6 JULY

GROUP 2 CONTENDERS ENTER THE AUGUST FRAME.

The cast list for the famous group Two contests across the Ebor Festival began to take shape with the first stage of entries.

The most valuable renewals ever of races such as the Sky Bet Lowther (Thursday 18 August) and AL Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack (Friday 19 August) will mark the next stage in the development of promising juveniles. Amongst the fillies the impressive winner of the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot (Dramatised) could meet Maria Bramwell an impressive York winner at the Dante Festival. Amongst the colts, Walbank who landed his maiden on the Knavesmire may face a pair of Royal Ascot champions as both The Ridler and Bradsell hold entries for the race named after the little grey horse.

A host of more established names remain in contention for the longest race of the week, the group Two Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup. Already a six time winner at York, the many fans of Stradivarius will retain the hope of a last hurrah in the North after the chestnut was nominated for the contest on Friday 19 August, Proven Group One opposition could come from Irish stars like Search For A Song .or Sonnyboyliston.

The richest flat handicap in Britain, the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor will see the 84 contenders of July whittled down to just 22 eventual starters. Already assured of a berth in those stalls are the three winners of Sky bet race to the Ebor contests being Valley Forge, Gaassee and Earl of Tyrone.

For the full list of entries as at Wednesday 6 July click here.