Top weight Harbour Wind is part of a strong Irish contingent among the 28 confirmations for Saturday’s Sky Bet Ebor.
Dermot Weld’s four-year-old, who won a Listed race on his only outing this season, will need to carry weight against all but Brian Ellison’s classy Tashkhan to secure victory.
Ellison might also enter his Northumberland Plate winner Onesmoothoperator, aiming for a historic double.
In addition to Harbour Wind, Aidan O’Brien could run the prominent ante-post contender Queenstown. Jessica Harrington has left Yashin in the mix, and Gavin Cromwell is set to be represented by the smart dual-purpose horse My Mate Mozzie.
Willie Mullins, seeking his third win in the race, may run either Hipop De Loire or Lot Of Joy. However, he has withdrawn Royal Ascot winner Belloccio, who is entered for a timber race at Kilbeggan.
Henry de Bromhead’s useful hurdler Magical Zoe is another contender from Ireland.
De Bromhead commented: “Magical Zoe is in good form. She’ll head for the Ebor next weekend, and we’ll see how she performs. She had a nice run at Fairyhouse in her last race.”
Among the leading British contenders are William Haggas-trained Naqeeb, David O’Meara’s Epic Poet, and Andrew Balding’s trio of Relentless Voyager, Fairbanks, and Night Sparkle.
Naqeeb, owned by Shadwell, has his assistant racing manager Richard Hills noting: “It’s a competitive race. Being drawn in the middle to inside would be ideal, and I think he’d have a strong each-way chance.”
The Sky Bet City Of York Stakes might see a rematch between Audience and Kinross.
Audience, a revelation this season for John and Thady Gosden, has won the Lockinge at Newbury and the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood. Despite being seven, Kinross continues to perform well for Ralph Beckett. Kinross has five lengths to make up from Goodwood but previously had Audience back in second when winning the race last year.
Haggas’ three-year-old Lake Forest and Richard Hannon’s Shouldvebeenaring also add depth to the field.
In the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, Alyanaabi, Enfjaar, My Prospero, and See The Fire are all in contention.