THE STARS MAKE PLANS FOR YORK
The first, second and third from Sandown's dramatic Coral-Eclipse Stakes are set to lock horns once again at York in the feature race of the Ebor Festival next month after Aidan O'Brien's announcement that George Washington is poised to take on Notnowcato and Authorized for a second time. This year’s Derby winner, Authorized, came to the fore when winning the totesport Dante Stakes here in May and Notnowcato is hoping to defend the title he won so bravely in 2006. The Godolphin trained winner of the Sky bet York Stakes, Stage Gift, is another keen to take the record prize money on offer and may well return. In what could be a momentous renewal, Boscobel is set to represent Mark Johnston and the home county.
The winner of four races at York, Sergeant Cecil, is another tipped to defend his crown this time in the leading contest for stayers at the Festival, the Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup.
Turning to the top drawer handicap, the connections of Wing Collar successful at York in the skybet.com Silver Cup have indicated that a return for the totesport Ebor on Wednesday 22nd remains their goal. The horse trained at Malton by Tim Easterby hopes to be the first Yorkshire trained winner in a decade since Far Ahead brought the house down surging to success in 1997. A likely opponent is Group Captain who caught the eye in a recent Ascot victory. Adding to the International flavour could be El Tango, a German trained winner at Listed level.
The performances on the track and the gallops in the coming days will see final plans made as the stars head for the Knavesmire.
