Ebor runners and riders: Your Pinstickers’ guide to the big race at York live on ITV this Saturday – The Sun

BIG Ben can strike in the Ebor.

BEN VRACKIE looks ideal for this trip and can continue the fantastic form of Frankie Dettori and John Gosden.

He looked a proper stayer in the making when going down in a photo for the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot. The four-year-old came with a real rattle there but the line came a couple of strides too quickly over the 1m4f trip.

That was enough to see him send off a hot favourite for the Bet365 Trophy at Newmarket but it looked as though that came too soon.

He’s had a nice break since then and has copped a good draw for a bold bid at glory.

Mark Johnston’s King’s Advice was ahead of him at HQ and followed up with a gutsy win at Glorious Goodwood last time.

He has a penalty for that, which should make it tougher, but he has improved with every run and could pull out more.

Raymond Tusk looks to have a massive each-way chance. He is dropping down from the Ascot Gold Cup where he more than held his own. He has a Group 2 win to his name and shapes as though this distance will be ideal.

Baghdad is another Johnston runner who warrants lots of respect after some good wins over shorter. This longer distance should be right up his street. Red Verdon is one to have a close look at after winning the Silver Cup over course and distance latest.

WITHHOLD 3

HAVE and Hold. Came back from long break to win hot Newbury handicap over 2m and a fair 6lb higher today. Won the Cesarewitch in 2017 so likes a big field and looks a major player despite low draw although further may be ideal.

WELLS FARHH GO 3

GO for it. Good Listed win over 1m4f at Newmarket before a modest effort in the Goodwood Cup last time. Dropping in class here and shapes as though distance will be perfect from handy draw.

RED VERDON 4

RED ain’t dead. Won the Group 3 Silver Cup over course and distance and has plenty of staying power. Comes from a decent draw and has every chance of running into the places at decent odds.

KING’S ADVICE 4

KING could reign. Mark Johnston’s stayer is as tough as they come and has shown improvement in pretty much every race this season. His last two victories have been the most impressive as he dug deep to score at Newmarket and Goodwood. He stays well and will be hard to crack from good draw.

Wells Farhh Go has won at York beforeCredit: PA:Press Association

WEEKENDER 3

WEEK needs to be stronger. Well held by Red Verdon here last time after being too close to the pace early on. He sees out this distance well and comes from top trainer John Gosden but needs more to figure.

RAYMOND TUSK 4

TUSK has teeth. Outran his odds in the Ascot Gold Cup last time after running well in the Group 3 Aston Park at Newmarket and the Sagaro. He drops into handicap company for the first time from a good draw and can have a big say.

RAHEEN HOUSE 3

HOUSE must build. Has run well twice here since joining William Haggas and has few miles on the clock for a five-year-old. Needs to improve on his Silver Cup effort behind Red Verdon but he was right there and has more to offer.

PRINCE OF ARRAN 2

PRINCE charming. Was third in the Melbourne Cup and Northumberland Plate last year so has good credentials for the Ebor and stays well. Looked rusty after four months off at Goodwood last time but should be better for that run.

Prince Of Arran has a chance for Charlie FellowesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

MAX DYNAMITE 3

MAX power. Irish trainers have a good record in this and Willie Mullins doesn’t tilt at windmills so must fancy his chances. Won the Lonsdale Cup here all of four years ago and was third in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot over 2m6f before a Killarney win latest. Can’t be ruled out.

MEKONG 2

KONG could go wrong. Good second in a Sandown Listed race and stays well. Comes from a top team but has done most of his racing in a small field and can miss the break, which wouldn’t be a good idea today.

TRUE SELF 2

TRUE’S false. Another Willie Mullins raider, he was poor at Leopardstown last time but earlier landed four in a row with some give in the ground. May find this surface a little quick and has a trick low draw.

RED GALILEO 4

RED flagged. Fair run in the Northumberland Plate last time when hampered after a big-field win at Newmarket over this trip. Likes the ground and stays well and has excellent claimer Cieren Fallon on board.

Baghdad just loves winningCredit: PA:Press Association

BAGHDAD 4

DAD’S not bad. Won the red-hot Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot and followed up with fair runs in Group contests since. Shapes as though this trip will suit and Mark Johnston runners always respected here.

KELLY’S DINO 3

DINO must soar. Has a penalty for winning well in a small field at Newmarket last time and this looks a good bit tougher. Has handy draw but needs further improvement.

BEN VRACKIE 5

BIG Ben. Finished a good second to Baghdad at Royal Ascot before coming back too soon for Newmarket last time. He’s a big horse and needs a break between his races. Shapes as though this distance will be ideal and has a good draw. Can land another huge win for Gosden and Dettori.

DESERT SKYLINE 3

DON’T Desert him. Has been knocking on the door and ran well at Goodwood last time after a good third at Newmarket. Sees out this distance well and change of headgear could help here.

MUSTAJEER 3

JEER we go. Has a low draw to overcome but has been holding his own at Group level including when three lengths off the pace at The Curragh last tie. He saw out this trip nicely there and looks on a fair weight.

BARSANTI 2

BAR must be raised. Listed-class horse who has shown all his best form over shorter and has been kept to 1m4f this season. Has first-time blinkers on today and has to clock a personal best.

DRAMATIC QUEEN 2

KILLER Queen. Won a Group 3 here at the Dante meeting in May and topped that with a close second in the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock last month. Didn’t take to Goodwood last time and should be happier here but needs more.

Making Miracles won the Chester CupCredit: PA:Press Association

MAKING MIRACLES 1

MIRACLES needed. Took the Chester Cup in the mud back in May but has rather lost his way since. Dangerous to rule out a Johnston horse but he would be surprise winner unless there’s a surprise downpour.

CLEONTE 2

CARRY on Cleo. Landed the mammoth Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot and 2m looked on the sharp side when he was third at Sandown latest. Will be doing his best work at the finish.

THE GRAND VISIR 2

GRAND won’t stand. Dour stayer who found 2m too short when midfield at Newbury latest. Best effort came when winning over further at Royal Ascot and should find this too sharp.

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