Love Me Tender could have York faithful in full voice

Willie Mullins insisted Love Me Tender is “not another Ethical Diamond” but admitted he was delighted to sneak into the bottom of the weights for the Sky Bet Ebor for the same set of connections.

Ethical Diamond was supported into 5-1 favourite before landing the Ebor 12 months ago for Mullins and owners the H O S Syndicate under a confident ride from William Buick.

With the markets responding to increasingly confident noises emanating from Closutton in the build-up, the unexposed Love Me Tender looks sure to be a hot ticket on Saturday after securing the final place among the 22 runners declared at the final 48-hour stage.

Mullins acquired the horse from Arc-winning trainer Peter Schiergen in November after the gelding won minor races at Cologne and Hoppegarten before finishing fourth in a Listed event at Chantilly.

“We were aiming him at earlier in the summer, but he picked up a little setback so we gave him more time,” said Mullins. “And then any of those big handicaps were going to be his target so it was either here or Champions Weekend in Ireland or something like that.

“He missed Galway as well, but we are happy enough coming here now and are pleased we have managed to get him in. It would be hard enough to have another Ethical Diamond but, look, we are in and William Buick rides so we are very happy.”

As befitting the richest handicap run in Europe, dangers are everywhere in a field stacked with talent.

Joseph O’Brien, who has won the Chester Cup with A Piece Of Heaven, two staying handicaps at Royal Ascot and was on the mark with Small Fry on day one of York week, runs Emit with Ryan Moore an early booking in the saddle.

“He is a classy horse. He ran very well in Ascot. He will enjoy going back up in distance on a big track to 14 furlongs and I think he is interesting. He has had a good preparation,” said O’Brien.

Ireland have won seven of the last dozen runnings, but William Haggas (Klassleader) and the in-form Andrew Balding (Tarriance) both have good chances to keep the prize in England.

Alan King, a native Scot, is another batting for the home team and looks to have a leading chance with Daiquiri Bay, winner of the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot on his last start.

“I think the gelding operation has made a big difference to him – he’s settled down a lot,” said King. “He was just getting a bit hot at the end of last year and he’s matured a bit as well.

“He ran well in the Melrose here last year. At the time Rossa (Ryan) wasn’t convinced he really got the mile and six (furlongs) as a three-year-old, but I don’t think that will be an issue this time and he obviously got the trip well enough at Ascot.”

Ian Williams had two entries sitting in the first two reserve slots in Dancing In Paris and Enemy, but chief hope Beylerbeyi made the cut and will go to post with a solid chance under Clifford Lee.

Lee takes the ride on the six-year-old Cesarewitch winner from regular partner Billy Loughnane who is due to be in action at Chester.

Simon and Ed Crisford have lined up Spinning Wheel for the contest with the latter saying the stable was hopeful the four-year-old, a winner at Southwell when last seen, could pick up some decent prize-money.

“It’s a race, as trainers, we all want to win, the Ebor. To have a runner in it is great. He won at Southwell in good style and this was always the plan –  to go to Southwell and go on to the Ebor,” said Crisford.

“He’s an improving horse. It’s a super-tough race, but he’s exactly the sort of horse that will suit York and suit that lovely long run-in from the home turn. Hopefully he can run a decent race.”