Latest horse racing news from UK, Ireland, and around the world.

Never So Brave hits Group One target in City of York

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Never So Brave successfully graduated to the highest level in a pulsating renewal of the Sky Bet City of York Stakes, with hot favourite Rosallion only fourth.

Never So Brave joined Andrew Balding following Sir Michael Stoute’s retirement and since finishing a close second on his stable debut at Chester, the four-year-old had dominated the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot in June before following up in the Group Two Summer Mile at the Berkshire track last month.

He was 7-2 to complete his hat-trick in a race carrying Group One status for the first time, with Richard Hannon’s Rosallion an even-money shot after being beaten a nose and neck in the Queen Anne and Sussex Stakes respectively.

With Quinault setting a strong gallop from the off, the two market principals were given time to find their feet before being delivered and it was Never So Brave who hit the front under Oisin Murphy heading inside the final furlong.

Rosallion did his best to reel him in, with Maranoa Charlie and and Lake Forest also arriving late on the scene to set up a grandstand finish, but Never So Brave clung on to beat the latter by half a length, with Maranoa Charlie and Rosallion close up behind in third and fourth.

Anna-Lisa Balding, assistant to her husband, said: “We’re absolutely delighted, it was a wonderful ride, and thank you Sir Michael Stoute who has been very kind to us.

“He’s matured through the year and Andrew has done a pretty good job, I suppose!

“He ran over a mile last time and was dropping back to seven furlongs today. He has got a few quirks and I think as a colt he probably wouldn’t be as good as he is now – I think the gelding operation has been the making of him.”

The Queen presents the trophy to Oisin Murphy after Never So Brave's York success
The Queen presents the trophy to Oisin Murphy after Never So Brave’s York success (Richard Sellers/PA)

Philip Robinson, racing manager for winning owner Saeed Suhail, said: “Slowly, and bit by bit, he’s improved until we’ve got to the Group One.

“It’s been absolutely perfect. Andrew has taken his time and gradually climbed the ladder and now the horse has got so much confidence, which he needed to win today.

“He was tough. I was quite confident once he got to the front as it looked to me like he was fighting everything off and we know he gets a mile, which is an added bonus when you get into a tight finish over seven furlongs as you know they’re going to keep going.”

Never So Brave is 10-1 from 16-1 with Coral for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot. When asked whether that was a likely target, Robinson added: “It’s a possibility. We’ll have to sit down with the owner and trainer and see where we go next, but I’d imagine he’ll stay in training next year as well.”

Tarriance triumphs in Melrose thriller at York

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Andrew Balding claimed his third Sky Bet Melrose Handicap in the last six years as Tarriance touched off Many Men in a barnstorming finish at York.

The Kingsclere handler saddled his top-class stayer Coltrane to land the £170,000 contest in 2020 and having followed up 12 months later with Valley Forge, he fired a twin assault this time around.

Tarriance, winner of two of his four previous starts, appeared the stable’s first string at 5-1 and travelled strongly into the home straight under a confident Colin Keane.

After briefly hitting a flat spot, Tarriance got his second wind inside the final furlong and he and Jim Boyle’s well backed 9-2 favourite Many Men soon drew clear of the chasing pack before passing the post almost as one, but the judge confirmed Balding’s charge as the winner by a nose.

Keane said: “I wasn’t sure on crossing the line if we’d got there. To be fair, Oisin’s (Murphy, riding Many Men) horse probably helped him, but he quickened up nicely and then got a bit lonely.

“He’s a horse who has progressed with each run and stepping up in trip has helped.

“He’s a nice staying horse going forward, in time he’ll get further, he’s got a good mind and wants to win as well. I’d say there’s a bit more to come.”

Barry Mahon, racing manager for owners Juddmonte, said: “Hopefully he’s going to make up into a nice horse for staying races next season.”

Tim Easterby trained Winter Power to win the 2021 Nunthorpe for King Power Racing and in her sister Revival Power (13-2), he has another speedy filly on his hands for the same connections.

