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  • York Ebor Festival 2024 | Day Four Selections

    York Ebor Festival 2024 | Day Four Selections

    Racing heads to God’s Own Country as York hosts the prestigious Ebor Festival. Day four is jam packed with handicaps, including both the Melrose and the £500,000 Ebor handicap, the richest in the country. Who will see their name printed on a ticket to Melbourne t around 3:30, and what about the others. Find out below.

     

    Big Race View

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    The Ebor handicap is the big race of the day and there are plenty of factors and fancies in this race, so I’ve managed to whittle it down to about three. Criteria for me is performed on good-to-firm ground, won over a mile and four and at least raced over a mile and six, the trip for the Ebor.

    Magical Zoe could follow in Absurde’s footsteps by competing and winning in the two different racing classes. Known for her efforts behind Ebor winner Absurde in the County Hurdle, she won over a mile and five breaking her flat maiden. She then competed in a Group three at Fairyhouse, finishing a respectable third. Her mark is in the hundreds, and she has the shortest route around coming out of stall one.

    Fairbanks was a narrow loser at Glorious Goodwood, but comes into this handicap two pounds well-in, which is a huge advantage. Not only has he won over a mile and four, but has done it over a mile and six and proved that firm ground is suitable for him last time out. However, he’ll have to overcome a wide-ish draw to win.

    Naqeeb has been looking to build for this race. After below-par group efforts, he put in a good performance at Goodwood over two miles. As a three-year-old he won over 14 furlongs at Haydock, so he’s no novice to this kind of distance. And last time out also proved he can cope with conditions too.

    Big Race Bet: Ebor Handicap (Heritage H’cap) – Magical Zoe @ 10/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Unibet), Fairbanks e/w @ 12/1 (General), Naqeeb e/w @ 12/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)

     

    Juvenile Jotter

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    Not top of the card, but the Julia Graves Roses Stakes is a hot little contest with form to watch out for.

    Despite Big Mojo’s fourth (blame the draw), Celandine has backed up the form for Mr Lightside. Clearly bred to sprint, he has to overcome stall 13 which is a negative. But with two-year-old races, they don’t often follow the form of the older horses and maybe Mr Lightside’s speed will get the better of the field.

    Juvenile Jotter Bet: Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed) – Mr Lightside @ 11/4 (BetVictor)

     

    Handy Handicap Guide

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    For this handy handicap I’m looking at the Constantine handicap, the newest heritage handicap on the calendar.

    Summerghand is looking for a third victory in the race, and he isn’t without a shout even if he has been below par in the majority of his races this season. Maybe a heartfelt wager would be suitable.

    But Elmonjed has pretty much everything going for him in the race. He is drawn in stall two, where the bias has been all week. Can handle the firm conditions and finished third in the Macmillan Sprint earlier this season. On top of that he’s only been raised three pounds for his latest win at Windsor and has risen one pound throughout his three-year-old career, after dipping into the eighties. A clear improver and a favourite worth backing.

    Handy Handicap Bet: Constantine Handicap (Hertiage H’cap) – Elmonjed @ 11/2 (General), Summerghand e/w @ 9/1 (William Hill)

     

    Selections:

    13:50 – Strensall Stakes (Group Three) – See The Fire @ 5/2 (William Hill), T/Cast: See The Fire, Alyanaabi, Phantom Flight
    14:25 – Melrose Handicap (Heritage H’cap) – Spaceport e/w @ 16/1 (General), Going Remote e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill), Mo Ghille Mar e/w @ 25/1 (General)
    15:00 – City Of York Stakes (Group Two) – Audience @ 11/8 (William Hill), F/Cast: Audience, Lake Forest
    15:35 – Ebor Handicap (Heritage H’cap) – Magical Zoe @ 10/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Unibet), Fairbanks e/w @ 12/1 (General), Naqeeb e/w @ 12/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)
    16:10 – Constantine Handicap (Hertiage H’cap) – Elmonjed @ 11/2 (General), Summerghand e/w @ 9/1 (William Hill), Harry Three e/w @ 18/1 (William Hill)
    16:45 – Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed) – Mr Lightside @ 11/4 (BetVictor)
    17:20 – Finale Handicap (Heritage H’cap) – Ron O @ 7/1 (William Hill), Oviedo e/w @ 17/2 (William Hill), Chasing Aphrodite e/w @ 18/1 (William Hill)

    Best of Luck!

