THERE is nothing the York crowd love more than a local victory at the Ebor Festival and they can be granted their dish on the opening day of the meeting courtesy of Middleham based Bijou d'Inde in the Group One Juddmonte International Stakes.
Of course, for Mark Johnston's charge to please the locals he first of all has to gun down current champion Halling whose performance in last year's running of this £200,000 added showpiece took the breath away.
Cruising up on the bridle two furlongs out, Halling swept past early leader Needle Gun before cruising to a three and a half length verdict over Bahri.
That victory came after a similar success in the Coral Eclipse and a similar path has been taken this season by the Godolphin trained horse who after disappointing on dirt behind Cigar in the Dubai World Cup bounced back to land the four runner Prix d'Ispahan before a repeat success in the big Sandown race.
Runner up to Halling in the Eclipse was Bijou d'Inde, who failed by a neck to peg back his rival.
Prior to that, the Cadeaux Genereux colt had made all to win a thrilling St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, making up for his disappointing run behind Spinning World in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
Fancied at the Curragh following his very close third to Mark Of Esteem in the English version, Bijou d'Inde reportedly had foot problems prior to the race.
There are no such worries tomorrow and Johnston reports the colt to have worked exceptionally well at home recently in preparation for what he describes as real gloves off stuff, "No frills. No hype. No razzamatazz."
This will be the 25th running of this great race. The roll of honour, has included such racing luminaries as Roberto, Dahlia, Troy, Triptych and Rodrigo de Triano.
Bijou d'Inde can deny Halling this chance of the double, Eclipse International double and add his name to the list and a place in Yorkshire racing legend.
Another Yorkshire trainer, Malton's Jimmy FitzGerald, can get the Tykes off to the perfect start by saddling Symonds Inn to land the opening Deploy Acomb Conditions Stakes.
A half brother to two previous winners, this In The Wings colt made a pleasing start to his career when third to Irish Accord in a six furlong Pontefract maiden earlier this month.
After running green early on, Symonds Inn got the hang of things at the business end and suggested a step up in trip would not go amiss.
He gets that today and can pull off what some may see as a surprise against rivals from the more illustrious southern yards.
Mark Tompkins' Newmarket yard is really firing at present and Even Top looks the pick in the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes.
Tompkins has chosen this event rather than the International for the 2,000 Guineas runner up and the hint should be taken about the colt who only finished 13th in the Vodafone Derby despite being sent off the 11 to 2 second favourite.
However, it transpired he was struck into suffering a nasty gash on that occasion and can make some amends today.
