Luca Cumani will be represented solely by Mad Rush in Wednesday’s totesport Ebor at York after Sanbuch and Bauer were scratched due to the ground.

The fancied duo did not appear amongst the 20 horses declared for the 1m6f contest on the Knavesmire will very soft conditions set to greet the runners.

“They’re both fine but they just won’t like the ground as testing as it will be on Wednesday. They’re not soft-ground horses,” admitted the Newmarket handler, who nevertheless is happy to let top weight Mad Rush take his chance.

“He’s a big, strong horse and he’s won on soft ground before, so let’s hope he can handle it on Wednesday,” he added.

“It is a big ask (from top weight) and he does have to give quite a bit of weight to Young Mick but everything is a worry when you’re taking on 19 others horses.”

Ajaan drops back to a handicap and a more suitable distance after struggling in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot and a Listed two-mile race at

Sandown.

Henry Cecil’s four-year-old had been in good form earlier in the season, winning two handicaps at Newmarket, and connections expect a better show on Wednesday.

“The distance should suit him, as should the ground conditions,” said Alan Cooper, racing manager to owners the Niarchos Family.

“Obviously it’s one of the most competitive races of its type of the year and we’ll just have to see how much luck we get.

“We went a bit too far in trip with him at Ascot and things don’t go quite right the next time at Sandown, but conditions look right for a good run - although this is one of the toughest handicaps.”

Sir Mark Prescott’s Wicked Daze and George Margarson’s Young Mick, who finished third two years ago, also feature in the final field.

Other leading fancies to stand their ground include Jeremy Noseda’s Milne Graden, the Paul Cole-trained Pippa Greene and Aidan O’Brien’s Hindu Kush - although the latter is also declared to run in the Great Voltigeur on Tuesday.

James Bethell’s Kasthari is the last horse to make the cut, with 2006 winner Mudawin and La Vecchia Scuola named as the two reserves.
(Source: Sky Sports)