  • York Ebor Festival 2024 | Day Three Selections

    York Ebor Festival 2024 | Day Three Selections

    Racing heads to God’s Own County as York hosts the prestigious Ebor Festival. Day Three is all about the Nunthorpe Stakes. It’s Big Evs vs Asfoora for the third time this season. Who’s going to come out on top? Find out with selections for all seven races below.

     

    Big Race View

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    This looks to be a two horse race once again between Britain and Australia. It’s 1-1, so who will come out on top this time?

    As ever the draw is key. And this year far side runners, or low numbers, are preferred. This means that Asfoora has a big advantage over Big Evs who’s drawn one form the stand side rail. With the rain coming, does that suit Big Evs a little, I think not. However, they should run out a belting finish

    Out of the others Starlust has particular appeal to me, given that his record at York is near perfect (211). Asking him to repeat his wins this season at Group One level might be too much. But he should run on for a place.

    Big Race Bet: Nunthorpe Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Asfoora @ 13/8 (William Hill), Starlust e/w @ 16/1 (Boylesports). Asfoora/Big Evs – F/cast. Asfoora/BigEvs/Starlust – T/cast

     

    Juvenile Jotter

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    Once again this looks another tight York two-year-old contest, but a Goodwood one-two-three should be the form to follow. Winners of this race have come from the Glorious meeting, which is often the form to follow in the Gimcrack.

    Big Mojo was getting closed down by Aesterius in the final furlong at Goodwood. But, I’m adamant when I watch the race again he should hang on for the extra furlong. He steps up to the extra furlong today, he should be able to deliver on his big promise from Goodwood.

    Billboard Star has a lot on his side too. His form from Newmarket has been backed up by Whistlejacket in the Prix Morny and Aomori City at Goodwood. That second came on good-to-soft ground and he should finish for a place on that basis.

    Cool Hoof Luke finished ahead of Billboard City in the Vintage Stakes and should take liking to good ground, and all ground, if going on sires form. This looks to be the race of future sires and expect it to be competitive, with plenty of value on offer.

    Juvenile Jotter Bet: Gimcrack Stakes (Group Two) – Big Mojo @ 7/2 (William Hill, Unibet), Billboard Star e/w @ 18/1 (888Sport, Boylesports), Cool Hoof Luke e/w @ 20/1 (General)

     

    Handy Handicap Guide

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    We’re taking a look at the fifth race on the card, the mile-and-a-quarter Fillies’ Handicap, where there’s definitely value to get stuck into.

    Albeit, it’s with the favourite, but Power Of Destiny should not be up a solitary pound for finishing within a head last time out at Windsor. Ground-wise he should be able to go on anything good to good-to-firm, which should be the ground reading by about 12:30 in the afternoon. One pound plus a consistent debut season should not go ignored.

    Neither should Bint Al Daar, becasue she finished second to Karmology in her one but previous start. Who, if it wasn’t for Scenic, would have finished much closer in the Galtres Stakes. As it happens, she went and won her race at Wolverhampton for team East and is only up four pounds for the run. She should have ability to run all grounds if that win is to go by.

    Handy Handicap Bet: York EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Hertiage H’cap) – Power Of Destiny @ 5/1 (General), Bint Al Daar e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill)

     

    Selections:

    13:50 – Sky Bet Heritage Handicap – Lieber Power @ 8/1 (William Hill, Betfred, Boylesports), Track Of Time e/w @ 40/1 (William Hill, Boylepsorts)
    14:25 – Lonsdale Cup (Group Two) – Quickthorn @ 12/1 (General), Quicktorn/Point Lonsdale/Vauban – T/cast
    15:00 – Gimcrack Stakes (Group Two) – Big Mojo @ 7/2 (William Hill, Unibet), Billboard Star e/w @ 18/1 (888Sport, Boylesports), Cool Hoof Luke e/w @ 20/1 (General)
    15:35 – Nunthorpe Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Asfoora @ 13/8 (William Hill), Starlust e/w @ 16/1 (Boylesports). Asfoora/Big Evs – F/cast. Asfoora/BigEvs/Starlust – T/cast
    16:10 – EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Hertiage H’cap) – Power Of Destiny @ 5/1 (General), Sound Angela e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill, Unibet), Bint Al Daar e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill)
    16:45 – Convivial Maiden – Ultrasoul @ 9/2 (William Hill, Unibet), Arabian Angel e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Unibet), Bowen Island e/w @ 33/1 (William Hill)
    17:20 – Mile Handicap (Heritage H’cap) – Dosman @ 9/2 (General), Mount Teide e/w @ 7/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Unibet), Tokenomics e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill)

    Best of Luck!

