View from connections ahead of Saturday's Betfred Ebor at York.
Trainer predicts big run from classy Fallon mount
Brian Ellison is oozing with confidence ahead of
Saptapadi's run in the Betfred Ebor at York.
Unruffled by the five-year-old's wide draw, the North Yorkshire trainer has been heartened by the form of his leading contender's last run.
That also was on the Knavesmire over an extended 10 furlongs when he was an unlucky-in-running fifth behind Twice Over in the Group Two Sky Bet Stakes.
Straight after the race, six-times champion jockey Kieren Fallon sounded Ellison out for the ride in the Ebor and the form has proved rock solid.
Twice Over paid the ultimate compliment by winning the Juddmonte International over the course and distance on Tuesday while the fourth horse that day, Class Is Class took the Group Three Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock earlier this month.
"When you look at his last run, the horse that won (Twice Over) won on Wednesday and Class Is Class came out and won. We should have been second anyway," said Ellison.
"I don't think the trip makes a difference to him. He's such a good horse he can run over anything from a mile and a quarter to a mile and six (furlongs). He's brilliant."
Ellison believes he has a strong second string to his bow in
Moyenne Corniche.
"I think Moyenne Corniche will finish in the first four. They have been working together and are in great form," he added.
Lost In the Moment was one length and two places ahead of Saptapadi when third in the John Smith's Cup last month and he went on to prove his versatility when only going down by a head to Opinion Poll in the Goodwood Cup.
"He just got beaten in the Goodwood Cup but demonstrated there that day that these sort of distances suit him well," said Simon Crisford, racing manager for owners Godolphin.
"He had trouble in running but finished his race very strongly.
"He comes into the race officially 'well in' - his rating has gone up since these weights were announced - and his run at Goodwood established him as a firm contender for this race."
Royal performer
The Queen's Tactician was a course and distance winner on his latest start for which the four-year-old was put up 6lb by the handicapper.
With that in mind, trainer Michael Bell booked Irish apprentice Joseph O'Brien, who claims what could be a vital 3lb.
"He went up 6lb for his last win, so we have booked Joseph (O'Brien) to take a bit off," said Bell.
"He is an extremely talented and professional young jockey, who has lots of big-race experience.
"The horse seems in great form and has run two of his best races at York, when winning last time and also when he was second in the Melrose last year."
Irish challenge
Mount Athos, who defeated Tactician by half a length in that race 12 months ago, does battle for Irish trainer David Wachman.
"He was in the Lonsdale as well, but we decided to run in the Ebor. He seems in good form and I'd be hopeful he'll run very well," said Wachman.
"I was happy with his run in Leopardstown the other day and he likes good ground, so I wouldn't want to see much more rain for him."
Nehaam got back to winning ways at Ascot four weeks ago in what was his second start after 17 months off the track.
Connections of the John Gosden-trained five-year-old are hopeful of a good run.
"It's been well documented he had lots of problems after his three-year-old year," said Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.
"We brought him back after he had a long time off. He ran just a moderate race first time, but then improved an awful lot to win last time and hopefully he's still going upwards.
"I'm hope he's in good shape to do himself justice."