She battled back gamely to see off Military Code to win the Julia Graves Roses Stakes by a head.

“She’s a big filly who is weak and she can only get better,” said Easterby.

“It’s a long shot she’ll be as good as her sister, but not many are.

“She’s won a Listed race so we’ll see what we do, something like the Cornwallis might be a race to look at.”

Northern Ticker (12-1) and Danny Tudhope led home veteran stablemate Commanche Falls to give trainer Michael Dods a one-two in the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap.

Dods said: “He’s always been a good horse, even last year. He won his two then we went for the Two Year Old Trophy Trophy at Redcar thinking he could win it (finished third). Paul Mulrennan rode him as he does at home, he had to ride for Jim Goldie today, and he just got there too soon.

“There’s been nothing wrong with him this season but it’s been frustrating waiting for some softer ground. He’s so raw he needed races, which is why he ran at Hamilton.

“I’d have been disappointed if he was beaten today, even off 99, but it’s just a shame he had to beat Commanche Falls.

“He’s a very strong traveller so Ayr has to be on the radar. Danny said he’s so straightforward, so it will probably be that next and we’ll see where he ends up next year.”

Tudhope doubled up in the concluding Sky Bet Steve Birch Finale Handicap aboard 11-1 shot Dain Ma Nut In, who provided Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore with a first winner since their training partnership became official.

“He’s a very game horse but he’s not an easy ride. Steve (Fox, brother of stable jockey Derek) rides him out every day at home and I don’t know how he perseveres with him to be honest – he’s a bit of a handful,” said Tudhope.

“He’s a keen-going sort who likes to get on with things and when the second horse (Per Contra) came upsides me, he just ran away from him.

“He’s a little bit tricky and awkward to ride, but he keeps going for you.”

King Of Cities secures Strensall crown

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King Of Cities narrowly outpointed Boiling Point to provide owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid with a one-two in the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes at York.

A quality field of eight runners went to post for the Group Three opener on the fourth and final day of the Ebor Festival, with the William Haggas-trained Bullet Point the 9-4 favourite to make it two wins on the Knavesmire this week following a lucrative handicap success on Thursday.

Boiling Point set out to make all the running, with Bullet Point and King Of Cities his nearest pursuers – and while the market leader weakened when push came to shove, the Richard Hannon-trained 11-1 shot King Of Cities came home strongly under Sean Levey to get up by a head.

Skukuza, who was ridden with more restraint, was finishing best of all and was only a neck further behind in third, with Bullet Point faltering into seventh.

Hannon said: “We’ve always thought a lot of this horse but he has been a bit wayward on occasions, but it was Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s idea to run him over this trip.

“He missed the break again but that might have worked in his favour today as the plan was to make the running – I’m delighted.

“He’s nearly won a lot of money so his owner will be very pleased as he’s a home bred – we ran him in the French Derby.

“This was a ‘win and you’re in’ for the Bahrain International and I’ll speak to his owner to see what he wants to do, he’d certainly have no issues with the travelling.

“He’s got a big future, he’s all about next year.

“We’ll see where we go next, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid will make the call and he was adamant about stepping him up in trip – and he was right.

“He’s a good horse. He’s by that stallion Dubawi, I don’t know if you’ve heard of him but he’s got a future!”

Morny magic on the cards from Gstaad and company

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Coventry Stakes winner Gstaad is Aidan O’Brien’s chosen representative as he goes in search of a sixth victory in what looks a mouthwatering edition of the Sumbe Prix Morny on Sunday.

Johannesburg (2001), Blackbeard (2022) and Whistlejacket (2024) are the Ballydoyle handler’s last three winners of the juvenile Group One at Deauville and in Gstaad he saddles another leading contender.

The Starspangledbanner colt got the better of his top-class stablemate True Love when making a winning debut at Navan in May and followed up with a dominant victory at Royal Ascot the following month.

Having since missed a planned rematch with True Love in the Phoenix Stakes, Gstaad has been rerouted to France and O’Brien said: “All has been good with him so far after he had to miss the Phoenix.

