IRISH trainers have won five of the last 10 runnings of the Ebor Handicap, but their latest quintet may be jinxed by market support, as favourites have a poor record in the mile-and-six-furlong test.

Just one market leader has delivered in the last 10 years, with another three finishing in the first four. It’s a trend that goes against the current favourite Queenstown, as Aidan O’Brien’s charge bids to become the third four-year-old to win in four years. He proved himself over the trip when chasing home Kyprios on his last two starts, with Jessica Harrington’s hope Yashin finishing third behind him on both occasions.

The five-year-old subsequently disappointed in the Northumberland Plate, but connections will be hoping that recent wind surgery will see him bounce back today.

Polish export

Only one of the last 10 winners have been sent off shorter than 7/1; the overnight price of Willie Mullins’ sole representative Hipop De Loire. The Stawomir Pegza-owned seven-year-old has the most unique background of the field, having begun his career in Poland, before landing a German listed race and placing in another two.

Mullins, who is the gelding’s sixth trainer, debuted the bay in a maiden hurdle at Galway, where he finished second to talented stablemate Jackfinbar.

Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins is confident of a bold show. “His work at home is very good, he ran very well in a hurdle race for us at Galway. He was beaten by another highly-rated flat horse in Jackfinbar,” he said.

“Absurde got beat in a hurdle at Galway before winning the Ebor last year, so that’s not a bad prep! He’s run on good ground on the continent, so we are helpful he will go on it.

“He’s been given a mark of 102, which obviously says his form is strong, and having the Irish champion [jockey] Colin Keane is a big plus.”

Sesenta repeat

Billy Lee and Henry de Bromhead are hoping to add another British prize to their haul with Magical Zoe, with the same combination having won the Group 2 Lillie Langtry Stakes with Term Of Endearment earlier this month, the mare having also won a Group 3 at York under Rachael Blackmore in May.

Today marks just a fourth flat start for Magical Zoe, her prior form being a Down Royal maiden win, fifth at listed level, and third in a Group 3 over today’s trip, earning her a rating of 101. The last mare to win the Ebor was the Willie Mullins-trained Sesenta in 2009.

Gavin Cromwell’s likeable eight-year-old My Mate Mozzie looks good value at his current price, based on his third to Belloccio in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot, a race won by 2020 Ebor victor Fujaira Prince.

Absurde finished second there before triumphing at York, with a run at Galway between; My Mate Mozzie was last seen taking third in the Galway Hurdle. He runs off 98 today, compared to Absurde’s 104 last year, though Mullins’ charge was three years younger.