Clondaw on the bench for the Ebor The participation of Clondaw Warrior in the Betfred Ebor at York on Saturday is in slight doubt after he was only handed a spot as first reserve. Although one of the ante-post favourites for the one-mile-six-furlong contest, the Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old, a winner at both Royal Ascot and the Galway Festival, will have to rely upon one of those declared in the final field of 20 to come out to ensure he gets run in the race. The Closutton handler will still be represented in the Ebor by dual-code performer Wicklow Brave. Aidan O'Brien, chasing a first winner in the race since the victory of Mediterranean in 2001, saddles the progressive Fields Of Athenry, who is due to be ridden by the trainer's son Donnacha. Facile Galway Hurdle winner Quick Jack will also line up for compatriot Tony Martin, whose Elishpour is second reserve. Leading the home contingent are the likes of Ajman Bridge, Astronereus and the Hughie Morrison-trained trio of Arab Dawn, Fun Mac and Nearly Caught. Roger Charlton has declared top-weight Quest For More, but he is likely to run in the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at the track 24 hours earlier. Ante-post favourite Fields Of Athenry was dealt no luck with the draw, having been handed stall 22 on the wide outside. However should he get a run, Clondaw Warrior was handed the inside draw of stall one. His stablemate Wickow Brave also fared nicely in stall four. Of the other leading fancies, Quick Jack will start from stall 11, Ajman Bridge from gate 13, Arab Dawn in 17 and Astronereus in 18.