“I don’t think the ground matters to him, it was beautiful ground at Deauville last week anyway so that would suit him.

“He’s been good and I think there’s improvement in him since the Coventry.”

Gstaad renews rivalry with the Clive Cox-trained Coppull, who was just over three lengths behind when third in the Coventry and has since impressed in winning the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

Cox said: “We were thrilled with his success in the Richmond and he’s pleased me since.

“I think it was very much a step forward with more experience at Goodwood and I think the track was more able to showcase his ability.

“I’m very pleased he’s in great nick for Sunday, fingers crossed the ground will be fine and I’m very much looking forward to it.”

The only filly in the six-strong field is Venetian Sun, who since making a successful start to her career at Carlisle has landed the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket, beating Thursday’s Lowther Stakes winner Royal Fixation on the latter occasion.

Trainer Karl Burke said: “I’m looking forward to it. She’s travelled over there and as long as she gets in the paddock in the shape she left I’ll be very happy.

“She’s in great form and obviously her form is rock solid. Her form all along has been franked and apart from True Love, who blotted her copybook in the Phoenix the other day, she probably has the best juvenile filly form going so far this season.

“We think she goes there with a big chance and we’ll see how good she is.”

Further strength in depth is added by Charlie Appleby’s Wise Approach, who was second to O’Brien’s Charles Darwin in the Norfolk Stakes at the Royal meeting before routing the opposition in Newbury’s Rose Bowl in mid-July.

Speaking on the Godolphin website, Appleby said: “Wise Approach was impressive on his last performance. He needs to step up again in this company, but we feel he has the ability.

“The style of race and track at Deauville should suit and hopefully he gets a nice, sound surface. It is a strong field and a great race to participate in.”

Meanwhile, American raider Outfielder bids to provide Wesley Ward with his fourth Morny success, with jockey David Egan thrilled to be aboard the exciting youngster as retained rider for Amo Racing, who own the Speightstown colt together with former MLB star Jayson Werth and Ward himself.

“Yeah (I’m excited),” Egan said. “I sat on him the other morning, feels great and can’t wait.

“He was meant to race at Royal Ascot so it’s been a long time coming.

“He’s won a maiden so he’s got to step up big, but he’s the type of horse that Wesley knows what he’s doing, he’s prepared well, travelled over good, looks a picture and goes there in great form, so fingers crossed he’s good enough.”

There is one sole French-trained runner in the race with Henri-Francois Devin’s Imperial Me Cen.

Racing Bulletin for 23/08/2025

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York Eyecatcher Spyce can add plenty of interest going forward

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Spyce looks set to be an interesting prospect for Alan King after a fast-finishing second over seven furlongs on debut in the British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes at York.

The 280,000 guineas breeze-up buy was in midfield as the Aidan O’Brien-trained Frescobaldi hit the front with two furlongs to go. However, the Too Darn Hot colt produced a smart turn of foot to power his way through the field inside the closing furlong.

Spyce momentarily threatened to snatch the victory before finding the line three-quarters behind the front-running favourite, who had the benefit of two prior outings.

Frescobaldi helps Ryan Moore reach century of York winners

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Ryan Moore secured his 100th winner at York aboard Frescobaldi in the British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes.

It has not been the week many expected for Moore, with dual Derby hero Lambourn and Eclipse winner Delacroix both suffering defeat.

However, he did steer the Richard Hughes-trained Star Of Mehmas to a lucrative handicap success on Wednesday and having made it 99 course winners when getting back in the Group One-winning groove on Minnie Hauk in Thursday’s Yorkshire Oaks, he reached the landmark on Friday.

Frescobaldi, fifth at the Curragh and second at Fairyhouse on his two previous starts for Aidan O’Brien, was sent off at 100-30 to make it third time lucky in what is traditionally one of the strongest maidens of the season, with a total prize fund of £100,000 up for grabs.

