Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle runs the rule on day one of York’s Ebor Festival on Wednesday, featuring the eagerly awaited clash between Ombudsman and Constitution River.

Aidan set for 8th success in mouthwatering Juddmonte

The remarkably versatile Ombudsman will be tough to deny in the £1.5m Juddmonte International Stakes (3.35), a stunning highlight on day one of the Ebor Festival at York on Wednesday.

John and Thady Gosden’s five-year-old has added the Group 1 Dubai Turf in Meydan and the Prince of Wales’ Stakes at Royal Ascot to his illustrious CV since taking this race in such spectacular style 12 months ago.

However, Aidan O’Brien’s CONSTITUTION RIVER is something very special as he proved in the French Derby and the Coral-Eclipse and can come of age against his older rival in what promises to be an epic duel.

Two years younger and benefiting from that 7lb allowance, the son of Wootton Bassett hasn’t yet reached his peak and is adaptable enough to lower the colours of Godolphin’s superstar in what looks certain to be another tactical renewal.

Juddmonte’s representative Item has proven his liking for this track with wins at Group 2 level in the Dante and the York Stakes but despite being only 2lb behind Constitution River on official ratings, needs to dig much deeper to usurp the main two.

Cross ready to stake Classic claim

MALTESE CROSS can stake his claim for the 250th running of the St Leger with a big performance in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (3.00) at York – a traditional trial for next month’s final Classic.

My husband Tom (Marquand) is rightfully hopeful he can avenge his Derby defeat by Christmas Day in this 1m4f Group 2 after a hard-fought success in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris last month.

He’d have been an unlucky loser that day after overcoming all sorts of problems in running and should enjoy this galloping test on a sound surface on The Knavesmire before stepping up in trip at Doncaster.

Christmas Day couldn’t repeat his Epsom heroics in the Irish Derby when his stablemate Pierre Bonnard finished only a neck behind him. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see that lovely colt emerge as the main Ballydoyle threat to Maltese Cross.

Haffner to frank strong Goodwood form

HAFFNER is the one they all have to beat in the Group 3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (2.25) at York despite finding one too good in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.

Aidan O’Brien’s colt, who had previously won a Newmarket maiden, emerged with plenty of credit behind the unbeaten Dr Rascal on the Downs and has much less to prove than his rivals over this 7f.

If he under-performs, Ed Walker’s talented colt Alfred Wallace could be the one to take advantage. The son of top-class race mare Snow Lantern gained a deserved success in a Listed contest at Ascot last time and can find the necessary improvement to go well in this better grade.

Madera can avenge unlucky run in Stewards’ Cup

The big sprint handicaps at York are notoriously difficult to solve but I can make a strong case for TOCA MADERA in the opening Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap (1.50).

David O’Meara’s gelding would have gone much closer in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood with a clear run and has been given the chance to gain compensation off an unchanged mark with stable jockey Danny Tudhope back on board.

I’m pleased to see him drawn low in stall four as I think that’s the best place to be on the straight track, which we know plays to the strengths of the well supported The Man. Richard Spencer’s runner was second in this last year but was well behind Toca Madera at Goodwood last month.

A better alternative at a bigger price may be Lemos de Souza’s gelding Naana’s Sparkle who finished in front of them both in that Goodwood sprint and will hopefully get a good tow into the race from his middle draw at rewarding odds.

Big chance for unlucky Small Fry

I nominated SMALL FRY as my ‘Hot Shot’ in this blog after his luckless run at the Goodwood Festival so won’t be forsaking him in the Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (4.10) at York.

Joseph O’Brien’s gelding got shuffled back at an important stage of the valuable Summer Handicap but still powered home to be a close second over 1m6f and can gain compensation despite a 4lb rise.

The step up to 2m can only be a positive for Joseph’s son of Harzand who stays well and for the first time has the assistance of Ireland’s champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Andrew Balding’s Shrimp Shady is becoming quite a force in top staying handicaps so don’t rule him out either. He was second at the Shergar Cup after landing a big pot at Newbury at the expense of the likeable Team Player and will enjoy the test ahead of him on The Knavesmire.

Sitting down with Harry Maguire for one of his first interviews of the season, I found a player who was reflective but also excited about the future and what’s to come.

Maguire is going into his eighth season at Manchester United and has experienced almost every emotion during his time at the club, like the short highs under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the polarising Erik ten Hag period or the ultimately tumultuous time of Ruben Amorim.

