True Self tries again as Mullins eyes second Ebor victory

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Willie Mullins seeks a second win in the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap when he saddles True Self in the York feature.

The Closutton trainer struck in the 2009 renewal with the mare Sesenta, a 25-1 shot under then 5lb claimer Gary Carroll when she got the better of Aidan O’Brien’s hotpot Changingoftheguard.

Mullins’ representative this year was beaten only three lengths into sixth place 12 months ago, before going on a round-the-world tour – which included trips to Australia, where she won a Group Three, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.

Since returning to Ireland, True Self has finished a creditable fourth behind the top-class Magical in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and a slightly disappointing sixth in the Munster Oaks at Cork.

However, 10lb lower than 12 months ago, the seven-year-old is expected to put up a bold showing on her return to the Knavesmire, where she will be ridden by Jason Watson.

Mullins’ assistant David Casey said: “Hopefully she’ll run well. She ran well in the race last year when things didn’t really go her way during the race, and she seems in very good form at home.

“She ran a good race in the Group One behind Magical, and Cork probably came a bit quick after that.

“We’ve put a tongue-tie on her at home, and it seems to have improved her – she’s been working very well this week.

Mustajeer was an impressive Irish winner last year
Mustajeer was another Irish winner of the Ebor last year (Clint Hughes/PA)

“If she brings her A-game, she should run a big race.”

True Self is one of two Irish challengers, along with Joseph O’Brien’s Pondus.

The raiding party is bidding to win the race for a fourth time in the last seven years following the recent triumphs of Johnny Murtagh’s Mutual Regard (2014), Tony Martin’s Heartbreak City (2016) and the Ger Lyons-trained Mustajeer (2019).

Alan King fires a twin assault, with the well-fancied Trueshan joined by Royal Ascot-winning stable companion Scarlet Dragon.

Trueshan was last seen claiming a Listed prize at Haydock, while Scarlet Dragon finished seventh in the Old Newton Cup on Merseyside – having previously claimed top honours in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at the Royal meeting.

“Trueshan is in good order, and I think the step up in trip will suit him,” said King.

“He was good at Haydock a few weeks ago – we’ve been happy with him since, and I was pleased to see the rain come earlier in the week.

“It’s a very competitive race, obviously. But he’s progressive, and I hope he’ll run well.

“Scarlet Dragon was tremendous at Royal Ascot, and I thought he ran well at Haydock in ground that would have been much too deep for him.

“I see we’re drawn widest of all – but we’ll slot in behind anyway, so it’s probably not the end of the world for him.

“He is his own man, so it just depends what sort of mood he’s in. I think a mile and six is within his compass.”

Nicky Henderson views ground conditions as key to the chances of his high-class dual-purpose mare Verdana Blue.

Nicky Henderson's Verdana Blue prefers quick conditions
Nicky Henderson’s Verdana Blue prefers quick conditions (Jeff Holmes/PA)

The 2018 Christmas Hurdle heroine was mowed down late by King’s Coeur De Lion in the Ascot Stakes on her latest outing.

Henderson said: “I’m told the forecast is for dry and windy weather and sunshine, which would be great.

“She ran very well at Ascot. It was probably all that rain they got on the Monday night that caught her out, and maybe the last couple of furlongs as well.

“We’re coming back six furlongs in trip. But she loves two miles on fast ground over hurdles at Kempton, so a mile and six on the Flat should be perfect.

“If the forecast is right and the ground is good, I’d be hopeful.”

Other leading contenders include Roger Varian’s Fujaira Prince, Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Deja and the William Haggas-trained pair of Pablo Escobarr and Monica Sheriff.

Pablo Escobarr won the Group Three Glorious Stakes at Goodwood last month, while Monica Sheriff is unbeaten in her last five starts, but the pair have been drawn in stalls 20 and 21 respectively.

Haggas said: “They’re drawn 41 between them – how’s your luck? It’s a disaster, but there you go, there’s nothing I can do about the draw.

“They’re both very well.”

Smart all-weather performer Stargazer is a big outsider for Phil Kirby, having been sidelined since winning at Newcastle in April of last year.

“It’s a big ask for his first start back, but he seems well and we’ve got to start somewhere,” said Kirby.

