Await The Dawn promises to be York's bright light

Await The Dawn is the stable's leading light at the meeting and is a worthy favourite for the Juddmonte International Stakes.

The four-year-old is firmly under consideration for the Breeders' Cup Classic later this year and the fact he has notched five victories in six starts perhaps tells its own story.

Await The Dawn has progressed from a mile to 12 furlongs this term, most recently winning over the longer trip when pulling off something of a demolition job in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot.

Although he is dropping down two furlongs for this assignment, he has already shown some excellent form over a mile and a quarter, and O'Brien has had this race in his sights for some time.

The son of Giant's Causeway will be having his first crack at the highest level and, while he does not have much in hand on some of his top-class rivals, Await The Dawn is certainly a horse with further progression to come.

It should be a fine afternoon for the Coolmore gang, with Seville taken to do the business in the Great Voltigeur Stakes.

O'Brien's tough three-year-old has more than paid his way this term, with second-placed finishes in the Grand Prix de Paris, the Irish Derby and the Dante.

His one mishap this year was in the Epsom Derby but he would not be alone in having not shown his true form in the Classic.

With the Irish Derby form having been royally advertised at the weekend thanks to Treasure Beach's heroics, few rivals here, perhaps with the exception of Sea Moon, come close to matching Seville's profile.

A solid show at York will further galvanise his already powerful claims in next month's Ladbrokes St Leger.

Outgoing veteran Barry Hills can enjoy one last hurrah before passing on the baton to his son, Charlie, when Balty Boys contests the sportingbet.com Acomb Stakes.

The Wetherdown House team simply adore this juvenile, who blew away his opponents in a competitive Newbury maiden last month.

This is admittedly a big step up in class, but the Cape Cross colt, partly owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, remains a creature of limitless potential.

Secret Asset is certainly not that calibre of thoroughbred, but should at least give punters plenty to think about in the Symphony Group Stakes.

Jane Chapple-Hyam's sprinter turned in a fine effort in the Stewards' Cup, in which he was badly wrong at the weights, when seventh behind Hoof It.

Before that he looked rejuvenated when easily claiming quite a good handicap at Goodwood.

Secret Asset is 3lb better off than in the Stewards' Cup, and has clearly hit his stride this summer.

But of greatest importance to each-way players is that he will hopefully be available at most generous odds.

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