William Haggas eyes Ebor with Jorvik winner Klassleader

William Haggas has more than one eye on the Ebor with Klassleader following his victory in the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap at York.

The Lope De Vega colt justified 15-8 favouritism under Tom Marquand when running out a comfortable two and three-quarter length winner which guarantees him a run in the big handicap at the course later this year.

Haggas will delight in getting off the mark in just the second race of the Dante meeting with a live Ebor contender, for which he is currently a 10-1 chance with sponsors Sky Bet.

This meeting makes for a common hunting ground for locally-born Haggas and Klassleader arrived off the back of a good handicap debut when second at Haydock in September and reversed the form with the winner of that race, Sing Us A Song. Though dropping back in distance, his trainer holds no doubts about his stamina.

“He will stay the Ebor trip and he is qualified now,” said Haggas.

“You would be a brave man not to run him again beforehand, but I won’t. It’s probably the sensible thing to do because he’s won off 90, if he goes up 5lb to 95, he wouldn’t get in the Ebor off 95 normally but he is guaranteed a run.

“It’s very nice ground and if you listen down by the rail as they go past it’s not squelchy, it is firm with a bit of water on the top. Once the rain gets chance to get in, it will be lovely ground.

“Everyone wants to win here and when you’re a Yorkshire-born trainer it is nice to win here.”