the first day of the festival with a fine book of mounts.

He combines with master trainer Aidan O’Brien for his first three rides of the day, where Harpocrates would have a squeak in the Acomb (2.25) before Constantinople looks to reverse form with Nayef Road in the Great Voltigeur (3.00).

However, Moore’s most exciting mount of all is undoubtedly Japan in the Juddmonte International (3.35). The three-year-old’s last two performances at Royal Ascot and Longchamp have marked him down as a top-class prospect and he could certainly throw a cat among the pigeons against his elders here. 

Moore combines with a couple of old allies for two rides in the handicaps. He teams up with Sir Michael Stoute in the Sky Bet Handicap (4.15) on Melting Dew before partnering the Richard Hannon-trained Hard Nut in the Sky Bet Nursery (4.50). 

One horse

Persuasion was never able to strut his stuff for Jeremy Noseda before the Group 1-winning trainer called time on his career but Noseda’s loss was Charlie Hills’s gain, as the Acclamation juvenile scooped a typically hot Goodwood maiden in good style on his debut this month. 

The two-year-old puts his undefeated record on the line in the Acomb Stakes (2.25) and Hills’s reliance on just the Susan Roy-owned colt in the Group 3 is surely a significant move. 

The trainer has won two of the last five runnings of the Acomb with Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain (2018) and stable stalwart Dutch Connection (2014).

One race

The feature race of the meeting and one of the highest-quality middle-distance races of the year takes centre stage on Wednesday with the Juddmonte International (3.35) attracting an enthralling line-up. 

Officially rated the best horse on the planet, Crystal Ocean is a warm order to add a second Group 1 to his CV after his victory in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Japan and Circus Maximus add further intrigue to the field, along with the unexposed King Of Comedy for the powerful John Gosden-Frankie Dettori axis. 

Added depth comes in the form of talented older horses Elarqam and Regal Reality, along with the international representative Cheval Grand, suggesting the race is absolutely up to scratch. 

fonte : RacingPost