TODAY’S chief supporting race at York is the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes (3.05), a mile-and-a-half contest for three-year-olds that is regarded as a key trial for September’s St Leger.

Two seasons ago, the race was won by Postponed, who is the favourite for today’s Juddmonte International, and while Lucarno was the last horse to complete the Great Voltigeur-St Leger double in 2007, there is a live Classic contender in today’s renewal in the shape of Aidan O’Brien’s Idaho.

Having finished an eye-catching third in the Derby and followed up with an equally-impressive second-place finish in the Irish equivalent, Idaho currently tops the ante-post betting for the St Leger.

He is priced at around evens money for today’s trial, where he will be joined by stable-mates Housesofparliament and The Major General in a six-runner field.

The line-up is completed by King Edward VII Stakes winner Across The Stars, Mick Channon’s Harrison and the Roger Charlton-trained Imperial Aviator.


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THE Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (2.30) is the first of ten Group races over the four days of the Ebor Festival, and Godolphin will be double-handed as they look to make a flying start to a meeting that has traditionally proved a happy hunting ground.

The improving Bear Valley, who won a nursery at Goodwood over seven furlongs, will hope to continue his progression through the ranks, with Franny Norton taking on riding duties for the in-form Mark Johnston.

He will have to go some to beat the Hugo Palmer-trained Best Of Days though, who heads the market after a dazzling six-length maiden success on his debut at Sandown.

Godolphin racing manager John Ferguson said: “Bear Valley has got bags of experience. He went and won his nursery well at Goodwood. He went up 13lbs for that, so he is a horse that deserves to take his chance.

“Best Of Days is just starting his career. He won well at Sandown and is a very good-looking horse, and we believe is one with a future. We’re excited about them both, and hopefully they’ll run well.”


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TOMORROW’S feature race is the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, with Irish Oaks winner Seventh Heaven hoping to add the Yorkshire equivalent to her CV.

O’Brien has enjoyed considerable success in the race in the past, and saddles Found, who finished behind Postponed in her last outing, and Even Song, who won the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Furia Cruzada, a three-time winner at the highest level in Italy, will add an Italian flavour after joining the yard of John Gosden, while local hopes will rest with Johnston, who will be hoping Fireglow can improve on two placed finishes at York earlier this season.