We should be in for a real treat this week, with the beautiful York racecourse taking centre-stage, for the Ebor festival. The handicaps will no doubt prove to be thoroughly competitive, as ever, but we shall aim to land one or two big-priced placers at least! The opener looks to be a real head scratcher.

2022 winner, BERGERAC, has certainly caught my eye – he races from the same winning mark of 93. The Kevin Ryan-trained runner has had a productive season, winning once and placing two more times. He must be on everyone’s each-way radar.

I think there’s a real chance of getting the front pair beat here – with GOODWOOD GALAXY. The likely favourite, Distant Storm, coupled with the second-priced runner currently, Italy (who cost us a double last month), may take each other on up front.

If they do so, there is a chance a closer can prevail. Goodwood Galaxy’s fourth at Goodwood can be upgraded, following a slow start, and he appeals at the prices. 

Despite being up against dual Derby winner, Lambourn, I’m sticking with my Royal Ascot scorer, CARMERS. The unbeaten three-time winner took his form to a new level, when landing the G2 Queen’s Vase Stakes on just a third start.

He defeated Furthur that day, who has subsequently won the G3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury. It’s unlikely that we have seen the best of Carmers yet and I don’t envisage this drop in trip to be a concern.

Despite a small field, this is an absolutely brilliant renewal of the G1 International Stakes. There are five realistic challenges, who all could play a part in the finish. We shouldn’t even discount, as unlikely as it appears on official ratings, to dismiss Birr Castle. We all saw what happened when a pacemaker won the Sussex Stakes at a monster price!

DANON DECILE is my idea of the winner, following an impressive Grade One victory in Meydan. He comfortably beat subsequent dual Grade One scorer Calandagan that day and brings a huge amount of potential to the race, for the Japanese.

SANTORINI STAR rates a thoroughly unexposed individual at staying distances. The daughter of Golden Horn has run with plenty of credit on a Listed event and a Group Three recently.

She could arrive leniently treated from a mark of 97 – having scope for further progress now racing over this two-mile plus journey. Another positive is the health of her stable – William Haggas arrives in scintillating form, having a 39% strike-rate in the last fortnight (prior to his sole runner on Tuesday).

I think I’ve found a value play in this competitive sprint handicap. Luna A Inbhir Nis holds plenty of appeal, at the head of the betting, chasing a hat-trick. She has improved a whopping 29lb since her winning spree but I prefer LADY ROXBY, who was just a neck behind her last time (at this venue).

The three-year-old filly has finished in the front two on all three runs for this stable and could easily have more to offer.

UTMOST RESPECT interests me on handicap debut, from an opening mark of 97. He has progressed with each of his three runs – a seventh on penultimate outing came in Listed company at Royal Ascot.

The first and second from that race has since placed in Group events. I believe Utmost Respect will benefit from the extra furlong here and he may be able to challenge for the placings.