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Quinn hoping for clear run with Safe Voyage

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Safe Voyage bids to get back to winning ways in a “spicy” renewal of the Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

The consistent John Quinn-trained seven-year-old, who won the Surrey Stakes at the Derby meeting on his penultimate outing, finished a close-up fourth in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood last time out.

He met trouble in running there – and while Quinn does not think that cost victory over Space Blues, it would still have been a much better run on paper than it initially looks.

“He had a few traffic problems at Goodwood, but it wasn’t the difference between winning and losing – he might have been second or third,” said the Malton trainer.

“I’ve been very happy with him since, and this looks like the right race for him – in saying that, it’s a spicy affair.

“They had the rain Wednesday night, and that will stop the ground from getting too firm. As long as there’s still a bit of juice in it, he’ll be fine.”

Safe Voyage will need to be at his best on Saturday to beat William Haggas’ mare One Master, who overcame her own troubled passage to win at Goodwood.

Roger Varian’s San Donato drops in trip, having made a big move in the Sussex Stakes only to tire late on, and last year’s Gimcrack winner Threat is another with solid form to his name.

In the Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes, David O’Meara’s 2019 Queen Anne winner Lord Glitters sets the standard.

Charlie Hills’ Pogo arrives on the back of a career-best effort when third in the Prix d’Ispahan, while Varian fields two likely contenders in Prince Eiji and Zabeel Prince.

Royal Hunt Cup winner Dark Vision is there also, as is Alan King’s Beringer, who re-opposes after going down narrowly to Mark Johnston’s four-year-old at Pontefract on his first run since chasing home Lord North in the Cambridgeshire.

“He ran a nice race on his comeback at Pontefract the other day and he’s trained well since,” said King.

“This is another step up for him. But he isn’t a million miles behind on ratings, and I hope he’ll run well.

“A bit of ease in the ground will suit him.”

King also has a lively contender in the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap in Midnights Legacy, winner of his last three.

The Barbury Castle trainer said: “He’s a progressive horse, and I think the step up in trip will suit him.

“He was good at Haydock last time, and this race has always been the plan.”

Hughie Morrison’s Kipps has the assistance of Ryan Moore – with Richard Hannon’s Mambo Nights, winner of all his three races this season, carrying top weight.

True Self tries again as Mullins eyes second Ebor victory

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Willie Mullins seeks a second win in the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap when he saddles True Self in the York feature.

The Closutton trainer struck in the 2009 renewal with the mare Sesenta, a 25-1 shot under then 5lb claimer Gary Carroll when she got the better of Aidan O’Brien’s hotpot Changingoftheguard.

Mullins’ representative this year was beaten only three lengths into sixth place 12 months ago, before going on a round-the-world tour – which included trips to Australia, where she won a Group Three, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.

Since returning to Ireland, True Self has finished a creditable fourth behind the top-class Magical in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and a slightly disappointing sixth in the Munster Oaks at Cork.

However, 10lb lower than 12 months ago, the seven-year-old is expected to put up a bold showing on her return to the Knavesmire, where she will be ridden by Jason Watson.

Mullins’ assistant David Casey said: “Hopefully she’ll run well. She ran well in the race last year when things didn’t really go her way during the race, and she seems in very good form at home.

“She ran a good race in the Group One behind Magical, and Cork probably came a bit quick after that.

“We’ve put a tongue-tie on her at home, and it seems to have improved her – she’s been working very well this week.

Mustajeer was an impressive Irish winner last year
Mustajeer was another Irish winner of the Ebor last year (Clint Hughes/PA)

“If she brings her A-game, she should run a big race.”

True Self is one of two Irish challengers, along with Joseph O’Brien’s Pondus.

The raiding party is bidding to win the race for a fourth time in the last seven years following the recent triumphs of Johnny Murtagh’s Mutual Regard (2014), Tony Martin’s Heartbreak City (2016) and the Ger Lyons-trained Mustajeer (2019).

Alan King fires a twin assault, with the well-fancied Trueshan joined by Royal Ascot-winning stable companion Scarlet Dragon.

Trueshan was last seen claiming a Listed prize at Haydock, while Scarlet Dragon finished seventh in the Old Newton Cup on Merseyside – having previously claimed top honours in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at the Royal meeting.

“Trueshan is in good order, and I think the step up in trip will suit him,” said King.

“He was good at Haydock a few weeks ago – we’ve been happy with him since, and I was pleased to see the rain come earlier in the week.

“It’s a very competitive race, obviously. But he’s progressive, and I hope he’ll run well.

“Scarlet Dragon was tremendous at Royal Ascot, and I thought he ran well at Haydock in ground that would have been much too deep for him.

“I see we’re drawn widest of all – but we’ll slot in behind anyway, so it’s probably not the end of the world for him.

“He is his own man, so it just depends what sort of mood he’s in. I think a mile and six is within his compass.”

Nicky Henderson views ground conditions as key to the chances of his high-class dual-purpose mare Verdana Blue.

Nicky Henderson's Verdana Blue prefers quick conditions
Nicky Henderson’s Verdana Blue prefers quick conditions (Jeff Holmes/PA)

The 2018 Christmas Hurdle heroine was mowed down late by King’s Coeur De Lion in the Ascot Stakes on her latest outing.

Henderson said: “I’m told the forecast is for dry and windy weather and sunshine, which would be great.

“She ran very well at Ascot. It was probably all that rain they got on the Monday night that caught her out, and maybe the last couple of furlongs as well.

“We’re coming back six furlongs in trip. But she loves two miles on fast ground over hurdles at Kempton, so a mile and six on the Flat should be perfect.

“If the forecast is right and the ground is good, I’d be hopeful.”

Other leading contenders include Roger Varian’s Fujaira Prince, Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Deja and the William Haggas-trained pair of Pablo Escobarr and Monica Sheriff.

Pablo Escobarr won the Group Three Glorious Stakes at Goodwood last month, while Monica Sheriff is unbeaten in her last five starts, but the pair have been drawn in stalls 20 and 21 respectively.

Haggas said: “They’re drawn 41 between them – how’s your luck? It’s a disaster, but there you go, there’s nothing I can do about the draw.

“They’re both very well.”

Smart all-weather performer Stargazer is a big outsider for Phil Kirby, having been sidelined since winning at Newcastle in April of last year.

“It’s a big ask for his first start back, but he seems well and we’ve got to start somewhere,” said Kirby.

“We had planned to go for the Northumberland Plate, but he had a small setback when we were getting him ready, and this was the next natural race for him.

“I’m sure he’ll improve for the run. We’ll make a start and see where we are.”