The Ebor, Europe’s richest handicap, first run in 1846 and after which the entire meeting is named. It’s run over a mile and three quarters, and resolute stayers often lack the speed for this test, while 12f horses frequently don’t last home. We run two recent festival victors – Opportunity, successful at Royal Ascot; and last-time-out Goodwood winner Hopewell Rock. James has plumped for the Ascot winner, trained by William Haggas, leaving Callum Rodriguez to take the mount on the George Boughey-trainee. Both horses are plausible Ebor winners – Opportunity, the race’s top-weight, has the sheer class; Hopewell Rock is improving rapidly and was most impressive at Goodwood. Underfoot conditions are unlikely to inconvenience either of them. The winner of this race earns a certain start in the G1 Melbourne Cup, worth Aus$10m and run on the first Tuesday in November