Always to the fore, Frescobaldi was coaxed to the front approaching the final furlong and knuckled down well for pressure to see off the challenge of promising newcomer Spyce by three-quarters of a length.

On reaching his century on the Knavesmire, Moore said: “I’ve always enjoyed riding at York, it’s a great racecourse and hopefully we can keep coming back here.”

Ain’t Nobody proves 100-1 odds wide of the mark with brave Nunthorpe effort

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Kevin Ryan was rewarded for keeping the faith in Ain’t Nobody as he outran odds of 100-1 to finish runner-up in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

The three-year-old won the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot as a juvenile and looked to return to form at the same track this year when a good third in the Commonwealth Cup Trial, but four unplaced runs since meant he headed to the Knavesmire as a rank outsider.

Under Kevin Stott he made a mockery of that estimation, going down by a length and a quarter to the Australian mare Asfoora.

“I’m not one to bring horses to make up the numbers. I never have done it and never will,” Ryan said.

“It’s not about being proved right, it’s having faith in the horse. The owners never question what I do. I told them he was in great form and I said we were going to ride him cold as they’re going to go hard here.

“I said we’ll ride him like when he won at Royal Ascot and it’s worked out a treat.”

William Knight’s King Charles III Stakes second Frost At Dawn was third, another placing at the top level for the 10-1 shot, who was partnered by Mickael Barzalona.

“She’s a star. She’s placed in a Group One again, of course you want to win these races so naturally it’s a bit frustrating,” said Knight.

“She was probably a bit slow away, but Mickael got her up into a nice position, she’s one who just needs to go through the gears but she has run a blinder.

“She’s had plenty of seconds and now a third, but how can you complain? Third in a Group One. I’d just love to find that win at this level.

“She’s not in the Flying Five, but she is in the Abbaye, the ground might go wrong that day for her and the place I’d really love to go to is Del Mar (Breeders’ Cup).”

In fourth was Night Raider, whose trainer Karl Burke said: “That was his best run on turf. When everything goes smoothly for him and he’s relaxed in the prelims and at the start, he’s a horse with a lot of natural ability.

“He’s in the Flying Five and he’s in the Abbaye. He’ll run in all those big sprints and hopefully one day he’ll fall on one.”

Asfoora powers to Nunthorpe victory for Australia

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Australian speedster Asfoora tasted success on British soil once again when blazing her way to victory in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

Henry Dwyer’s horse of a lifetime was a Royal Ascot winner when adding spice to the sprinting scene last year and the enduring enterprise of connections was rewarded on the Knavesmire, as the 11-1 shot bettered last year’s fourth in the hands of Oisin Murphy.

Always ideally placed following the blistering pace set by Karl Burke’s Night Raider, Asfoora hit top gear with a furlong to run, scorching a length and a quarter clear of Kevin Ryan’s 100-1 shot Ain’t Nobody, who finished well for second. William Knight’s Frost At Dawn was third.

Dwyer said: “I’d love to see the replay because it looked like she won quite convincingly.

“When you know they are going to win at the two-furlong marker you are sort of on pretty good terms with yourself. It was an easy watch and it was great to be around a lot of friends, really enjoyable.

“It’s just an incredible buzz to be validated with what you think. It was a little bit dicey and people were doubting her, but we didn’t really lose faith.

“It’s always hard to keep faith when they aren’t winning, but we knew there were no excuses coming into today – it was win or be retired basically, and she’s done the job.”

Henry Dwyer (left) with Asfoora after winning the Nunthorpe
Henry Dwyer (left) with Asfoora after winning the Nunthorpe (Richard Sellers/PA)

Having become only the second Australian-trained winner of the Nunthorpe after Ortensia’s victory in 2012, Asfoora’s stay in Europe is set to continue into the early autumn, with next month’s Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh and the Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc weekend at ParisLongchamp under consideration.

“The Flying Five in Ireland and the Prix de l’Abbaye in France (are options), if she comes through this well,” Dwyer added.

