Looking ahead to day four of the Ebor Festival at York

The day includes the festival's showpiece race, the Ebor Handicap, for which William Haggas's runner Hamish is the 11-2 favourite.

Meanwhile, Sean Quinn, son of Settrington-based trainer John Quinn, has two mounts in the 3pm City of York Stakes.

Here, myracing previews two of the day's races.

Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes (Group 3), 1.50pm

This might be a Group 3 in name, but it is a lot stronger than that in nature because the median Racing Post Rating for all Group 3 winners in Britain and Ireland since 2008 is 112 and there are several in this race who are better than that, headed by Real World.

He has improved significantly for a switch to turf this season as he had not bettered an RPR of 92 in six starts on dirt and the all-weather, but has recorded figures of 113 and 120 on grass this summer. That latest effort puts him only 1lb shy of the median RPR for Group 1 winners.

This race has been used as a stepping stone to Group 1 glory in the recent past. In fact, four of the last six winners — Mondialiste (2015), Mustashry (2017), Lord Glitters (2018) and Zaaki (2019) — won at the top level here or abroad. Real World could be destined to do the same.

William Haggas, trainer of My Oberon: "I think he quite likes going fresh and he's run two good races in Group 1s so this is a drop in class, albeit it's still a good race. He's got a penalty but should run well."

Michael Dods, trainer of Brunch: "We’re stepping him up a furlong in trip after his win over a mile in a Pontefract Listed race. A bit of rain would help, and it is forecast. He deserves the opportunity to have a crack at a Group 3 now."

Oliver Cole, joint-trainer of Duke Of Hazzard: "His participation is dependent on the ground as he wants it quick. It’s been a frustrating season for him so far. He was very unlucky at Epsom, and then he rather got lost in the ground at Salisbury last time. Everything needs to fall right for him, but he’s got lots of ability and I hope he can win one of these races soon. If the rain comes he may miss bypass York and go for the Celebration Mile at Goodwood next weekend. Most of our horses want fast ground, and the rain has rather messed up things for us this summer."

Roger Varian, trainer of El Drama: "He’s in good form. The trip should suit and the track should suit. It’s a competitive race, as always, but he ticks a few boxes."

Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 2), 3pm

The sole three-year-old filly in the field, Primo Bacio, was sent to Deauville this month for the Prix Rothschild but found the race developed a little too quickly as she met with trouble in a compact field. Her prior Falmouth fifth gives her sound claims and she's well off at the weights as she drops in grade.

Dropping back to 7f should not cause an issue for her on pedigree and her fourth in the Fred Darling at the start of this campaign showcased her push-button turn of foot. However, whether she has the gears to sit close enough to the pace against speedier rivals is up for debate.

Safe Voyage ended a run of five consecutive victories for three-year-olds in this race 12 months ago and is sure to be on the premises early, alongside perennial front-runners Lord Of The Lodge, Pogo and Highland Princess.

They could set it up for a closer and Space Blues, the top-rated horse in the race and a course-and-distance winner, has a favourite's chance as he returns to quicker ground after finishing fourth in the Lennox Stakes. Last year's Maurice de Gheest winner was strongly supported into favouritism from 11-4 this week.

Sean Quinn, son of John Quinn, trainer of Safe Voyage and Highfield Princess: "Safe Voyage won a good renewal very well last year. He's in very good form but the ground is a concern and he would need rain. Highfield Princess is improving all the time, ran well from a poor draw at Goodwood and deserves to take her chance."

William Knight, trainer of Sir Busker: "He got back on track with a blinding run at Salisbury and he'll get a good pace to aim at. I'd like to see a bit of rain as otherwise seven furlongs seven furlongs on fast ground might be a bit sharp for him."