However, despite the collective or individual woes over the years, Maguire remains and revels every time in his importance to this squad – which perhaps makes the journey even sweeter.

“To play for this club for one would have been a dream come true when I was a young kid, so to be here going into my eighth season, it’s something I’m really proud of,” Maguire said.

“It’s not about me, but at this stage of my career, I want to be part of a successful team and a team that wins. That’s got to be the aim for all the boys this season – we want to be competitive right until the end of the season in every competition.”

So with days to go ahead of the 2026/27 season, that is the question – can this Manchester United team compete for the title amongst a league full of change?

Maguire reflected: “We want to improve on last season. Everyone wants to win the Premier League, of course that is going to be our aim, that’s what this club demands. We have the belief we can be really competitive and we can beat anyone on our day. It’s going to be an exciting season.”

‘No doubt this team is different under Carrick’

Having spent a few days around the team in Dublin last week, it is clear there is a comradery and closeness.

It would perhaps be a valid argument that the resetting of the Man Utd changing room culture goes back to Amorim, but nevertheless the squad are benefitting from that having had a successful first six-month spell under Michael Carrick.

For Maguire, he has seen different iterations of Manchester United over the years and he agreed to the notion this squad in particular shares a tight bond.

“During my time at the club, we’ve had some close groups – no doubt this is one of the closest,” Maguire said. “Spending time together and winning football matches brings teams closer.

“Losing that Europa League final, finishing 15th to finishing third and putting the club back in the Champions League, it was a good season but we can’t stop here.”

There is a certain determination and steel in which Maguire speaks. It could be down to maximising the final years of his career or it could be because he feels the club are close to achieving more silverware.

However, it seems unlikely Man Utd can do that without further reinforcements in the transfer window. It is clear they are short at left-back and arguably in midfield with Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte both injured.

Maguire said: “I’m at an age now where they can bring in as many players as they want, bring in all the best players… I want to win all the trophies and be greedy about it, but it’s up to the club.

“I’m sure they’re working hard out there to try and bring in the right players, the more the merrier. The stronger the squad, the more opportunity we have of winning these trophies and that’s what it’s all about when you play for this club.”

I’m at an age now where they can bring in as many players as they want, bring in all the best players… I want to win all the trophies and be greedy about it, but it’s up to the club.

The future with Heaven and Yoro at the heart of it

Maguire’s role in the team has undoubtedly changed. When he joined the club in 2019 for £80m from Leicester City, he was the second most expensive signing in English top-flight history.

Although he is still a key part of Carrick’s defence at 33, his role now also involves nurturing the defenders in waiting to one day take his spot.

Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro have both shown huge potential over the last 18 months or so and their time will undoubtedly come, as well as 18-year-old Dan Armer, who has been dubbed by fans on social media as a ‘mini Maguire’ – a reference Maguire smiles at when I mention him.

He enjoys playing a part in mentoring them along the way, adding: “I think that comes quite naturally to me, I want them to have amazing careers.

“Hopefully in five or six years’ time, Leny, Ayden and Dan are fighting it out and playing together in this team – that’s all I want. They have the attributes and qualities to do that.

“They’re young, but they’re learning the game under the biggest scrutiny and analysis anyone can imagine and they’re only going to get stronger.

“Hopefully one day they’re the main two centre-half partnership at this club and they’re winning the biggest trophies. Hopefully they’re the strongest partnership in world football – that’s what they’ve got to aim to do.”

Returning England Test skipper Joe Root says he feels “as ready as any other England captain”, adding he has no plans on “ripping up” the Bazball blueprint that preceded his second stint in charge.

Root has captained England on a record 65 occasions, his first permanent spell from 2017 to 2022 ending with a run of just one win in 17 Tests before Ben Stokes took over in step with head coach Brendon McCullum.

But, after an impressive first couple of years to the Bazball era, the 2-1 series defeat to New Zealand earlier this summer saw Stokes retire from international cricket during the final Test and subsequently prompted McCullum’s removal as red-ball head coach.

“I don’t think there’s a huge amount we need to change. It’s small things that will make a big difference,” Root said ahead of the three-Test series against Pakistan, which starts on Wednesday at Headingley – live on Sky Sports Cricket, from 10am (first ball 11am).

“It’s not about ripping it up, I think it’s about keeping a lot of the good stuff we’ve been doing for a period of time, stuff that Ben and Baz built for a long while.

