They were two of the most noteworthy absentees along with Sir Michael Stoute’s Sugar Ray and the John Queally-trained Al Eile.

Cumani said: “They’re both fine but they just won’t like the ground as testing as it will be on Wednesday. They’re not soft-ground horses.”

Mad Rush has been one of the leading lights in the betting for Europe’s richest handicap since his convincing success in the ultra-competitive Old Newton Cup at Haydock last month.

The four-year-old was a four-length winner over Young Mick on easy ground that day but Mad Rush will be on 9lb worse terms at York.

“He’s a big, strong horse and he’s won on soft ground before, so let’s hope he can handle it on Wednesday,” said Cumani.

“It is a big ask (from top weight) and he does have to give quite a bit of weight to Young Mick but everything is a worry when you’re taking on 19 others horses.”

The Henry Cecil-trained Ajaan has also been well supported as he has already shown he can handle easy ground when winning at Newmarket earlier in the year.

“The distance should suit him, as should the ground conditions,” said Alan Cooper, racing manager to owners the Niarchos Family.

“Obviously it’s one of the most competitive races of its type of the year and we’ll just have to see how much luck we get.

“We went a bit too far in trip with him at Ascot and things don’t go quite right the next time at Sandown, but conditions look right for a good run - although this is one of the toughest handicaps.”

Sir Mark Prescott’s Wicked Daze and George Margarson’s Young Mick, who finished third two years ago, are also well fancied and the sponsors would prefer if neither of the pair came out on top.

Totesport spokesman Damian Walker said: “Our worst two ante-post results are 8-1 chances Young Mick and Wicked Daze, but Young Mick has shown his best form on fast ground, while Wicked Daze has yet to race on anything softer than good ground.

“Ante-post punters have no going worries about Mad Rush, who showed he relishes soft ground when an easy winner of the Old Newton Cup and we have cut his odds to 5-1 from 7-1.

“He was our 10-1 favourite when we opened betting on the race on July 14 and looks certain to start favourite on the day.

“Henry Cecil’s Ajaan is another soft-ground performer who has been clipped in our betting and he is 10-1 from 14-1, having been available at 20-1 last week.”

Totesport Ebor

Sponsors bet: 5-1 Mad Rush, 8-1 Milne Graden, Wicked Daze, Young Mick, 10-1 Ajaan, Pippa Greene, 12-1 Hindu Kush, Minkowski, 14-1 Bogside Theatre, 16-1 Formax, Gee Dee Nen, Salute Him, Tropical Strait, 20-1 bar.