Sonnyboyliston can pack a punch at York

SONNYBOYLISTON can deliver a knock-out blow to his rivals and win the Sky Bet Ebor at York this afternoon.

Irish trainer Johnny Murtagh knows what is needed to win Europe’s top staying handicap, having saddled Mutual Regard to score in 2014.

The former top jockey gave Sonnyboyliston a sighter over the course and distance last month in the Group Three John Smith’s Silver Cup.

The son of Power put up an eye-catching display in only being beaten four and a half lengths when sixth to the classy Hukum, who has won since. And the handicapper dropped him 1lb for that good effort.

Sonnyboyliston has some excellent credentials for this race, having also won a Listed contest at Limerick and finished third to Japan in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester in May.

The Sky Bet Melrose Handicap, known locally as the three-yearold Ebor, can go to Dhushan. William

Haggas’s lightly-raced son of Sea The Stars looks to be crying out for the step up to a mile and three-quarters judged on his runs over a mile and a half. Having won twice over that trip, it looked too short at Ascot last time when he could not reel in First Light and was beaten half a length.

Haggas can also strike with My Oberon in the Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes. Since winning at this Group Three grade at Newmarket in April, My Oberon has contested three Group One races.

Of those, the pick was his third, beaten a neck by Skalleti in the Prix d’Ispahan at ParisLongchamp in May. He can take full advantage of a drop in class.

Kevin Ryan’s decision to bypass the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes with Boonie can be rewarded with victory in the Julia Graves Roses Stakes. The Brazen Beau colt deserves to lift this Listed prize on the back of placed efforts in the Windsor Castle Stakes and the Molecomb Stakes.