“At this stage, she’s a seven-year-old mare, and she may tell us she doesn’t want to be there any more, but off the back of that result you can’t say that is the case.”

He went on: “We never set out to come over here, there were just no options back in Australia. Australian racing is amazing and the prize-money is amazing, but it just doesn’t quite cater for five-furlong horses like they do over here.

“We are under no illusions – we aren’t Black Caviar or Ortensia. But she’s picked her mark and she’s tough and she turns up and runs her race when the circumstances are right and she’s done that today.

“Ortensia is the only Australia sprinter to win the Nunthorpe before and it’s probably the second biggest sprint in Europe, so it’s amazing for us to win it too.”

Lifeplan pounces in Gimcrack for Declan Carroll and Zak Wheatley

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A significant step up in class proved no barrier to success for Declan Carroll’s Lifeplan in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at York.

A €165,000 yearling purchase in October last year, the Kodi Bear colt made a winning start to his career at Thirsk in late July but faced a far sterner test at Group Two level on the Knavesmire.

Settled in midfield by Zak Wheatley for much of the six-furlong contest, Lifeplan (13-2) found plenty when asked to reel in Rock On Thunder and was a length in front at the line, with 2-1 favourite Do Or Do Not five lengths further behind in third, as he again placed in a Pattern event.

“He’s a very nice horse and he’s always showed that he’s a nice horse,” said Malton-based Carroll.

“I would have liked a bit more juice in the ground, he changed legs once or twice.

“He’s a nice horse to go forward with, you saw how he ran down the leader and we’ve always held him in high regard.

“I thought it was a stiff task after just winning a novice to come into a Group Two, but he is very streetwise.

“We’ll enjoy today. He could be a Guineas horse, I guess, he’s in the Middle Park and that may his next step, but I’d want a bit of ease in the ground coming into the dip at Newmarket.”

Lifeplan and Zak Wheatley after winning the Gimcrack Stakes at York
Lifeplan and Zak Wheatley after winning the Gimcrack Stakes at York (Richard Sellers/PA)

A jubilant Wheatley – who is still eligible to claim 3lb – said: “It’s amazing – there’s no feeling like this. To be trusted with him on the track is massive. I look after him every day at home, so I know him well.

“He was a bit keen going down and we had a plan to get a lead, but he jumped smart and came back underneath me after a few strides. It’s a long straight and he really took off at the end.

“I thought at one stage we were struggling to get the runner-up, but this horse is amazing. He’s a beast, that’s got such an engine.”

Of Rock Of Thunder, fellow Malton trainer Kevin Ryan said: “We were a little bit concerned about the ground, that it might be a little bit too quick for him, but he handled it OK.

“He’s jumped, he’s travelled and got up fairly quickly when we went past the two and I thought it was done and dusted.

“But he’s a very good horse, we think an awful lot of him and he’ll have bigger and better days ahead.

“When you get done late on it’s hard, Declan is a friend of mine and I’m delighted for him, but I’m obviously disappointed.

“He’s run great, he’s a young horse and an exciting horse for the future. We got beat and I’m delighted for the connections of the winner.”

Trawlerman digs deep for Lonsdale Cup glory

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Trawlerman confirmed himself as the standout performer in the staying division in the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes at York.

John and Thady Gosden’s seven-year-old won the Ebor on the Knavesmire three years ago and remained unbeaten on home soil this season with a performance that may have been less conclusive than his Gold Cup romp, but equally impressive in the manner in which he professionally repelled his rivals.

Unable to get his own way at the front this time with Aidan O’Brien’s Shackleton alongside throughout the majority of the early exchanges, William Buick pushed his mount along entering the home straight and asked for him to showcase the stamina that is his forte.

Unlike at Royal Ascot when the 5-6 favourite left his rivals trailing, they were queuing up in his slipstream this time around but Trawlerman showed his relentless staying power to gallop on to the line and lead home a Clarehaven one-two, with well-backed stablemate Sweet William a length and a quarter adrift in second.

