Shame there'll be no Melbourne Cup trip for Ebor winner but York results still whet the appetite for autumn showdowns

My joy at Ethical Diamond's Ebor romp, and what it might mean for his chances in the Melbourne Cup, was short-lived. A screw in his leg means he wouldn't pass the veterinary protocols in Australia. That's a pity, as after his Royal Ascot victory the talk was all about Melbourne. 

The stringent procedures down under have scuppered a trip for Willie Mullins' horse, but there will still be some massive pots available to him on the Flat and over jumps going forward. 

A rating of 143 over hurdles could be easily exploited, while on the Flat a step up to Listed or Group company looks entirely feasible. He is exciting and now starting to make the progress he always looked capable of.