“I don’t believe there is one way of playing Test cricket. You’ve got to be adaptable and play the situation. It’s never the same throughout five days, there’s different challenges and you’ve got to adjust to the ebbs and flows throughout.”

As for his own readiness to return to the captaincy, the 35-year-old made it clear he was fully prepared to embrace the challenge one more time.

“The landscape is different,” he said. “I’m a different player and person than I was when I [first] took over as captain.

“I’m in a very fortunate, unique position where I’ve got 60-odd games of experience to look back on. There are things I might want to change and do slightly differently.

“I had time to step away, play in a different environment, under a different coach, different captain, and see the game from a different lens.

“In many ways I feel as ready as any other England captain that’s been before; to have that amount of experience is invaluable.”

He added: “I’m really excited. And to get the chance to start at Headingley as well is always nice, my home ground.

“It’s a very talented group of players that are very capable of special things. I’m really excited about where we can take this team.”

‘Hugely supportive’ Brook to remain vice-captain

White-ball skipper Harry Brook, despite serving as Test vice-captain, was overlooked in favour of Root to lead England in Stokes’ absence for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, as well as for the permanent job upon his international retirement.

Root confirmed Brook will continue in the role as No 2 in the Test team and insisted the pair’s bond remains strong.

“Our relationship is exactly as it has been for a long time,” he said. “Me and Harry are very good friends and get along well away from cricket, and clearly get the best out of each other when playing together.

“He’s been hugely supportive. I fully feel like he’s got my back, as the rest of the guys do. He’s going to be invaluable.

“He’s done some brilliant things already within the white-ball space. He’s a brilliant leader within the group and the fact he’s not captain, that shouldn’t be taken away from him.”

As for life without Stokes, Root added: “It’s a big void to fill. He’s someone who has been ever present for the best part of 15 years.

“It’s been different, but we’ve only been together as a full team for a day and a half.”

And quizzed on whether he could yet return to the side, with a home Ashes series on the horizon in 2027, Root said: “Who knows? That’s a question for Ben.

“We need to look after the here and now, and that’s this series.”

Pakistan captain Babar injured for Headingley

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the series opener against England due to a finger injury, with Salman Ali Agha taking temporary charge at Headingley.

Babar was initially struck on the right hand when facing the West Indies earlier this month, before he then received another blow from England Under-19 seamer Manny Lumsden in a tour match at Beckenham last week. He retired hurt in what was described at the time as a “precautionary measure”.

The tourists were keen to give him time to recover but, while he has been cleared of a broken middle finger, he has not been cleared to lead his side at Headingley despite working through a brief net session.

“Babar Azam is not available, Salman will be captain,” head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said on Tuesday.

“It’s not broken, there is a little bit of swelling on the finger. Hopefully he will be available for the second Test match.”

Babar’s absence robs Pakistan not only of their leader but one of their most talented batters, with nine Test hundreds to his name and a Test average of 43.68. Saud Shakeel is expected to be drafted into the XI after sitting out the West Indies series.

‘Relaxed Root looks up for the challenge’

Sky Sports News reporter James Cole:

“It’s old shoes for Joe Root; he’s got all the experience behind him and he seemed relaxed.

“He is, it’s fair to say, inheriting a big rebuilding job. England have lost seven of their last 10 Tests, they’ve lost their head coach Brendon McCullum and their captain Ben Stokes, who had been such a mainstay of the Test team for so long and led such a unique, attacking brand of cricket called Bazball.

“As well as losing Stokes from the middle order, who was the glue and provided balance between the batting and bowling, they’ve got an opener Emilio Gay who has played just three Test and who is out of nick at the moment, and a rookie at number three in Jordan Cox, who has only batted there once before.

“In place of the talismanic Stokes, Dan Lawrence comes back in and offers a spinning all-rounder option, but he hasn’t played a Test in two years.

“It’s fair to say Root has got a lot on his hands, but he’s up for the challenge.”

Watch day one of the first Test between England and Pakistan, at Headingley, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10.15am on Wednesday (11am first ball). Stream cricket and more sport contract-free with NOW.

England vs Pakistan Test series fixtures

• First Test (Headingley) – Wednesday August 19 – Sunday August 23 (first ball 11am)
• Second Test (Lord’s) – Thursday August 27 – Monday August 31 (first ball 11am)
• Third Test (Edgbaston) – Wednesday September 9 – Sunday September 13 (first ball 11am)