Trawlerman was made the 6-4 favourite from 2-1 with Coral for the Qipco Long Distance Cup at Ascot on British Champions Day, with his handler suggesting that would be his next target.

John Gosden said: “The two of them have come away and they are proper, proper staying horses.

“One is seven and the other is six, and they are a lot of fun because staying races are an important part of our programme, so it’s lovely to see him come from the Gold Cup to win the Lonsdale.

“We will freshen him up now and all being well, he will run one more time this year at Ascot on Champions Day.

“The horses tell you if you listen to them, if you force them, it never works. We are delighted with them both and to see the quality of that, it’s a long straight here and it was a proper old battle between the pair of them.

“It will be Doncaster (for Sweet William) all being well.

“He’s (Trawlerman) getting on, and you have to respect his age.

“They tell you how to train, the older they get, they get a little wiser than the trainer, so you listen to them and they tell you.”

Al Nayyir delighted trainer Tom Clover in finishing third, beaten a total of five and a half lengths

He said: “He ran a lovely race, they didn’t go overly hard but he was able to pick up nicely.

“I think now, with the age he is, he might just appreciate a little more cut in the ground but that said, we’ve given them a good race and we’re thrilled with our boy.

“He deserves to pick up a Group race at some point and hopefully he can do that soon.

“Doncaster might come a touch soon for him, we’ll have to see how he is, otherwise there’s the Listed Rose Bowl at Newmarket.”

O’Briens hoping to cash in with A Boy Named Susie at the Curragh

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Donnacha O’Brien and his sister Ana are out to end their father’s dominance in the Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Tom Cooper Irish EBF Futurity Stakes with the exciting A Boy Named Susie at the Curragh on Saturday.

Aidan O’Brien has won the race a record 17 times, with the likes of Giant’s Causeway (1999), Hawk Wing (2001) and more recently Henry Longfellow (2023) and Henri Matisse (2024) among the distinguished Ballydoyle alumni on the roll of honour.

He is well represented once again with Constitution River, who built on his narrow defeat at Newmarket on debut when scoring nicely at Galway. But it his son who could prove the fly in the ointment with his impressive Killarney winner, who is owned by Ana O’Brien.

Donnacha O’Brien said: “He’s in good form and trained well since Killarney. We’re stepping back in trip a furlong, but I don’t think it will be a problem for him.

“It’s a good step up in class, but everything in the race is probably in the same boat and we’ll find out how good he is.

“I think if I had a colt who was able to compete in the likes of the National Stakes or Dewhurst, it would be him. He obviously won impressively first time out so I was eager to keep him on this path and treat him as a good horse until he proves me wrong.

“Everything has gone to plan and we don’t know where his limits are yet, so it will be good to at least test him at this level.”

It is a similar story in the Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes, where the Ballydoyle trainer saddles commanding Silver Flash Stakes winner Composing, with Donnacha fielding stiff opposition in the form of Balantina.

A course winner on her second start, she was third to Venetian Sun in a high-quality renewal of the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot before being denied by the barest of margins in the Prix Six Perfections most recently.

“She’s been a very solid filly and probably a bit unlucky not to have a few more wins,” continued O’Brien.

“She was slowly away at Ascot in the Albany and finished strongly, then in Deauville the last day she was just nabbed and it was only the nod that went against her when she looked the winner everywhere but on the line.

“She’s in good form and trained well since then. We’re backing her up quicker than ideal since her trip to France, but she’s in very good form and I think the track and trip and everything about the race will suit her, so we’re happy to let her take her chance.”

Ger Lyons’ unbeaten Suzie Songs adds plenty of spice to a race that also includes Willie McCreery’s Skydance and Gavin Cromwell’s Brownstown, who were second and fourth respectively behind likely favourite Composing at Leopardstown.

The line-up is completed by Karl Burke’s Evolutionist, who won a deep Newmarket maiden earlier this month and steps up significantly in grade.

Burke said: “She’s in good form and we’re very happy with her.