“We had planned to go for the Northumberland Plate, but he had a small setback when we were getting him ready, and this was the next natural race for him.

“I’m sure he’ll improve for the run. We’ll make a start and see where we are.”

Ghaiyyath seals Group One hat-trick with dominant International display

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Ghaiyyath took his brilliant winning run to three Group Ones this season by repelling all challengers in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.

Charlie Appleby’s front-runner led throughout once again as he saw off a top-class five-strong field to win by three lengths as the 11-8 favourite, under William Buick.

Ghaiyyath predictably had to contend with the close attendance of outsider Rose Of Kildare in the early stages – and once that hazard was out of the way, he was harried into the final two furlongs by 2000 Guineas winner Kameko and multiple Group One heroine Magical.

But none ever closed within two lengths as Appleby’s five-year-old added this success to his Coronation Cup and Coral-Eclipse victories in the past two months.

Magical took second spot, with Lord North eventually staying on past Kameko into third.

William Buick gives Ghaiyyath a deserved pat
William Buick gives Ghaiyyath a deserved pat (David Davies/PA)

Appleby said: “I’m delighted with that. It was straightforward, a great performance and a great front-running ride by William.

“Most importantly, it’s important for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the team to have a horse like this on our hands.

“He’s not let us down this year and as I said right at the start of the year, he’s more the finished article now. I’m just delighted for the whole team.

“We were coming into today and his prep had been faultless. We knew he was the finished article.

“We had our plan – the Coronation, miss Ascot and go for the Eclipse before coming here. As we all know plans don’t always work out, but he’s been exceptional every start this year.

“I’ve said before that last year he took time to get over races as he put so much in, but right from the get-go we weren’t seeing those dips this year.

“It’s a great credit to the team at home and talking to His Highness, horses like him are what Godolphin is all about. To have him deliver on each occasion is fantastic for everybody.”

Appleby continued: “He didn’t go a scorching pace, just an honest one. William said turning into the straight that it was unusual as normally on him you can’t here the whips cracking, but he could hear them coming.

“So, he gave him a squeeze and he just took off again. Once he hits that second gear a furlong and a half out, he’s just relentless – he might not quicken after that but he’s an exceptional galloper.

“He doesn’t have to lead, we just let him come into the race as he sees fit.

“In the Arc (last year) it was soft ground, off the back of a big performance in Germany and because of his draw we made him go forward, this year we’re letting him do it himself.”

As for another crack at the Arc, Appleby added: “The option is there, but we’ve seen in his last two races how good he is over 10 furlongs.

“The option is there and we’ll all have a chat, it’s great to talk about options for a horse of this calibre. There’s the Irish Champion, the Arc, the Breeders’ Cup and Japan as well, so there are plenty of options.”

Appleby also refused to rule out Ghaiyyath remaining in training at six, saying: “Sheikh Mohammed has left some of his best horses in training at six, they are lovely conversations to have and I’m sure we’ll spend plenty of time talking about the future.”

Buick said: “This horse can do all the things most horses can’t. He has an amazing high cruising speed we’ve seen many times from him, and he manages to see his races off as well.

“It was an amazing performance again.

“It all went how I wanted it to. He was happy all the way throughout and it was a smooth performance.

“We’ll see about the Arc. Obviously His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Charlie will speak and do whatever is best for the horse.

“He’s the best middle-distance horse I’ve ridden.”

Lord North (left) was well held by Ghaiyyath
Lord North (left) was well held by Ghaiyyath (David Davies/PA)

John Gosden felt the ground perhaps did not totally suit third-placed Lord North.

He said: “He found the ground a little loose – James (Doyle) said when he asked him to quicken he was spinning his wheels a little. It is a little loose out there with the rain on it.

“He’s finished off well to be third and we’re delighted.

“The winner is great – if you let him bowl in front you’ll never see him again.

“We’ll look at the Irish Champion Stakes next with our horse.”

Andrew Balding is now planning to drop back to a mile with Kameko, but will also be seeking faster ground.

He said: “It looked like he didn’t stay. Oisin (Murphy) felt he travelled into the race really well and just didn’t see it out.

“We’ll go back to a mile. We’ve got limited options because he wouldn’t want the ground too soft, so we’ll just have to see.”