Last chance for the Irish at York this afternoon Eight Irish trained horses will bid to break the duck for the Irish at this year's York Ebor meeting, on the final day of the four day Festival this afternoon. Two Irish raiders line up for the opener, the Debenhams City Of York, Listed Stakes with the Tracey Collins trained Across the Rhine topping the weights with 9-8. Having won the Group 3 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh last time out, the 5yo son of Cuvee will be well fancied to score again here with Pat Shanahan in the saddle. The other Irish challenger, Lechevalier Choisi for Curragh trainer James McCabe will bid to cause an upset with Eddie Ahern in the saddle. This son of Choisir won his maiden convincingly at Navan in May but failed to follow up on that win on his four efforts since. He did however finish just over five lengths behind Inxile in a Listed race at Cork while he ran a cracker last time out at Fairyhouse in the Listed Belgrave Stakes, finishing just over a length behind Rose Bonheur The trip of seven furlongs today is a cause for slight concern but he looks a solid each-way bet here at a big price. Aidan O'Brien has two runners in the third race on the card the Betfred Melrose Handicap over a mile and six with Admiral Of The Red (Colm O'Donoghue) and Apache (Joseph O'Brien) representing the Ballydoyle maestro. Both of these have plenty of weight to carry and will be up against it, in what looks a very competitive contest. Elyaadi is the sole Irish runner in the Group 2 Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup over two miles, with the John Queally trained mare not without her chance. Kieran Fallon takes the ride on the daughter of Singspiel who finished second on her last two starts at Royal Ascot and Dundalk respectively. This is undoubtedly a step up in class for her with last year's winner Opinion Poll back to defend his crown. However a bold showing can be expected from the 7yo Irish raider. The feature race on the card the Betfred Ebor, Heritage Handicap sees a field of twenty going to post with two Irish trained runners, Mount Athos and Salute Him, among the runners. Mount Athos for David Wachman and Wayne Lordan is the better fancied of the two and is sure to be well supported in the betting. His trainer David Wachman said yesterday "He was in the Lonsdale as well, but we decided to run in the Ebor. He seems in good form and Id be hopeful he'll run very well. "I was happy with his run in Leopardstown the other day and he likes good ground, so I wouldn't want to see much more rain for him." The Tony Martin trained, George Baker ridden Salute Him is the other Irish trained runner in the field. This fellow is well used to running in big flat handicaps and another good showing can be expected from him. Oor Jock is the final Irish challenger of the day in the last race on the card a five furlong, 3yo Handicap. Tracey Collins trains this fellow with Danny Benson in the saddle and he will have to step up from his last two efforts if he is to have any chance here. Donal Murphy
