York's marquee meeting of the season gets up and running on Wednesday afternoon as the Knavesmire plays host to day one of the Ebor Festival.
York's seven-race offering runs from 13:50-17:20, with the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes the centrepiece as Derby winner City Of Troy headlines.
It's a cracking card at York and Enda McElhinney has picked out some selections in the key races on day one.
15:35 - Juddmonte International Stakes
CITY OF TROY must overcome a record-breaking field to take his next step towards greatness in the Juddmonte International as the brilliant Derby winner faces 12 rivals at York.
Never before have more than 12 runners contested this Group 1 event, with fields of just four as recently as 12 months ago.
The now 124-rated Ballydoyle colt was a major disappointment in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on his comeback, languishing in ninth, but he roared back to win the Derby at Epsom in June and followed up with a workmanlike Eclipse success at Sandown last month.
The Justify colt is set to meet the fastest surface of his career here, with conditions forecast to be 'good to firm', but he looks the one to beat under Ryan Moore for Aidan O'Brien – who bids for a record-breaking seventh career win in this race.
Group 1-winning filly Bluestocking, the Derby second Ambiente Friendly and raiders from France and Japan such as Calandagan and Durezza make this a fascinating contest on paper.
The Francis Henri Graffard-trained Calandagan was an impressive Group 2 winner at Royal Ascot in June and could be a key danger now if coping with this lesser stamina test, but it could once more be Ambiente Friendly for James Fanshawe that gives City Of Troy most to fear.
Selection: City Of Troy
Next Best: Ambiente Friendly
13:50 - Symphony Group Handicap
Shagraan won well over 5f at Glorious Goodwood three weeks ago and has claims again for Mick Appleby and Tom Marquand but he's 5lb higher in deeper company now and will have to find his share of good fortune to go in again.
We Never Stop was no better than seventh that afternoon at the Sussex venue but Kevin Ryan's colt is a York regular and might find this optimal tackling a half-furlong less than he routinely has in the past on the Knavesmire. He shouldn't be dismissed at fancy prices.
The hat-trick-seeking Pilgrim has had this target in mind for a while, and Holkham Bay also arrives seeking to complete a treble; they are much-respected for David Barron and William Knight, respectively.
A chance is taken on KYLIAN for Archie Watson and Hollie Doyle. He looked to be a sprinter going places when he won the Dragon Stakes at Sandown last summer but he is 0-7 since, four of those runs this season since moving from Karl Burke to this team.
He wasn't disgraced behind leading Nunthorpe contender Big Evs in Listed company here on his stable bow in May and was recently second at Ascot (5f, good) on Shergar Cup Day off this mark. He was left with plenty to do in that contest and now finds himself much better off on these terms with re-opposing winner Holkham Bay. There might be a big pot waiting for him soon.
Selection: Kylian
Next Best: We Never Stop
Bet On The Ebor Festival
14:25 - Tattersalls Acomb Stakes
The likes of Wimbledon Hawkeye (James Owen), Rajeko (Michael Bell) and The Waco Kid (Hugo Palmer) have all shown a good level of form already and bring Group-race experience to the table for this Acomb Stakes but it is still hard not to distil this race down to a Godolphin vs. Ballydoyle gunfight.
RULING COURT for Charlie Appleby and The Lion In Winter for Aidan O'Brien are a pair of quality colts.
The latter won a Curragh maiden (7f, good) last month in good style, with a next-time-out winner behind in third, and the son of Sea The Stars should find a pattern race to win before the season ends.
All the noises were positive ahead of Ruling Court's debut at Sandown (7f, good) last month, and William Buick's partner was ultra-impressive in cruising away to win by more than five lengths, form advertised by the second and third since. He's already got a Dewhurst entry and could be the latest son of Justify to end the season as champion juvenile after City Of Troy last term.
Selection: Ruling Court
Next Best: The Lion In Winter
15:00 - Great Voltigeur Stakes
Aidan O'Brien is responsible for half of the six-runner field in the Great Voltigeur Stakes, and that should ensure the race is run to suit LOS ANGELES. The Camelot colt suffered the only reverse of his career when third in the Epsom Derby in June but has since responded by winning the Irish version at the Curragh when responding well to pressure to come and claim Ambiente Friendly.
His big-race entries include the St Leger and the Long Distance Cup later in the season over further, so he won't want this getting tactical, with stablemate Euphoric likely to set the fractions to avoid that scenario.
Third Ballydoyle inmate, Illinois, cannot be crossed off in any haste but King's Gambit has twice finished second in Group races at Ascot and here over shorter lately and could have more to give upped in trip for the Gosden team.
Selection: Los Angeles
Next Best: King's Gambit
16:10 - Stayers Handicap
The longest race on day one, an extended two-mile journey awaits the contenders in this Stayers Handicap with more than £51k on offer to the winner.
Last year's winner, Forza Orta, returns with sound claims for Kevin Ryan and Hollie Doyle, having eased to a mark 2lb lower than 12 months ago.
He warmed up for this with a good showing at Hamilton last summer and Iain Jardine's Bringbackmemories arrives off the back of a win at the Scottish layout. He's shortlisted alongside contenders like Spirit Mixer, Tritonic and Great Bedwyn.
Top-weight Samui is low-mileage on the Flat and ran out a 17-length winner at Killarney (2m1f, good to firm) last month, though Gordon Elliott's charge is rated 13lb higher now. Jamie Spencer rides, and they are key players.
He's been around the houses in his career but EVALUATION is thriving for Lucinda Russell and found only one rival too good in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle in late June. He is rated 4lb higher now but the four-time turf winner boasts a C&D success on his only previous visit here and makes solid each-way appeal under in-form pilot Oisin Orr.
Selection: Evaluation
Next Best: Spirit Mixer