“The drop back to seven (furlongs) is not what we originally planned to do with her, but with the race breaking up a little bit we thought we’d let her take her chance.”

Rosallion ticking all the boxes ahead of City of York challenge

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Richard Hannon is unconcerned about running Rosallion over seven furlongs for the first time in almost two years in Saturday’s Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

The four-year-old has had to make do with minor honours in each of his three starts this season, with a comeback third in the Lockinge at Newbury followed by narrow defeats in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Having missed a planned trip to France for last weekend’s Prix Jacques le Marois due to a bruised foot, Rosallion has been rerouted to the Knavesmire for what will be his first start over seven furlongs since rounding off his juvenile campaign with victory in the 2023 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Hannon said: “I’m very happy with him, it’s a shame he couldn’t go to France, but he was sound as a bell Sunday morning and conveniently this race comes along at the right time.

“It’s back to seven furlongs, but two of his best performances have been at this distance, in the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

“He’s drawn out wide, but he’ll be clear of trouble there, hopefully, and he will have a great chance. On ratings he’s the best horse in the race and hopefully he will win.”

A Classic and Royal Ascot winner at three to accompany the top honours achieved in France as a juvenile, the timely upgrading of the City of York to Group One status gives Rosallion the chance to become a winner at the highest level aged two, three and four.

Hannon added: “I don’t think there is anybody who I’ve seen while racing who doesn’t think he deserves another Group One win and he’s been a model of consistency all year. Hopefully he gets his reward for it.

“He’s going to be a stallion and it will make a big difference if he can win a Group One at four. He’s already won three Group Ones and is a gentleman of a horse and fingers crossed he can win on Saturday.”

The Ralph Beckett-trained Qirat only ran in the Sussex Stakes as a pacemaker for red-hot favourite Field Of Gold, but clung on by a neck from Rosallion to cause a 150-1 upset.

He gets the chance to prove that success was no fluke, having been supplemented earlier this week.

Barry Mahon, racing manager for owner-breeders Juddmonte, said: “Seven furlongs, a mile, it all comes alike to him and this race looks a good fit, so we’re looking forward to seeing him run.

“It’s going to be good, fast summer ground which he handles well.

“Obviously the Clipper Handicap was out after Goodwood and with this being the first year of it being a Group One, it’s nice to be able to compete in it.”

Never So Brave has has won two of his three starts since joining Andrew Balding from the retiring Sir Michael Stoute, following up an emphatic Royal Ascot success in the Buckingham Palace Stakes with a Group Two win at the Berkshire track in last month’s Summer Mile.

On dropping back in trip, Balding said: “He looked very good at Ascot over seven furlongs in the Buckingham Palace – he was carrying top-weight and put in a really good performance there.

“I think it comes alike to him. Winning a Group Two at a mile suggests he does stay that as well. As long as we’re in the same form as we were for the last two starts he deserves a crack at this race.”

Maranoa Charlie may be trained in France by Christopher Head but he carries the colours of locally-based owners the Bond family, who snapped him up prior to his close-up second to Woodshauna in the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville.

The Bond Thoroughbred team is led by Charlie Bond, who said: “It’s fantastic to be running in a Group One at York, it’s obviously our local track. It looks like we’ve got a decent draw (stall four) and Christopher is very happy with him, which is the main thing.

“He had good form in France before we bought him, winning three Group Threes, and he ran a fantastic race for us last time.

“We’ll take them all on over this trip, we’re not concerned about the ground and neither is Christopher.”

Other contenders include the William Haggas-trained Lake Forest and Hugo Palmer’s Seagulls Eleven, who gave his owners – which include several Brighton & Hove Albion footballers – a huge thrill when landing the Group Three Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood three weeks ago.

Palmer said: “He’s got some very enthusiastic owners and they’re playing with house money – he won more than the supplementary fee at Goodwood. We’re not protecting a stallion career with him so we thought why not have a go.

“When we decided to do it we probably weren’t banking on Rosallion being there, but even still, take him out and I think we’re right there with them in the run.”

