York Ebor Update available to buy

Just a reminder that the York Ebor Festival Update is available to purchase from the Publications section of the site. Last year's Update featured 6 winners, including the Ebor victor Heartbreak City, who was advised at 20/1 (SP was 15/2). The price is £6 and it will be emailed to clients on Monday 22nd August.

I was working Haydock Park yesterday, where it was family fun day. The good weather certainly brought out the crowds with a very good attendance. The most interesting race on the card was the six furlongs novice event for two year olds. It was won by the Tim Easterby trained Staxton who produced an excellent performance to concede six pounds to his rivals. Runner-up at York last time, he went one better under Jimmy Sullivan. He could head back to the Knavesmire for the Gimcrack Stakes. It is only a matter of time before Humble Gratitude goes one better. Karl Burke's good looking colt appreciated the rain softened ground and threw down a serious challenge to the winner and the pair were nicely clear of ther rest. The Middleham trainer has assembled a smart team of juveniles and this son of Foxwedge could win a good prize before the end of the season. He will stay further but is quick enough for six furlongs.

It was good to see Karawaan get his head in front at Chelmsford on Tuesday evening. Sir Michael Stoute's three year old had been undone by slow ground at Lingfield last time. Given a break and dropping in trip, he proved far too good for his opponents in the ten furlongs maiden winning by four lengths. The underfoot conditions will dictate his programme but he remains a well handicapped horse and could yet progress to stakes races one day, although I suspect that is more likely next season.

I am also working on One Jump Ahead and have more interviews lined up next week. I spoke to Brian Ellison earlier this week and ran through his strong team of jumpers for the winter. Fresh from his trip to Galway, where he remarkably sent out the first three home in a competitive handicap, Brian has some exciting prospects to look forward to. I will pass on news of further interviews once I have done them but just a reminder that OJA will be published later than previous years due to my ill health. Hopefully it is behind me now and I can concentrate on future publications. Realistically, I am looking to finish OJA by mid to late September but I will be able to give a more definite date (s) in the next couple of weeks.