York Ebor Meeting: rest of final card

The rest of the York card is also very tricky, although the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup over 2 miles at 16.05 has the most logical winner. Opinion Poll (Mahmood al Zarooni/ Frankie Dettori) won this race last year and also boasts the best 2011 form, having won the Goodwood up and before that running up in the Gold Cup at Ascot, with several of these runners behind. Two of his opponents have run in Germany - Allied Powers (Michael Bell/ Paul Hanagan) and Dandino (James Given/ Tom Queally), who ran much better than the placing suggests last time at Hoppegarten. Both are moving up in trip here and hold solid place chances.

The card opens with a listed race over 7 furlongs, won last year by Yaa Waal (Saeed bin Suroor/ Dettori). However this time we prefer Dream Eater (Andrew Balding/ David Probert) and Regal Parade (David and Adrian Nicholls), both of whom have good form in better company to their credit.

The Melrose Handicap over 1 3/4 miles for 3yo´s at 15.30 is another wide open handicap, and Balding and Probert have another chance here with Whiplash Willie, who has won his last 2 races. The lightly-raced Kinyras (Stoute/ Hughes) and Western Prize (Ralph Beckett/ Nicky Mackay) are also possibles, but we shall stick with the in-form Michael Bell, who has two runners Communicator (Hayley Turner) and the Queen´s Wayward Glance (Wayne Lordan)

Our other fancy at York is Holy Roman Warrior /Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) in the 2yo handicap at 17.50. There is also a group race at Sandown, the Solario Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 15.45, but this has a very poor turnout with only 4 runners. The unbeaten Eastern Sun (John Gosden/ Martin Dwyer) looks the answer here. Also at Sandown, the fillies listed race at 16.20 has attracted a large field, even allowing for the non-runners, and ex-German Magic Eye (Marco Botti/ Adam Kirby) makes her first appearance for her new trainer here. She ran well enough at Goodwood last time to suggest that she has an each-way chance here.

Barry Hills retires today after 32 years as a trainer. Obviously he would like to bow out with a winner, and we hope that Na Zdorovie (Robert Winston), his only runner at his favourite track Chester, can oblige for him in the 2yo maiden at 16.00.