THE market has spoken in favour of Willie Mullins’ chances in the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap and the man himself doesn’t disagree with his chances of landing the £500,000 contest for the third time.

Hipop De Loire, who suffered a luckless passage in fifth last year, currently heads the betting and Mullins reports the Stawomir Pegza-owned eight-year-old to be in fine fettle following his impressive maiden hurdle win at Galway.

“Hipop seems to be in great form,” Mullins told The Irish Field. “He had a good run in Galway, and that’s what he did last year, before he went there and he ran a cracker. We think it has left him pitch perfect for tomorrow.

“I’m happy that he’ll go on the ground and get the trip. Everything seems to be right, provided he has improved a little bit, because I think he’s gone up about 3lb in the handicap since last year. It all depends on getting a clear run.”

Colin Keane is booked for Hipop De Loire, while William Buick gets the leg up on current second favourite, Ethical Diamond. The Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes victor carries the colours of the HOS Syndicate, as did the 2023 Ebor winner, Absurde, who broke from stall 24.

On his patiently-ridden charge, Mullins said: “Ethical Diamond is drawn 21, which is not a bad draw; a lot of horses have won from the outside in recent years, however, riding him the way we rode him in Ascot might be difficult getting cover out there. But hopefully he learned a lot in Ascot, and will put that to good use. I think the trip and the ground will also suit him.”

Completing Closutton’s challenge is the bigger-priced Charlus, who will be partnered by Jamie Spencer in the colours of The Why Knot Partnership. Recruited from the flat in France, the four-year-old was last seen finishing third at Ballybritt.

“We were surprised to get in,” Mullins said regarding Charlus. “We were 28th in the ballot and needed 28 horses to come out, so we never dreamt he was going to get in. However, I think he ran a lot better in Galway than his finishing position suggests, so someone looking for good each-way type, I think he has that.”