Ground easy enough for Flymetothestars to take part

Betfred Ebor Handicap | 1m6f, 3yo+ | ITV/RUK

Flymetothestars has been given the all-clear to run in Europe's richest handicap after trainer Sir Mark Prescott decided there was enough juice in the York ground.

Prescott, in Ireland, made the call after watching the first two races and consulting with assistant William Butler, who had earlier walked the course.

Flymetothestars has never run on turf but won three of his first four starts on the all-weather before finishing third in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle

Tim Palin, Middleham Park racing manager, said on Friday: "He's in great nick and is one of the least exposed in the field."

Bidding to make up for last year

Ireland have won two of the last three Ebors and four of the last eight, but Ivan Grozny is their only runner this year.

Willie Mullins, successful with Sesenta in 2009, had Wicklow Brave finish second here on the back of a run in the Galway Hurdle two years ago and is trying the same approach again.

Ivan Grozny was brought down at the first flight at Galway but had shown useful form over jumps previously and was a 14-length winner the last time he ran on the Flat 13 months ago.

Mullins said: "His recent form over hurdles has been disappointing, although in fairness to him he got only as far as the first in the Galway Hurdle last time.

"We're just hoping for the best, but it's debatable if he's in the same sort of form as he was this time last year, when he was favourite for the Ebor but had to be withdrawn after injuring himself en route."

Turned out again quickly

Magic Circle is already a winner at York this week – which is just as well because otherwise he wouldn't have been able to bid for Europe's richest Flat handicap.

It was the 4lb penalty he earned for winning over two miles here on Wednesday that ensured he just made the cut, the last of 20 runners at declaration time on Thursday.

The five-year-old is unbeaten in two runs at York and showed he can handle a quickish reappearance when winning twice in seven days in 2015.

Trainer Ralph Beckett said: "He stayed up at York and he's in good shape. It's always a good idea to kick the ball when it's at your feet. He's got a good draw for the first time in a while and I'm hopeful."

Top chance

Expect better from Top Tug in his second crack at this race, having finished only 12th when one of the more fancied runners last year.

He comes here on the back of two career-best efforts, having won a quite valuable event over the Ebor trip at Goodwood in May, then finishing fourth in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap over a probably inadequate mile and a half at Royal Ascot.

And Alan King is in top form, with four wins from his last eight runners before Friday night.

The trainer said: "He's been running well all season and this has been the aim for a while.

"I just hope it stays dry as he doesn't want tacky ground; the more it dries the better."

Tailor-made for Nakeeta

If anyone is due success in a big race it is Iain Jardine, whose Shrewd finished second in this race 12 months ago.

Nakeeta was runner-up in the Chester Cup and Irish November Handicap last season, and filled the same position in a Listed race here in May.

He has been given a two-month break since finishing fourth at Newmarket in June and Jardine said: "He just missed the cut last year and this has been the plan.

"The race is tailor-made for him. They'll go a good gallop and he's a strong-travelling horse. He should go well."

What they say

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Scarlet Dragon
It's a lottery but he's got the form in the book, he's tough and he and Hollie Doyle get on well. It's his first time at a mile and six but I don't see why he shouldn't get it and he has a great each-way shout.

Graham Lee, rider of Clever Cookie
I was delighted with him last time at York because I didn’t get a pace to aim at and he galloped through the line well. He felt as good as he’s ever done.

Roger Varian, trainer of Battersea
The Ebor has been the plan all summer and he's effectively 7lb lower than when finishing fourth in the race last year, accounting for David's [Egan] claim, which he has proved is very valuable. He’s been drawn wide again, which isn't ideal, but this course suits and the stronger the early gallop the better. His best form is on quick ground so we're hoping the weather stays dry.

James Fanshawe, trainer of Star Storm
The draw isn't ideal but he's in good form and ran well at Ascot last time. I just hope the ground doesn't dry out too much.

Brian Ellison, trainer of Seamour
He couldn't run the other day as he was cast in his box, but he's had physio and he's all right now. He ran well to finish fifth in this last year and he's got the same draw this time.

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