The first stage of entries for the three Group One contests to be staged over the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival (Wednesday 21^st - Saturday 24^th August) have been revealed, confirming that they could each be memorable contests.

The Juddmonte International could well deliver on its title, as Cheval Grand is set to mount a challenge for Japan in a contest where he could face Enable, the Juddmonte Farm’s owned darling of European middle distance thoroughbreds. These pair already have accounted for eight titles at the highest level and sit amongst a field numbering forty that share some thirty-four Group One successes amongst them. Continuing the international flavour, the Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien has twelve contenders including the aptly named, Japan.  A race that is often viewed as the clash of the generations could still contain the last two winners of the Investec Derby as both Masar (2017) and Anthony Van Dyck (2018) could head to the start on Wednesday 21^st August.

Both the 2017 and 2018 winners of the Darley Yorkshire Oaks are entered for the 2019 renewal on Thursday 22^nd August; however the defending champion, Sea of Class, seems the more likely to take this route and offer William Haggas further big race success. Previous York form could be prominent as the winners of the 2018 and 2019 Group Two Middleton Stakes, Coronet and Lah Ti Dar, are under consideration for a return to the Knavesmire. There are seventeen younger fillies amongst a total entry of twenty-four and they could have Investec Oaks victor, Anapurna, as the most likely to climb to podium success for Champion Trainer, John Gosden.

On Friday the stage is given over to the speedsters with twenty-seven contenders announced for the five furlong dash of the Coolmore Nunthorpe. A strong challenge could be set by northern based handlers with Mabs Cross from Michael’s Dods yard looking to go one better after being edged out in the 2018 photo finish. Copper Knight, trained near the course by Tim Easterby has both Course and Distance form being amongst the more experienced entrants, aged five. At this stage, there are a trio of younger horses hoping to  emulate Kingsgate Native who landed the prize aged just two, way back in 2007.

Please click here for a full list of entries.