Eagle can take crown from Willie

The bookmakers believe Willie Mullins has one hand on today’s Sky Bet ebor handicap with Stratum and Whiskey Sour dominating the market as the redoubtable Irish handler strives to land europe’s richest handicap. Fortune is favouring Stratum’s owner Tony Bloom as the ante-post favourite narrowly made the cut for this race just days after his beloved Brighton saw off Manchester United. A comprehensive victory in a competitive Newbury staying handicap teed up Stratum nicely for this afternoon’s test and he could be open to any amount of improvement, even if the layers have him priced short enough. A low draw is not always a positive in this race though with just one single-figure berth successful in the last 10 years and I am hopeful it is another trainer with two entries who could prosper. Frankie Dettori has produced vintage rides this week and today would be an opportune moment for fellow Italian Marco Botti to share some of the spotlight courtesy of victory for (York, nap, 3.40). The Newmarket handler has two live chances with course and distance winner Dylan Mouth also boasting excellent claims, but narrow preference is for bargain-buy Crowned eagle — part-owned by Southampton striker Charlie Austin — who has performed with huge credit in some of the season’s hottest middle-distance handicaps. The form of the four-year-old’s Old Newton Cup run last time has worked out well and, given that his dam Gull Wing was a strong stayer at today’s trip and also won at York, this test looks ideal. The selection’s performance here in May when narrowly denied by hamada also looks red-hot form given his conqueror’s subsequent progress. It is difficult to keep Dettori out of the headlines and he also boasts a live chance with Weekender, who was beaten by the classy Marmelo in a course-record time here in June and would be dangerous if allowed to dominate.