Crystal Ocean kicks off a wave of top-class racing at York this week

For a region routinely referred to as God's Own County, the next four days on the Knavesmire promise to showcase just why racing at York, and by wider extension Yorkshire, is so special.

Local pride is often espoused by proud Yorkshiremen and women and there is much for them to shout about this week with an Ebor festival crammed full of stars.

The day one highlight is the Group 1 Juddmonte International and what better horse to hang the race on than the one ranked highest in the world, Crystal Ocean.

While his official mark of 127 is open to debate, especially by those who believe his King George VI conqueror Enable should sit top of the pile, there can be little argument that Crystal Ocean is a supremely talented horse.

The five-year-old, who has been nurtured by Sir Michael Stoute with his customary craft and skill to keep improving with age, moved up an echelon this term with a first Group 1 secured in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

But when the full body of Crystal Ocean's work is measured and assessed, it may be his return to Ascot for the King George that goes down as his greatest effort. The neck defeat to Enable will live long in the memory, as two generational talents set about each other like the boxing heavyweights of old.

With Enable returning to battling her own sex later in the week, Crystal Ocean's path to a second Group 1 looks relatively clear and, should he triumph, it will give Stoute a magnificent seventh victory in the race, 33 years on from his first with Shardari in 1986.

If Crystal Ocean is toppled, the most likely contender again resides in the care of Stoute's Newmarket counterpart, John Gosden.

King Of Comedy only just failed on his Group 1 bow when losing out to Circus Maximus in the St James's Palace Stakes, and the colt should relish the longer trip.

Circus Maximus is also among the opposition, along with stablemate Japan, as Aidan O'Brien bids for a first win in the race since Australia landed the spoils in 2014.

Logician and Frankie Dettori come home comfortable winners of a Newbury handicap on July 4Credit: Alan Crowhurst

Is Logician the logical choice for the Great Voltigeur?

Enable's shadow may loom large over this season and her time at the Ebor festival will come on Thursday when she lines up in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks.

But before then, we could witness another star emerge from Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte breeding juggernaut as the unbeaten Logician stakes his claim for the William Hill St Leger.

Dominant in a Newbury handicap last month, Logician has yet to be faced with a serious examination in three starts, but Wednesday's Group 2 test should ascertain whether the son of Frankel has the right stuff for the final Classic of the season.

Second favourite for the Doncaster Group 1, if Logician does maintain his perfect record then we could have a new St Leger favourite, though ante-post favourite Japan could offer a riposte in the International.

A key trial for the St Leger, last year's Great Voltigeur more than delivered on its brief, with the third, Kew Gardens, going on to triumph at Doncaster.

Kew Gardens finished behind Cross Counter, who subsequently went on to win the Melbourne Cup, while stablemate Old Persian was victorious on World Cup night in the Sheema Classic.

Kew Gardens' trainer Aidan O'Brien saddles Constantinople and Norway this season, while Charlie Appleby, who had the Great one-two in the race 12 months ago, saddles the outsider of the field Jalmoud.

A different view of the action

While football wrestles with the introduction of VAR, racing is utilising some technology of its own courtesy of a reverse-angle replay for photo-finishes.

Judges usually only have one angle to look at when trying to separate a close finish, but at York they will be able to take a different view of proceedings if necessary.

Developed by RaceTech and approved by the BHA, the reverse angle will provide a nearside view alongside the standard mirror image and has been successfully used at the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot.

York assistant clerk of the course Anthea Morshead said: "We are always keen to explore new technologies to see if they can improve the experience of racing from York. As a long-standing partner of RaceTech this will be a further enhancement provided by them."

The BHA is continuing to collaborate with the Racecourse Association on how a phased introduction of this technology can be rolled out across all tracks.

Armchair guide: today on ITV Racing

1.55 York: Sky Bet and Symphony Group Handicap | 5½f
The opening act of the Ebor festival is a big-field sprint handicap. Dakota Gold was a ready winner of the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last weekend and bids for another big prize. Last year's runner-up Final Venture leads the opposition.

2.25 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group 3) | 7f
Charlie Hills has unleashed some exciting types in the Acomb Stakes, including last year's winner Phoenix Of Spain. This time the trainer relies on Persuasion, who made a winning start at Goodwood.

3.00 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2) | 1m4f
All eyes will be on William Hill St Leger ante-post second favourite Logician, who goes on trial for the Doncaster Classic. Unbeaten in three starts, the colt moves out of handicap company for the 2019 dream team of John Gosden and Frankie Dettori.

3.35 Juddmonte International Stakes | (Group 1) | 1m2f
The world's highest-rated racehorse Crystal Ocean is the star name in main event. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained star has been in tremendous form this season, playing his part in the epic King George VI showdown with Enable, and is favourite to land a second Group 1 of the year.

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