YORK 15:35 w3l2z

Non Runners: MEKONG, HAMISH.

Time: 2m 56.1s Closing Sectional: (3f): 36.75s (103.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 132%, Betfair SP 100.4%

The Ebor was back to being an early-closer after the Covid-affected 2020 renewal and, whilst it was a typically wide-open affair, a fair few of the shorter-priced ones patently failed to give their running, most notably the t favourites and, unlike in the Melrose earlier in the afternoon, things got a bit messy as the field again swung centre to stand side in the straight, Max Vega better than the result after getting caught in traffic and a few others also finding trouble in-running, Sonnyboyliston enjoying a clear run through from off the pace to become the sixth Irish-trained winner in the last 13 renewals.

SONNYBOYLISTON (IRE) hadn't been seen to best effect in a steadily-run race over C&D on his previous start but found this stronger gallop more in his favour (also had cheekpieces back on to presumably aid concentration) as he progressed again, connections now considering a crack at the Melbourne Cup, though very firm ground is still an unknown so far as he's concerned; held up, good headway from 3f out, switched 2f out, challenged over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final 1f.

QUICKTHORN evidently hadn't been right when seen here 6 weeks earlier and got back on the up returned to handicap company, splitting a pair that came from further back and clearly good enough to be having another crack at minor pattern events at some point; never far away, disputed lead over 3f out, edged ahead over 1f out, tackled soon after, kept on well, edged out well inside final 1f.

ALOUNAK (FR) has been racing on softer ground this season and probably benefited from this return to further under less testing conditions, confirming himself as good as he's ever been for a yard that's having a tremendous season; patiently ridden, headway from 3f out, ran on.

SHANROE after 11 weeks off, was having just the sixth outing of his Flat career and ran his best race, making his effort in the centre and enjoying a trouble-free run through as a result; mid-field, headway over 2f out, kept on; he's a likeable type who rarely fails to give his running.

MAX VEGA (IRE) was unlucky not to finish closer, left with too much to do after a troubled age, sure to have run at least as well as ever with a smoother run; held up, not clear run over 3f out, over 2f out, switched soon after, ran on, left with too much to do; he'll be fresher than most this autumn, is proven on testing ground and is clearly at the top of his game right now.

ROBERTO ESCOBARR (IRE) had every chance and did all he could on his handicap debut, faring best of the Haggas-trained trio; in touch, good headway early in straight, disputed lead over 3f out, no extra final 1f.

AWAY HE GOES (IRE) was 2 lb well-in after his excellent run in the Goodwood Cup but couldn't match that form back in a handicap, hardly discredited all the same; in rear, came wide straight, headway under pressure over 2f out, no further impression, all the while carrying his head high as usual.

PABLO ESCOBARR (IRE) turned out again quickly, wasn't discredited but continues to find it hard going in varied company; mid-field, ridden under 3f out, not quicken from 2f out.

TRIBAL CRAFT looked one of the more interesting runners from a handicapping angle having run so well in the Lillie Langtry after the weights were published but wasn't seen to best effect; in rear, not clear run over 3f out, again over 2f out, switched over 1f out, no further impression; she's due to be 4 lb higher in future.

GLOBAL STORM (IRE) didn't have the clearest of runs as the field bunched up towards the stand side but that can't be used as full explanation for him not being at his best; held up, came wide straight, short of room from 3f out, no chance over 2f out, not unduly punished; there's nothing at all wrong with the form of his previous outing at Newmarket.

EUCHEN GLEN faced a notably stiff task from a BHA mark of 116, 7 lb higher than his previous appearance in a handicap, and unsurprisingly wasn't up to it, not shaping at all badly in the circumstances; led 4f, remained prominent, ridden 3f out, one paced.

MAKAWEE (IRE) isn't well enough treated to get involved in handicaps as competitive as this; mid-field, shaken up 3f out, made no impression.

ON TO VICTORY has found it tough going in handicaps since his win at Doncaster last back-end; mid-field, shaken up 3f out, not quicken.

FUJAIRA PRINCE (IRE) didn't see things out in his bid to follow up last year's win from a 6 lb higher mark, folding in quite worrying fashion having seemed likely to be involved in the finish at one point; tracked pace, disputed lead over 3f out, weakened over 1f out; maybe his late start to the season wasn't intentional.

MIRANN (FR) produced a rare below-par effort, not seeing things out for whatever reason, though his profile suggests he's likely to bounce back sooner rather than later; held up, brief headway under 3f out, weakened over 1f out.

EAGLES BY DAY (IRE) back up in trip, failed to come on for recent run making his first appearance in a handicap and hasn't run to his best for around 12 months now; close up, out wide back straight, weakened over 2f out.

MT LEINSTER (IRE) was backed into t favouritism for his handicap debut after 10 months off but had things go wrong from the word go and can't be judged on this, highly likely to make a much better fist of defying this sort of mark another day; dwelt, in rear, shaken up under 4f out, no response.

ILARAAB (IRE) assumed t favouritism in his stable-companion Hamish's late absence but disappointed after 9 weeks off, just not running much of a race for whatever reason, hard to believe the longer trip or higher mark can be forwarded as excuses given how he performed; dwelt, held up, shaken up over 3f out, soon beaten.

HUMANITARIAN (USA) was having his first try beyond 1½m and too free in a first-time hood after 11 months off; handy, led after 4f, headed over 5f out, weakened quickly 3f out, eased.

BLUE CUP (FR) has pulled hard over 1¼m so it was maybe not surprising that he refused to settle over this much longer trip; in touch, raced freely, went on over 5f out, headed over 3f out, weakened quickly.