IT will be a strange Ebor Festival on the Knavesmire next week with no crowds present and Frankie Dettori also being an absentee. Another of the star attractions, Enable will not appear as she takes an easier path towards her bid for a third Arc victory after her King George win last month.

The Juddmonte International may also have another small field on Wednesday as Eclipse winner Ghaiyyath heads the market, aiming to cement his position as the best middle-distance horse in training in Europe. He is one of 14 entries but the John Gosden pair Mishriff and the St James’s Palace winner Palace Pier are in action in France this weekend with Frankie Dettori going over to ride them and then facing a 14-day quarantine on his return to Britain.

The five-year-old Dubawi horse has enjoyed a faultless campaign this season – winning with ease in a Group 3 at Meydan in February before claiming top-level honours in both the Coronation Cup at Newmarket and the Coral-Eclipse back over 12 furlongs at Sandown where he took the scalp of Enable.

Charlie Appleby told the Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast on Thursday: “This year has been a great year for him, winning the Coronation and the Coral-Eclipse, and it was always our plan to head for the Juddmonte International thereafter. His preparation has gone well to date. He looks great and is giving us all the right signs.

“He had an easy piece of work (on Wednesday), and everyone was very pleased. He’ll work again on Saturday and hopefully if he ticks the box there, we’ll be all set for next Wednesday.

“He’s more of a finished article now. His post-race condition is a lot stronger this year than it has been in the past. There’s no doubt we’re talking about a different animal than we were dealing with over his two-, three- and four-year-old career.

“He’s such an extravagant galloper and great mover, and he’s delivered in the afternoons. He’s a horse we’ve had to handle with care – but where he stands now and what he’s achieved to date, he’d definitely be the best middle-distance horse I’ve ever handled.”

Aidan O’Brien still has six contenders to choose from, headed by last year’s winner Japan and Magical, unbeaten in her two runs this year. Anthony Van Dyck, Armory, Magic Wand and Sir Dragonet complete the Ballydoyle sextet.

John Gosden is set to saddle the impressive Prince of Wales’s Stakes scorer Lord North, while 2000 Guineas victor Kameko will give an indication on the merits of the three-year-olds as he moves to 10 furlongs for the first time, after finishing fourth in the Derby over a mile and a half and an unlucky fourth in the Sussex Stakes since his classic success.

Roger Charlton’s York Stakes winner Aspetar, Godolphin’s Benbatl and the Mark Johnston-trained Musidora winner Rose Of Kildare, now in the colours of Qatar Racing, complete the field.

Yorkshire Oaks

Thursday’s feature Darley Yorkshire Oaks will see Love hope to back up her two impressive classics wins and cement her position as the top three-year-old.

Although stable companion Magical is also entered, Manuela De Vega is the only other representative of the older fillies. The Oaks third Frankly Darling takes her on again, having been reported not to have acted on the track at Epsom.

One Voice. narrowly beaten in the Nassau Stakes in Goodwood, is pitched in again at the top level by Jessica Harrington.

Harrington also has two fillies entered in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes which opens the card. Sussex Gardens will have Ryan Moore on board and Dickiedooda is also engaged. Ken Condon’s Naas listed winner Miss Amulet competes an Irish trio.