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The horses are coming for the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival

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RAINBOW PEAK TO REAPPEAR IN SKY BET STRENSALL STAKES

TRAINER Michael Jarvis is looking forward to running his Royal Ascot scorer Rainbow Peak in Friday’s Group 3 Sky Bet Strensall Stakes at York.

The son of Hernando made it four wins from five starts when landing the Listed Wolferton Handicap on his last start and is now set to step up to Group company for the first time.

A small setback prevented Rainbow Peak taking up his engagement in the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes last month but Jarvis believes his charge has bounced back satisfactorily and is hoping for a bold show.

It will be Rainbow Peak’s second start on the Knavesmire after he came a fast-finishing second in a 1m handicap in May when the distance, as much as anything, found him out.

Jarvis said: “He has recovered well from the minor setback he had after Ascot. His recent work has been very satisfactory and the track should suit as he ran well at York over an inadequate trip of a mile before.

“I don’t think dropping back a furlong to nine furlongs should be a problem as it looks like there will be plenty of runners, so there should be plenty of pace on.”

Jarvis is also hoping to be represented by Opinion Poll in the Group 2 Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup on Wednesday.
Sheikh Ahmed’s son of Halling is a dual Listed winner this season but will only take his chance if the ground remains on the soft side, according to his trainer.

He said: “Opinion Poll is in very good order. We have always felt that he is much more effective with cut in the ground so we shall be monitoring the weather.

“The trip and track should suit and the softer the ground the more obvious his chance would be.”

Jarvis has also Yaa Wayl entered in the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes, staged over 7f on Friday.

He said: “Yaa Wayl will run in the City Of York. We have been very happy with his performances this year.

“He has improved 20lb from the start of the season and his recent form suggests that he is up to performing well in Listed class.”

Starspangledbanner on target for Coolmore Nunthorpe - 11/08/10

TRAINER Aidan O’Brien has confirmed that Starspangledbanner is on target for the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, the Group 1 feature race at York on the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival, Friday August, 20.
The son of Choisir will tackle 5f for the first time this season having taken both the Golden Jubilee Stakes and the Darley July Cup over 6f.

O'Brien is confident that the drop back in trip will not pose a problem for his charge and is hopeful of another big run.
He said: “It is the plan to run Starspangledbanner in the Coolmore Nunthorpe. He seems in very good form and has had five weeks between runs which is good as he had a season in Australia before coming to us.

“He has been very impressive and done everything right. His work at home has always been very fast and he has clocked some very quick times so I don’t think the drop to five (furlongs) should trouble him.”

In the same race, trainer Sir Michael Stoute has high hopes for Kingsgate Native, winner of this race when a two-year-old with John Best in 2007.

The son of Mujadil landed the Temple Stakes at Haydock on his seasonal bow and has since run creditably in the Darley July Cup.

Stoute added: “Kingsgate Native seems in good shape and is working well. He likes York so will probably take his chance.”
Trainer Jeremy Noseda also had news of his star sprinter Fleeting Spirit, who finished fifth to Starspangledbanner in the Darley July Cup.

The daughter of Invincible Spirit, now five, is a Group 1 winner over 6f, but smashed the 5f record at Haydock when winning the 2008 renewal of the Temple Stakes .

Noseda said: “She is training well but we shall make a decision whether to run or not nearer the time.
"She showed at Newmarket that she doesn’t really let herself down on very quick ground any more so we wouldn’t run if the ground is very fast.

“If the ground is good or easier I would love to see her take her chance as I feel she is ready to run a big race.”