  • Ebor Festival 2024 | Day Two Selections

    Ebor Festival 2024 | Day Two Selections

    Racing heads to God’s Own County as York hosts the prestigious Ebor Festival. Day Two is full of mouth-watering contests, including the Yorkshire Oaks which sees an open field, including a progressive three-year-old, the one-two from the Irish Oaks and a fans favourite. Who come out on top? Find out with selections for all seven races below.

     

    Big Race View

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    This is a very open renewal of the Yorkshire Oaks, with no definite favourite and plenty of horses with support.

    Queen Of The Pride has excelled this season. She cut her teeth at Haydock by winning the Lester Piggott Stakes narrowly in June and scorched clear of another improving horse, Tiffany, in the Lancashire Oaks. The long straight suits her, but firm ground is an area she hasn’t covered before and could be her Achilles heel.

    Content has been another progressive horse this season. She was the best three-year-old in the Pretty Polly Stakes, then was denied a clear run in the Irish Oaks but rallied well to finish second. However, it looks like she wants rain having raced on fast ground three times and never won.

    You Got To Me may have been a surprise winner of the Irish Oaks, but she held on well and has a little boost from Royal Ascot too. The firm ground should suit her front-running style, but front runners aren’t usually favoured at York, yet Ryan Moore judged City Of Troy’s ride from the front perfectly yesterday.

    Or can Kieran Shoemark finally break his big race curse and deliver Emily Upjohn for the Yorkshire Oaks. She has been disappointing, barring her terrific run in the Pretty Polly. But I favour the three-year-olds more.

    Out of the four top names mentioned, Content is the pick. With a clearer run she should have caught You Got To Me at The Curragh. That’s not to say she’ll face a big fight from a lot of rivals, but she looks a tough horse.

    Big Race Bet: Yorkshire Oaks (GROUP ONE) – Content @ 3/1 (General), You Got To Me e/w @ 9/2 (General) – F/CAST

     

    Juvenile Jotter

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    This looks a tight contest for the fillies. Plenty of angles from a mixture of races make it hard to find the right form race to follow. The history of this race also varies with no one path being the right one. However, those bred by sprinters seem to be the ones who come out on top.

    In which case Miss Lamai makes sense. She has two wins to her name and has some Listed form to her name too. Bred by Mehmas, she is a future group sprinter and the step up to six won’t bother her at all. Karl Burke also has a good record in the Lowther, winning it twice since 2019.

    Juvenile Jotter Bet: Lowther Stakes (Group Two) – Miss Lamai @ 8/1 (William Hill)

     

    Handy Handicap Guide

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    The Clipper Handicap is often very volatile. Very few at the top of the market win this race and we’ve been treated to a few shocks in recent years. 40/1 Ropey Guest last year and 28/1 Cruyff Turn in 2021 hammer home that there is potential throughout the market.

    Two grab attention for me. James McHenry has had a consistent season with a win and two seconds, including losing to La Trinidad at Thirsk last time out. He remains on the same mark whilst La Trinidad suffers with a penalty. He also has won on firm ground which is a big plus and steps up into the big handicap company with a workable weight.

    Metal Merchant started his season with a win in the Spring Cup but has fallen under the radar in requisite runs. However, he’s been dropped a pound for finishing a length behind in the International Stakes at Ascot in fourth and also comes into the race two pounds well-in. Signs look postitive for this York racecourse debutant.

    Handy Handicap Bet: Clipper Handicap (Hertiage H’cap) – James McHenry e/w @ 11/1 (General), Metal Merchant e/w @ 12/1 (William Hill)

     

    Selections:

    13:50 – Lowther Stakes (Group Two) – Miss Lamai @ 8/1 (William Hill), Tales Of The Heart e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill)
    14:25 – Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes – An Outlaw’s Grace @ 4/1 (William Hill), Territorial Knight e/w @ 11/1 (William Hill), Sensorium e/w @ 22/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Unibet)
    15:00 – Clipper Handicap (Hertiage H’cap) – James McHenry e/w @ 11/1 (General), Metal Merchant e/w @ 12/1 (William Hill)
    15:35 – Yorkshire Oaks (GROUP ONE) – Content @ 3/1 (General), You Got To Me e/w @ 9/2 (General) – F/CAST
    16:10 – Galtres Stakes (Listed) – Sea Just In Time @ 9/4 (William Hill, Unibet)
    16:45 – EBF Nursery – Spell Master @ 7/1 (William Hill), Original Outlaw e/w @ 13/2, Hot Property e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill)
    17:20 – British EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Heritage H’cap) – Alfa Kenellic @ 8/1 (William Hill), Sunfall e/w @ 11/1 (General), Queen Of Mougins e/w @ 12/1 (William Hill)

    Best of Luck!

