Royal return for Tilt at the Ebor

THE Queen's Free Agent could return to York for the Ebor handicap, the most famous race on its calendar, following his impressive win in the Listed John Smith's Silver Cup.

By The Newsroom

Published 12th Jul 2010, 10:50 BST

Updated 12th Jul 2010, 10:50 BST

Champion jockey Ryan Moore named the race – the centrepiece of August's Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor meeting – after Free Agent outbattled Drunken Sailor by a length and a half.

"He could be an Ebor horse," remarked Moore, who indicated that the Queen's horse, who had been considered an Epsom Derby prospect last year, was back to the form that saw the Richard Hannon-trained colt win the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot two years ago.

Free Agent was a popular winner with the 41,524 spectators at York, the second-highest crowd in the course's distinguished history and only surpassed by the attendance on the corresponding day in 2007.

The biggest cheers were for the 34 soldiers of the 4th battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment who received service medals before marching in front of the stands, following their recent tour of duty in Afghanistan.