Shadwell have got it right this year - but has one slipped through the net?

Saturday: 3.05 York
Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes (Listed Race) | 1m6f | 4yo | ITV/RTV

The horses retained by the late Hamdan Al Maktoum's winding-down Shadwell operation are faring excellently in Britain this season. Those who avoided the chop have generally justified that decision and the numbers back that up.

Some 35 per cent have won, a further 22 per cent have been placed, and backing each of their 55 runners to a £1 stake would have yielded an eyecatching £30.47 profit.

While Shadwell are unrepresented in the Grand Cup Stakes at York, Mandoob sported the famous blue and white silks in 2021 and might be a rare one to have slipped through the net.

After landing a pair of novices in good style, the Brian Meehan-trained four-year-old was campaigned as a stayer last year. He ran second to Breeders' Cup hero Yibir in the Bahrain Trophy before disappointing behind Gold Cup fancy Scope in the Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot.

An ease in the ground was cited as an excuse for the lesser showing by the trainer's rep, and Mandoob bounced right back to form for new owner Oisin Fanning on his seasonal bow and first run after wind surgery back at the Berkshire track in May.

Splitting the near Group 1-class Al Aasy and subsequent easy six-length Listed scorer Third Realm when second in the Buckhounds Stakes was praiseworthy for one so inexperienced, and making the running suited. Conditions here are ideal and the feeling is Shadwell's loss could be Fanning's gain.

Pace pressure from Without A Fight is a minor cause for concern, but his suitability to this trip is questionable and aggressive tactics may dampen his finishing effort.

Kemari is the other form horse in the field. If bouncing back to the level of his Queen's Vase success a year ago he is feared, although Godolphin's runner finished last of eight on his only run at York and has a bit to prove after flopping at Meydan earlier this season.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Last 'win and you're in' for the Ebor

As the race title suggests, the 1m6f contest is the last of the four 'win and you're in' contests for the Sky Bet Ebor, which is staged back on the Knavesmire in August.

Three of the races are staged at today's venue, comprising last year's Melrose Handicap (won by Valley Forge) and the Jorvik Handicap, which was run at the Dante Meeting in May and won by Gaassee, as well as today's contest.

The other was more recently staged over at the Curragh on June 1 and was won by Earl Of Tyrone, who is now one of the market leaders for the Ebor itself on August 20.

Michael Shinners, spokesman for Sky Bet, said: "This is the last of the four races we sponsor that gets you a ticket into the Ebor, but it's slightly different as it's a Listed race.

"No winner of one of these races has yet won the Ebor itself, although Shanroe, who won the Irish race, went on to be fourth in it a year ago. We have Mandoob as favourite at 9-4 to win it this year and he looks to have the right profile for coming back in August."

What they say

Ed Crisford, joint trainer of Without A Fight
He has a penalty, which is not ideal, but he’s always shaped as if he’ll get this trip, so we’re giving it a go. Hopefully, he could make the Ebor if he does stay, and the form of his second to Hukum in Dubai in the spring reads very well.

Ed Dunlop, trainer of John Leeper
He shaped as if he would get two miles when he was fourth on his return at Chester, but didn’t get it when we tried him in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown, hence we're dropping him back. He’s come out of that in good form and this is a race we like.

Brian Meehan, trainer of Mandoob
He ran a great first race for his new owner at Ascot first time and I couldn’t be happier with him. He’s going back up in trip, which will be no problem to him, and I’m very much looking forward to the race.

Brian Ellison, trainer of Onesmoothoperator
We’re getting him ready for the Northumberland Plate and this will tell us plenty as it’s his first run on grass. We’ve put the cheekpieces on to sharpen him up.
Reporting by David Milnes

Saturday's race previews:

2.00 York: 'It's extra special' - Serena Brotherton excited for female amateur challenge

2.35 York: Boardman heads trio of course-and-distance winners in red-hot handicap

2.50 Sandown: Can the classy Caturra justify decision to skip Commonwealth Cup?

3.40 York: 'I fancy him very strongly here' - key trainer quotes for York's big sprint

3.40 York analysis: Who's on the right path to sprint glory? Graeme Rodway outlines the best route (£)

Saturday jury: 'I'd be very excited to ride him' - Jack Mitchell with his big hope for Ascot (£)

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