Irish Contenders on Day Four of the Ebor Festival

The final afternoon of York's big meeting is of course headlined by the Ebor Handicap itself, still one of the most coveted handicaps of the entire season.

Four of the last six Ebor winners were trained in Ireland and there is a strong cast bound for York again as we look at the Irish challengers running on the concluding afternoon on the Knavesmire, including the 10 Ebor hopefuls.

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Exactly - City Of York Stakes (15:00)

This is Britain's newest Group 1 race and Aidan O'Brien has entered his Frankel filly Exactly in his quest to win the race for the first time. She shows a record of two wins in 11 career starts including a 7f Leopardstown Group 3 last season on soft ground and has run well in Group 1 company this season without threatening to win.

Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (15:35)

Hipop De Loire (Willie Mullins)

Willie Mullins added his second Ebor when Absurde won in 2023 and the Closutton chief has a trio of contenders now. Colin Keane rides Hipop De Loire a year on from finishing fifth off a 3lb lower rating.

Queenstown (Aidan O'Brien)

Mediterranean gave Aidan O'Brien his only Ebor win in 2001. The Ballydoyle maestro has two contenders now, including Galileo gelding Queenstown He shaped with real promise early last season behind Kyprios but disappointed in this contest after inheriting the lead a long way out. The signs since are mixed but he's rated 3lb lower now.

Ethical Diamond (Willie Mullins)

William Buick has some big-race success for team Mullins and takes over from Ryan Moore on Royal Ascot winner Ethical Diamond who remains lightly raced on the Flat but must cope with an 8lb higher mark now.

London City (Aidan O'Brien)

Justify colt London City won over 1m4f at York last season off a rating of 93 on handicap bow/fourth start. He's only run three times since and hasn't been progressive, but he cannot be written off given his powerful connections.

Siege Of Troy (Johnny Murtagh)

Johnny Murtagh never managed to ride the Ebor winner but he has trained two — Mutual Regard in 2014 and Sonnyboyliston in 2021. Siege Of Troy represents him this time. She was fourth behind Ethical Diamond at Royal Ascot and has since gone close in a 1m4f Leopardstown Group 3. The Siyouni filly is nicely treated on paper and rising star Patrick McGettigan takes off 7lb in the saddle.

Ascending (Henry De Bromhead)

Magical Zoe bagged this prize for Henry De Bromhead a year ago and the Knockeen supremo would be the first trainer in the modern era to win back-to-back renewals, if Ascending proves good enough. The ex-Clive Cox inmate has won three on the trot over a variety of trips and is only 3lb higher after his Royal Ascot win in June over 2m4f. Drops back in trip significantly but will stay on if they get racing a long way out.

Charlus (Willie Mullins)

Lightly raced French import Charlus won over hurdles on stable bow for Closutton in January but has disappointed in three runs since on the Flat and over jumps. Jamie Spencer takes over in the saddle here.

Fleetfoot (Jim Bolger)

Winner of two of his last three starts, including a big pot at the Curragh in June and a Gowran Park handicap off 94, Fleetfoot is still on a decent mark now sporting first-time cheekpieces and could be overpriced.

Mr Percy (Joseph O'Brien)

Mr Percy earned his place in this field with a gutsy success at the Curragh over this trip in early June. The Sir Percy gelding is 10lb higher here and needs to improve but Joseph O'Brien has secured Tom Marquand to ride and top owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede will be hopeful of a big run.

Aeronautic (Joseph O'Brien)

Another possible runner for Joseph O'Brien but Aeronautic is the second reserve. He ran a cracker in the Summer Handicap at Glorious Goodwood over this trip off this rating.