YORK 15:35

Non Runners: MORACANA (IRE). Race Distance Adjustment: +22 yds

Time: 2m 56.41s Closing Sectional: (3f): 36.2s (104.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 139%, Betfair SP 100.6%

Not quite the strength in depth we've become accustomed to in recent Ebors, plenty getting into this that wouldn't have been able to of late, and that probably partly explains why Sweet William went off such a short price, lots hard to fancy and the top 2 in the betting filling the first 2 places with a 10-y-o in fourth recording his best position in the race at the fourth attempt; the pace was sufficiently honest to feel there was no particular tactical advantage, though the winner did receive a splendid ride from Dettori, kept wide in the back straight from his high draw - something he'd also done the previous year when successful on Trawlerman - before grabbing the stand rail as the field swung wide into the straight, taking a bit of ground out of the favourite 3f out which proved to be decisive; incidentally, Absurde was the fifth Irish-trained winner of the Ebor in the last 10 years, despite the country being represented by just 18% of the runners.

ABSURDE (FR) had no Vauban to contend with this time and, under a vintage ride from Dettori, went one better than at Royal Ascot on just his second Flat start for Mullins; never far away, out wide back straight, came right across to stand rail in straight, led 2f out, dug deep under pressure to fend off persistent challenge from the favourite; he's got entries in all the big Autumn staying races, though it'll be no surprise if he joins his stablemate Vauban on the trip to Australia now, this win guaranteeing him a spot in the Melbourne Cup.

SWEET WILLIAM (IRE) looked the pick on form under a 4-lb penalty and was a heavily-supported favourite to remain unbeaten in handicaps but couldn't quite get the job done, impossible to crab him in any way but just possible that the greater emphasis on speed compared to his previous 2 starts wasn't entirely in his favour, also asked to challenge in the centre of the track whereas the winner was right under the stand rail; mid-field, smooth headway from 3f out, shaken up 2f out, every chance soon after, stayed on without quite ever being able to get past Absurde; he's got entries in the Cesarewitch and Long Distance Cup this back-end and a crack at the former would look particularly appealing, off a still higher mark obviously but sure to be a leading contender all the same, highly likely to stay the longer trip despite his strong-travelling ways.

LIVE YOUR DREAM (IRE) had gone up another 5 lb for his Newmarket win and ran a cracker under joint top weight; in touch, typically travelled well, headway 3f out, challenged 1f out, stayed on though held final 100 yds; he's yet to tackle listed/minor pattern company but the time has surely come to try him in such races, especially as there are now so few handicaps for him to contest off such a lofty BHA mark.

EUCHEN GLEN was running in the race for the fourth year in succession and, 6 lb lower than 12 months earlier, produced his best placing, adding another £25,000 to the more than £500,000 he's accumulated throughout a cracking career; held up, good progress 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on.

BERKSHIRE ROCCO (FR) in a change of headgear, confirmed his return to form with a good-value claimer up for the first time; made running, joined end of back straight, headed 2f out, not quicken.

CAIUS CHORISTER (FR) had run a cracker in the Melrose over C&D 12 months earlier and did even better in form terms this time round, despite things conspiring against her in the straight; tracked pace, took keen hold, shuffled back from 3f out, rallied approaching final 1f, stayed on; it's a bit surprising she hasn't run more often at this distance.

YASHIN (IRE) was 10 lb higher than when last seen in a handicap and ran as well as he ever has, as on his reappearance sticking at it in a manner that suggests he should be as effective over 2m; mid-field, came wide straight, driven over 2f out, kept on.

SCRIPTWRITER (IRE) backed up his effort in a Group 3 over C&D 6 weeks earlier and was a bit better than the result, too; mid-field, came wide straight, no room against stand rail under 3f out, switched under 2f out, kept on.

POST IMPRESSIONIST (IRE) without the headgear this time, bounced back to his 3-y-o form rather out of the blue and is scheduled to be 4 lb lower in future handicaps, though whether he builds on this remains to be seen; in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on.

SCAMPI under a penalty (set to be 2 lb higher again in future handicaps), shaped as if still in good form, maybe not relishing the longer trip as much as some given the way he shaped; patiently ridden, travelled better than most, shaken up 2f out, not quicken.

GET SHIRTY (IRE) ran better than last time whilst continuing a fair way below the pick of his 2022 form, fifth in this from a 9 lb higher mark; dwelt, in rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, no further impression.

JACKFINBAR (FR) was sent off at single-figure odds after his fine effort at Galway but couldn't back up that effort from the same mark returned to further; chased leaders, lost place gradually from 2f out.

ADJUVANT (IRE) got very warm and produced a rare below-par effort, his big run in the Goodwood mud 3 weeks earlier perhaps having taken the edge off him; patiently ridden, shaken up over 3f out, not quicken.

TASHKHAN (IRE) lacked the speed for this kind of test; raced off the pace, pushed along 5f out, merely passed beaten horses late in the day.

SARATOGA GOLD turned out again quickly, found this too competitive from his current mark in first-time cheekpieces; patiently ridden, shaken up 3f out, made no impression.

ENEMY without a tongue strap this time, couldn't get competitive back in a handicap; dwelt, raced off the pace, never involved.

CEMHAAN couldn't repeat the form of his last couple of starts after 9 weeks off; prominent, took keen hold, not quicken 3f out, weakening when short of room under 2f out.

OCEAN WIND in a change of headgear, probably needs further nowadays but hardly showed a great deal regardless; in rear, labouring 5f out, never on terms.

REAL DREAM (IRE) was maybe unsuited by a change of tactics, the switch presumably dictated by his draw; out wide back straight, disputed lead, headed 2f out, weakened, eased final 1f.

WICKYWICKYWHEELS (IRE) is finding it very tough going in varied company this season; held up, shaken up over 3f out, no response.

SUNCHART in first-time visor, was contesting a handicap for just the second time in his career and ran poorly; dwelt, in rear, pushed along early in straight, made no impression.

HMS PRESIDENT (IRE) turned in a rare poor effort, connections unable to offer an explanation in the immediate aftermath; mid-field, shaken up early in straight, dropped away over 3f out.