Dream Ebor opportunity on the horizon for Lee

The race, ran on atrocious going at flood-hit Newcastle, was won by the Donald McCain-trained Ile De Re.

The promising hurdler looked shattered after adding the prestigious Plate to his Chester Cup triumph under Jim Crowley who, ironically, learned his trade at the NH yard of Bingley’s Sue Smith.

However, Icon Dream’s trainer Jim Goldie, who has struck up an effective partnership with Bedale-based Lee since the jockey quit jump racing, believes the Ebor will be ideal for his 20,000 euro purchase who was running for the first time in 11 months.

“He’s a bit tired, but you would expect that,” said Goldie. “He travelled very well and we’ll probably look at the Ebor with him now.

“Going back to a mile and six (furlongs) should suit him. He has that bit of class.”

Another former jump jockey excelling on the Flat is David O’Meara, a trainer of immense promise who could be triple-handed in the 53rd John Smith’s Cup at York on July 14 with Smarty Socks, War Poet and Classic Colori all entered.

Meanwhile, trainer John Gosden and jockey William Buick’s golden run continued when Izzi Top, victorious in York’s Middleton Stakes, won the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland yesterday.

Both will also be hoping that Michelangelo, a Newmarket winner on Saturday, will continue their recent domination of the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster.

This is a horse slowly fulfilling its potential.

The one to beat will, however, be Aidan O’Brien’s Triple Crown-seeking Camelot.

The 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby winner overcame attritional going at The Curragh to land the Irish Derby under the trainer’s teenage son Joseph.

“He’s by far the best we’ve had – we’ve never had anything like this.

“He had the speed to win the Guineas, the class to win the Derby and then he had to have class, courage and stamina to win today,” said O’Brien senior. “Obviously the lads will speak about the Triple Crown now, wouldn’t it be something to dream about?”

Jockey Paul Hanagan’s defence of his Flat title could be over after a horrific fall at Newmarket.

Fortunate to escape with just bruising, he will be sidelined until the weekend.