King's Advice heads 22 in £1m Ebor on Saturday but Salouen misses out

A maximum field of 22, headed by prolific ante-post favourite King's Advice, will go to post for the first £1 million Sky Bet Ebor at York on Saturday following Thursday morning's declaration stage.

Trained by Mark Johnston, King's Advice has won eight times in 2019, beginning in March at Lingfield off a mark of 71.

Now rated 113, he faces fellow leading contenders Withhold, Raheen House and Ben Vrackie in a race for which he heads the market at 6-1.

Top-weight Salouen, who had been a 16-1 chance, is out and Royal Line was also not declared, so Cleonte and The Grand Visir make the cut, while Cypress Creek and Proschema are the reserves.

Mustajeer, fourth in one of the sport's best Flat handicaps last year, is back for more.

"He is in good form and we have been happy with his preparation," said trainer Ger Lyons.

"He ran very well last year to finish fourth. We rode him to get the trip that day and we were delighted with his effort and how he saw out the distance.

"We have been really pleased with him so far this season and he ran well to finish fifth last time out, which was a nice stepping stone."

Lyons, who trains the six-year-old for David Spratt, added: "This year's renewal has plenty of quality and these staying handicaps are turning into very competitive Group races in terms of the talent on show. We can ride Mustajeer a bit more prominently this year and are hopeful of a good effort.

"The Ebor has been the target this year and it would be a great prize to win. York is a very fair track and there should be no hard-luck stories."

Saturday's bill at York also features the Sky Bet City of York Stakes, in which top filly Laurens participates.

Ebor runners, riders and betting

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