Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle will dominate the opening day of York’s Ebor Festival on Wednesday, headlining a highly anticipated showdown between Ombudsman and Constitution River. The exceptionally adaptable Ombudsman is expected to be a formidable opponent in the £1.5 million Juddmonte International Stakes (3.35). This race is the marquee event of day one at York and promises a thrilling contest. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the five‑year‑old has already added a Group 1 victory in the Dubai Turf at Meydan and a win in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot to an already impressive résumé, having captured this race in spectacular fashion a year ago.
Across the paddock, Aidan O’Brien’s Constitution River is a special talent, having proven his class in the French Derby and the Coral‑Eclipse. The colt now has the chance to mature further and test his mettle against the older, seasoned Ombudsman in what should be an epic duel. Constitution River is two years younger and enjoys a seven‑pound weight allowance, meaning he has not yet reached his full physical peak. Bred from the sire Wootton Bassett, he is versatile enough to challenge the Godolphin superstar, and the race is likely to unfold as a tactical battle with both sides seeking the advantage.
Juddmonte’s representative, Item, has a strong affinity for York, having secured Group 2 victories in the Dante and the York Stakes. Although his official rating sits just two pounds below Constitution River, he will need to dig deep to overturn the odds and claim the top spot. In the St Leger trial, Maltese Cross will look to cement his credentials for the 250th running of the classic with a decisive performance in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (3.00) at York. This race traditionally serves as a key preparatory step for the final Classic held the following month.
My husband Tom Marquand is eager to avenge his Derby defeat by targeting the 1m4f Group 2 contest after a hard‑won Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris victory last month. He was unlucky on the day, overcoming numerous in‑race difficulties, and should relish the solid ground at The Knavesmire before stepping up in distance at Doncaster. Tom’s colt could not repeat his Epsom heroics in the Irish Derby, where stablemate Pierre Bonnard finished a neck behind.
Nonetheless, I would not be surprised to see the handsome colt emerge as the principal Ballydoyle threat to Maltese Cross. Haffner, the colt that everyone must beat in the Group 3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (2.25) at York, has struggled to replicate his Vintage Stakes form at Goodwood. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the horse previously captured a maiden at Newmarket and now stands behind the unbeaten Dr Rascal on the Downs, with less pressure than his rivals over the seven‑furlong distance.
Should Haffner underperform, Ed Walker’s promising Alfred Wallace could seize the opportunity. The son of the top‑class mare Snow Lantern earned a well‑deserved Listed win at Ascot and may find the necessary improvement to compete strongly at this higher level. York’s big sprint handicaps are notoriously difficult to predict, but I can make a compelling case for Toca Madera in the opening Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap (1.50).
David O’Meara’s gelding was close to winning the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood when given a clear run and now has a chance to recover some ground with stable jockey Danny Tudhope aboard again. I am pleased to see Toca Madera drawn low in stall four, which I consider the most advantageous position on York’s straight track—a factor that suits the well‑supported The Man. Richard Spencer’s runner was second in this race last year but lagged well behind Toca Madera at Goodwood last month.
A potentially better value at longer odds could be Lemos de Souza’s Naana’s Sparkle, who finished ahead of both Toca Madera and The Man in that Goodwood sprint. Starting from a middle draw, the gelding could receive a favorable tow and deliver a solid performance at rewarding odds.
I have nominated Small Fry as my ‘Hot Shot’ after his unlucky run at the Goodwood Festival, and I will not overlook him in the Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (4.10) at York. Joseph O’Brien’s gelding was shuffled back at a crucial stage of the valuable Summer Handicap but still managed to finish a close second over 1m6f, and he may gain a weight advantage despite a four‑pound increase. The step up to two miles should suit Joseph’s son of Harzand, who stays well and will now benefit from the expertise of Ireland’s champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle. Finally, Andrew Balding’s Shrimp Shady is emerging as a force in top staying handicaps and should not be dismissed.
He placed second in the Shergar Cup after securing a big win at Newbury, defeating the popular Team Player, and will relish the challenge that York’s Knavesmire presents.