Flymetothestars needs soft going before Prescott will take a risk on York’s Ebor

SIR Mark Prescott has warned that his Betfred Ebor favourite Flymetothestars will only run if there is sufficient give in the ground at York on Saturday week.

The four-year-old has only had five races in his life, but ran a blinder to finish a close-up third in the Northumberland Plate at the start of July, beaten by less than a length by Higher Power.

Unusually, the Sea The Stars gelding has yet to race on turf and Prescott would much prefer it if the Knavesmire lived up to its name for the prestigious handicap.

“Flymetothestars will only run if there is ‘soft’ in the ground description,” said Prescott. “It’s a very unusual situation isn’t it – he has never run on turf in his life. He ran extremely well in the Northumberland Plate and hence he is such a short price. But he has never run on turf, only on all-weather.”

Flymetothestars is a best priced 8-1 market leader for the Ebor on August 26.

Gordon Lord Byron could make a swift return to action at York next week in the City of York Stakes after having avoided serious injury in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh.

The multiple Group One winner has been running consistently well this season, bagging a Group Two success along the way in the Greenlands Stakes in May. In his latest Group Three race on Sunday, he finished a close third despite suffering superficial injuries.