De Bruyne could be the horse to plunder huge opening-race pot

1.55 Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes

The Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes carries prize-money right down to tenth place, meaning one in every two of the runners will pick up something, but while the reward for the tenth home is only £330, the winner collects £184,350.

Twelve months ago Richard Hannon sent out the winner and he tries to do so again with a twin-pronged challenge spearheaded by Middleham Park Racing's Woodcote Stakes victor De Bruyne Horse, who wears blinkers for the first time in what could be his final outing for the syndication company.

Middleham Park director of operations Mike Prince said: "He is entered in the horses-in-training sale at Doncaster in September and will go there whatever happens at York, but we'll have a reserve on him and if he doesn't meet it we'll carry on racing him.

"We're dropping him back in trip after he won a French Listed race over seven furlongs, so the rain that has fallen should help him as it might slow a few of the others down.

"We also run Ventura Dragon, who is another dropping back in trip after winning over just beyond seven furlongs at Ffos Las last time. This might be a bit sharp for him but the race is worth a lot of money and the rain will have helped him as well."

3.00 Clipper Logistics Handicap

Al Shaqab Racing have given themselves three chances of landing the £85,000 Clipper Logistics Handicap – and if pushed to select one of the three, racing manager Harry Herbert says he would be an El Vip man.

Sheikh Joaan's operation also fields the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Sandown winner El Hayem, the mount of retained rider Frankie Dettori, and Hugo Palmer's Chelmsford winner Qassem, but it is El Vip, most recently 20th in the Royal Hunt Cup, who Herbert tentatively feels might strike for Luca Cumani.

El Hayem is one of three runners for Al Shaqab in the same handicapCredit: Mark Cranham

"They're all in different yards and they're all the right sort of horse for what is a very valuable race," said Herbert.

"I suppose of the three I would be edging towards El Hayem and El Vip, although they are completely different types.

"El Hayem could race up towards the front, whereas El Vip is a hold-up horse and a very good one on his day. I was seriously impressed with him at Newcastle and Jamie Spencer gets on well with him.

"If I was made to go for just one of them, it might just be him – so Qassem will probably hose up!"

4.15 British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes

Mori does not just have blue blood. She has royal blue blood. She also has a very obvious chance of taking the British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes.

As a daughter of Cecil superstars Frankel and Midday, the Ribblesdale Stakes second would be an extremely appropriate winner of the Listed contest, staged over the same course and distance as the Yorkshire Oaks.

"The Ribblesdale was the best race she has run to date," said trainer Sir Michael Stoute, adding: "She's progressive and we're very happy with her.”

Stoute was successful in the Galtres 12 months ago. Delve further back in the race records and you find it was once almost monopolised by Luca Cumani, who posted eight wins in the 1990s. In pursuit of a first success in the contest since 1999, he saddles Aljezeera.

4.50 British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Handicap

The 7f fillies' handicap that closes Thursday's card is now in its seventh year. William Haggas tries to win it for the first time with Cristal Fizz, who comes here after being unplaced in the French and German 1,000 Guineas, and Gheedaa.

Haggas said: "Cristal Fizz is down in grade. She didn't shape very well in Germany but has a nice draw. The trip and track should suit Gheeda and she should run a nice race."