'We've aimed him at the race and we just hope he gets a bit more luck' - top trainers assess their Ebor chances

Those who backed Hipop De Loire in last year's Ebor must have seen a solitary magpie that morning, walked under a line of ladders and smashed the mirror in their bathroom while brushing their teeth. He saw about as much daylight as they do in Svalbard during the summer. 

Some of those punters have been waiting patiently for Hipop De Loire to return to the Knavesmire and here he is, off a mark just 3lb higher than last year. Colin Keane is back on board and he couldn't have been any more impressive when scooting clear in a maiden hurdle at Galway at the end of July. 

Trainer Willie Mullins said: "We've aimed him at the Ebor and we just hope he gets a bit more luck than he did last year. He impressed me at Galway and he's done everything right at home since. We're looking forward to it."

Mullins has won the Ebor twice – with Sesenta in 2009 and Absurde 14 years later. Both, as it happens, were arguably second strings.

Champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins has won the Ebor twice beforeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Mick Kinane rode Deutschland, who was a much shorter price against Sesenta, while Jackfinbar was well fancied and the mount of William Buick when only 12th to Absurde. 

This time around Buick has been booked for Ethical Diamond, emphatic winner of the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot in June. 

Mullins said: "Ethical Diamond put it all together at Royal Ascot and did what we thought he could do. We've learned a lot about him over the last year and he seems in good form ahead of York."

The Mullins challenge is completed by Charlus, a bitter disappointment in the Copper Horse Stakes when refusing to settle. 

"I really wasn't expecting Charlus to get in as he was well down the pecking order last week," admitted Mullins. "But plenty have come out and he sneaks in. I hope there's more to come from him and he seems in good form."

More Intel on the Ebor:

2025 Ebor Handicap at York: the runners, the odds, the verdict 

'He's tough and has a touch of class' - De Bromhead on Ascending

Henry de Bromhead is bidding for back-to-back Ebors, something which hasn't been done in the recent history of the famous staying event. 

The County Waterford trainer sent out Magical Zoe to emphatically land the spoils last year under Billy Lee and this time he is represented by Ascot Stakes winner Ascending. 

Lee is on the sidelines as he recovers from a broken collarbone, so the vastly experienced Seamie Heffernan has been snapped up to ride. 

Henry de Bromhead chats with the Queen before winning last year's Ebor with Magical ZoeCredit: Edward Whitaker

After winning just one of his first 18 races, Ascending has now won his last three and showed a tremendous attitude to fight off allcomers in the Ascot Stakes. He has just a 3lb higher mark to deal with here and De Bromhead is expecting another big run. 

The trainer said: "I wanted to run him in the Copper Horse Stakes over the shorter trip at Royal Ascot, but he didn't get in so we went for the Ascot Stakes instead. I was worried about the trip there, but he saw it out really well and Billy [Lee] timed it to perfection. 

"He's tough, and has a touch of class too. Everything has gone well for him since Ascot and we're looking forward to seeing how he gets on."

What they say

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of French Master
He's back in trip from running over two miles in the Goodwood Cup, which we think will suit him. He has top weight in a tough race but hopefully can be in the mix.

Adrian Keatley, trainer of Kihavah
He's in good form. We've been delighted with his lead-up; he put in a great effort in the Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen. Hopefully he's going to be there or thereabouts. He's off a higher mark but seems capable, the same as he was over hurdles.

Ian Williams, trainer of Real Dream, Enemy and Oneforthegutter
Real Dream has run to a very decent level in his last two starts. He's handicapped to that level. He'll enjoy the big field, though he's again poorly drawn in stall 20. Enemy is running off his lowest mark for some time, but he's getting older. His mark gives him a chance and he has a great draw in stall six. He showed some encouragement at the Shergar Cup. Oneforthegutter comes into the race on the back of his best performance at Newmarket. We've kept him nice and fresh. He's a little bit unfortunate to be drawn as wide as he is in stall 19, but I'm sure Saffie [Osborne] will do her best to overcome that.

James Tate, trainer of Majestic Warrior
He's all good, he's had a nice preparation into the race and we're looking forward to it. I think we see a mile and six as his ideal trip, and the further he went the better he was at Thirsk, so it doesn't worry us too much. It's probably a question of whether he's streetwise enough for a race like this. He works well at home and we expected him to do what he did last time.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Mr Percy
He's had a good prep. He'll like the fast ground and the distance. It's a step up in class but we hope he can run a big race and it would be great if he could get a share of the prize-money.

Read more Saturday previews:

2.25 York: Could there be another exciting Group performer lurking in this year's Melrose Handicap?   

3.00 York: 'He'll have his ground and the track will be perfect for him' - key insight for an intriguing City of York   

Curragh: Churchill, Gleneagles, Magical - who could be the next stars in waiting in Saturday's Group 2 races?   

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