LISTON LOOKS FOR KNOCK OUT BLOW IN EBOR

15:35 York This looks about as brutal a handicap as any you will ever see on the flat, with angles aplenty and the usual sprinkling in of course winners, former winners and Irish challengers attempting to land one of the richest races of this type Europe has to offer. Attempting to coherently cover all bases looks as impossible as finding the winner although we shall endeavour to highlight the chances of a few, and sit back, in the hope of landing a cracking renewal of the Ebor.

Irish trained winners have fared well in recent times, landing last five of the last twelve renewals. Once more the allure of such a big pot has tempted many of the top Irish yards to come over and challenge and it is that challenge, we shall start with.

Mt Leinster is hard to put a strict number on although he has been very impressive since returning to the Flat, potentially high class over timber he represents Willie Mullins and the market has started to speak rather strongly in his favour. Discounting him would be foolish and though he hasn't received the vote, a terrific amount of respect is afforded.

Johnny Murtagh has had a terrific season so far, both domestically and with his UK raiders, he has two runners here although Sonnyboyliston looks to be his best chance judged on his fine sixth, over this trip in a Group Three last time. Prior to he picked up a Listed race in good style at Limerick and the handicapper has rather kindly dropped him one pound since last time, attempting to convey any degree of confidence is rather difficult although he is handed the vote.

Blue Cup scored in tremendous style at Epsom having promised to do so before, since then he has rather struggled in pattern company though this trip could eke out more and he is a very interesting outsider.

Hamish is extremely unexposed and presumably rather fragile, given he has been off for over four hundred days now. Fourth when last seen in a Group Two and unbeaten in two prior course visits, he represents team Haggas and there is every chance he is better than a handicapper. Ilaraab hails from the same yard and he had looked extremely progressive before finding Group company a bridge too far last time, the forecast rain really ought to play to his strengths though that last performance was rather disappointing. Both Pablo Escobarr and Roberto Escobarr add further strings to the Haggas bow and neither could be discounted.

Shanroe has snook in at the bottom of the weights and he looks interesting for his shrewd connections. Three from five on the flat and a likely strong stayer at this trip, he looks well drawn in stall nine and is seriously feared.

Fujaira Prince landed last seasons renewal and is hard to dismiss despite being six pounds higher. Never outside of the places in all eleven career starts to date, he will have to elevate his form higher still to retain the prize but he could well pull it off.

Tribal Craft looks fairly handicapped judged on her fine second behind Wonderful Tonight last time, she represents a yard firing on all cylinders and must come into the equation although her draw could have been kinder.

Dismissing any of the remaining runners would be rather foolish and though we have tried to highlight as many runners as possible, the vote is split between Sonnyboyliston and last year's hero, Fujaira Prince.

FUJAIRA PRINCE (E/W)

SONNYBOYLISTON (E/W)

written by Chris Connolly