Hipop De Loire one of three Ebor chances for Willie Mullins

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Hipop De Loire, Ethical Diamond and Charlus give the all-conquering Willie Mullins a formidable hand in his bid for a third victory in the Sky Bet Ebor at York on Saturday.

The Closutton maestro saddled the mare Sesenta to score in 2009, while high-class dual-purpose performer Absurde also landed Britain’s richest handicap two years ago.

Hipop De Loire (Colin Keane) heads the market, having suffered trouble in running on his way to finishing fifth 12 months ago. He warmed up for his second attempt with a dominant victory over hurdles at Galway.

Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: “Hipop looked very unlucky last year and we’ve planned to get him back here in one piece and in good form.

“He had a good confidence booster in Galway, obviously he’s got plenty of weight (9st 10lb), but it looks like he has everything – he just needs to get the rub of the green he didn’t get last year.”

Ethical Diamond (William Buick) won the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, but does have to contend with an 8lb rise for that emphatic victory, while Charlus (Jamie Spencer) disappointed as a leading fancy for the Copper Horse Stakes at the Royal meeting and was well-held in third in a Galway conditions event.

Ethical Diamond winning the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot
Ethical Diamond winning the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

Mullins added: “Ethical Diamond is stepping up a little bit in trip, but the whole thing with him is just getting him to settle.

“He’s drawn wide (stall 21) and William will probably have to get him settled and ride a race after that, I’d imagine.

“Charlus had a bad draw in Ascot and ran too keen. We might change tactics with him and we definitely haven’t seen the best of him, but it is going to be a big ask.”

There are plenty of other major contenders from Ireland including Aidan O’Brien’s pair of London City and Queenstown, Joseph O’Brien’s Mr Percy and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Ascending, who has won his last three Flat starts including the Ascot Stakes on his most recent appearance.

French Master after winning the Copper Horse Stakes
French Master after winning the Copper Horse Stakes (John Walton/PA)

The home team is headed by John and Thady Gosden’s French Master, winner of the Copper Horse for the Wathnan Racing team before coming up short in the Goodwood Cup.

Connections are hoping the application of a visor might help raise his game on his return to handicap company, with Wathnan’s racing manager Richard Brown saying: “He’s got a wide draw (stall 22), which I think in a funny way might actually suit him.

“James (Doyle) is unfortunately off, but Rab (Robert Havlin) knows him well and I’m sure he will be able to take his time from that draw back down into a handicap after running in the Group One at Goodwood.

“It was a very big performance when he won at Royal Ascot and big enough that John and Thady were happy to jump him straight up to Group One company. It’s slightly calmer waters, but it’s obviously a hugely competitive race and we’ll need a lot of luck.

“He’s a classy horse though, and we’re still hoping at some stage he will turn into a stakes performer.”

At bigger odds Brian Ellison is hoping for a positive showing from his stable star Onesmoothoperator, who was fourth behind Al Qareem in the Silver Cup at York last month.

Ellison said: “He worked on Tuesday and it was probably as good a piece of work he has done in a while, so hopefully he is peaking just right.

“This has always been the plan after going to Dubai, to give him a couple of runs and come here and he seems to be in great fettle.

“It’s always a hard race, but we’re hopeful.”

James Doyle misses York mounts due to illness

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James Doyle is facing a short spell on the sidelines after being diagnosed with a viral infection.

Wathnan Racing’s retained jockey did not ride at York on Thursday after feeling unwell and will now miss the final two days of the Ebor Festival, with his return to action expected next week.

Doyle said: “I felt unwell during racing on Wednesday, underwent tests on Thursday and have been diagnosed with a viral infection. I have been prescribed antibiotics and have been advised to rest for a few days.

“It’s hugely disappointing to be missing important rides, but I wish the team well and look forward to being back in action shortly.”

Doyle’s rides over the next two days included Night Raider in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes, with Danny Tudhope now taking the reins, while Robert Havlin will step in to partner French Master in the Sky Bet Ebor on Saturday.

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