Racing Lee's Ebor Festival Friday Tips

This Aussie mare can make it 2-1 against rival Big Evs, and gain revenge for a head defeat last time out. She got going too late at Glorious Goodwood when going down by a head, but now gets a six-pound swing in the weights with market rival Big Evs.

She had previously beaten him at Royal Ascot in the Group One Kings Stand, and she showed a great turn of foot on both occasions. Here’s hoping she can show the same in Friday’s feature race to land a telling blow.

A few could tempt you in having shown past good form, but the eye was always drawn to Vauban in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. He travelled sweetly and just as well as the winner three furlongs from home, only wilting at the two-furlong pole. That was over two-mile-four in the Group One feature of Ascot, and now tackles this Group Two lesser race over two-miles. He again travelled well three starts back at this course in the Group Two Yorkshire Cup over one-mile-six.

He beat the re-opposing Gregory fair and square when runner-up that day and has form linking to winnings who have since won, including the mighty Kyprios, and Tower Of London. He’s a Triumph Hurdle winner, who was second to Champion Hurdle hero State Man last year in the Irish Championship Hurdle. He’s classy, stays this trip fine and handled the course well this season, making him a live player.

He’s overpriced on old form but does need to bounce back. He’s dropped three pounds from his latest run, and three pounds since his seasonal return when third in the Chester Cup consolation race, The Chester Plate.

Although seen at longer trips, he might be to lead this field and stay on well to regain some form. He’s the each-way play of the day.