  • York Ebor Festival Day Four: Selections and Naps

    York Ebor Festival Day Four: Selections and Naps

    Some big winners yesterday, with Marhaba The Champ and Coltrane in the first two races. Highfield Princess just couldn’t catch Live In The Dream, and the gamble failed on Kevin Ryan’s two-year-old. But today’s a new day, and we aim to end on a high. Some interesting handicaps, plus the returns of Kinross in the City Of York Stakes.

     

    A Frankie Flourish

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    NAP: City Of York Stakes (Group Two) – Kinross @ 2/1 (BetVictor)

    Kinross is starting to get into the swing of things once again. That Lennox Stakes win proved that he is the best top-class seven furlong specialist, even if Isaac Shelby posed a threat. But last year he produced his most eye-catching win on the Knavesmire before snaffling Europe’s big prizes over 1400 metres. Trainer Ralph Beckett has said that he suits York, and the similar firm conditions won’t be a problem, much like last year. It will be a perfect send-off for one Llanfranco Dettori at one of his favourite meetings, aboard, surely, one of his favourite horses.

     

    From South To North

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    E/W Bet: Strensall Stakes (Group Three) – Chichester @ 33/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports)

    Nostrum is the pick, but Chichester is intriguing. Trawling through the form of each of the six runners that enjoys the firmer ground, with three wins on it in his career. And with some handicappers coming into the race, Chichester can improve on his Listed win over C&D in June, when winning by almost two lengths. He has the Group form and the ground and he could sneak a surprise second, not the first at York this week.

     

    Going for Hat Trick Gold

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    Handicap Best: Constantine H’cap (Heritage) – Aberama Gold @ 8/1 (General)

    Six furlong sprints are what it’s all about at York. And Aberama Gold knows all about it. In a breakout year he’s won a class two handicap by a neck, and then the Stewards’ Cup. Manila Scouse has backed up the form twice, disappointing earlier in the week however, and has claimer on board to take the heavy five pound rise in the weights down to a mere two. There has been no bias in the draw, if slightly mid-to-high, and can do the business of the rail from stall one.

    The Green Man finished third to Aberama Gold at York a month ago and has been kept fresh for the race by trainer Joseph Parr. A winner on firm ground lower down in the classes, he produced a career best with Danny Muscett on board to finish within two lengths of the winner. With the form backed up, and a five pound claimer who knows the horse well, expect the green man to cross the line in the places at 10/1 (General)

    And spare a thought for Anthem National who pulled out of the Great St. Wilfrid due to the soft ground. But at least we know he should get the ground here. Second last time out to Commanche Falls, who followed up again at Newbury, he shouldn’t be discounted just because he’s running for Philip Kirby for the first time. He can outrun his odds at 28/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)

     

    Selections:

    13:50 – Strensall Stakes (Group Three) – Nostrum @ 11/10 (Betfred), Chichester (E/W) @ 33/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports)

    14:25 – Melrose H’cap (Heritage) – Lordship @ 4/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports), Vaguely Royal @ 11/1 (888Sport, BetVictor), Fox Journey @ 14/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Boylesports)

    15:00 – City Of York Stakes (Group Two) – Kinross (NAP) @ 2/1 (BetVictor)

    15:35 – Ebor H’cap (Heritage) – Live Your Dream @ 10/1 (General), Adjuvant @ 12/1 (Boylesports, BetUK), Berkshire Rocco @ 25/1 (Boylesports)

    16:10 – Constantine H’cap (Heritage) – Aberama Gold (HB) @ 8/1 (General), The Green Man @ 10/1 (General), Anthem National @ 28/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)

    16:45 – Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed) – Purosangue @ 7/4 (General)

    17:20 – Finale H’cap (Heritage) – Astro King @ 6/1 (888Sport, BetVictor, Betfred), Killybegs Warrior @ 16/1 (General), Marie’s Diamond @ 40/1 (BetVictor, Unibet, Betfred)

    Best of Luck!