STAR HORSE RACING PREVIEW: York Ebor Festival 2023 | Day Four

Before we start the final preview, a moment of appreciation for Paul Hanagan…

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The 2023 Ebor Festival, Day 4
York Racecourse
Saturday 26th August
Live on ITV 1 HD from 1.25pm and Racing TV from 1.00pm

First Race: 1.50pm
Last Race: 5.15pm

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The two time Champion Jockey didn’t go out with a winner on Friday but he leaves with a brilliant career to look back upon and one hopes he’ll enjoy a well-deserved retirement. One of the best festivals of the racing year closes with a bang, as the SkyBet Ebor closes out the week, along with Melrose and City of York Stakes which headline an incredibly competitive day’s action.

Yesterday: Balance Play was a disappointment in the opening handicap, perhaps not enjoying York after being off the bridle early and finding some small trouble in the straight. He’s not one to give up on, especially at a different track or going back to a softer surface.

Kylian travelled best of all in the Gimcrack, having to wait for a gap before being stopped in his run again, but he didn’t seem to be finding much and he might need to drop back to five furlongs.

Tafreej lost his race at the start in the closing Mile Handicap, having too much ground to make up in a race won by the smooth travelling Silver Sword. Hoping for better luck on the last day!

Ebor (3.35pm)

One of the richest handicaps in Europe and as one would expect, one of the most competitive. Plenty may look for a bigger price than Sweet William – which would be understandable – but there are few more progressive horses in the race and he can reward connections’ decision to go for the race.

Long talked about as an Ebor horse (he received ante-post quotes after winning impressive at Newbury on his handicap debut) he booked his spot with a stylish win at Glorious Goodwood when he beat Adjuvant and Euchen Glen in style, having much more in hand than the winning margin of just under three lengths suggested.

Despite having only two handicap starts his form already stacks up very well (Goodwood second Adjuvant was fifth in the Northumberland Plate beforehand, and Newbury third Aztec Empire second here this week) and based on his style of travelling and career progression so far, he can prove better than a mark of 99. Indeed, it would be no surprise if he was a group horse by the end of the season and faster ground doesn’t cause a worry as he’s a winner on the surface.

Amongst the many, many contenders one must respect the Mullins pair of Absurde (behind stablemate and Melbourne Cup contender Vauban) and Jackfinbar (run two good races since joining stable) whilst Real Dream was a big eyecatcher in the Jorvik Stakes (behind fellow contender Scampi).

All of them have big chances whilst HMS President and Live Your Dream (winner of big handicap at July Festival) were an excellent second and third in the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot, form which suggests they can play their part.

Rest of Card

Sacred disappointed in this last season when behind the extremely admirable Kinross, who is here to defend his title, but if she’s able to find her very best form then she has a puncher’s chance in the City of York Stakes (3.00pm). Her second in the Platinum Jubilee would give her a huge chance and 4/1 looks to be value about her chances here if she puts her best foot forward.

Isaac Shelby, Al Suhail, Mutasaabeq and Olivia Maralda can all be given a chance at their best.

This could be a big day for the Haggas/Marquand combination who have a great chance of landing the Melrose Stakes (2.25) with Lordship. He came from last to first to take a valuable handicap at Haydock in style (had more in hand than winning margin suggested) and based on the way he defied an 8lbs rise at Haydock suggests that he’s got more left in the tank.

There are any number of potential winners in opposition from big yards – with Denmark, Davideo and Goldenstatewarrior amongst the most interesting contenders – and this is a race to get the notebook out for, win or lose.

Nostrum has been chalked up as a short-priced favourite to take the Strensall Stakes (1.50) but he can be left at the price and Jimi Hendrix made appeal against him, although the race is left for betting purposes.

The Constantine Handicap over 6 furlongs closes out the ITV Racing action for the week and David O’Meara could take another big handicap prize with Aberama Gold. He powered through the mud to take the Stewards’ Cup last time out, having previously won the SkyBet Dash on just his second start for the yard.

Fast ground at this level is a possible question for him to answer, but he has won over this trip on good to firm ground beforehand and if he’s able to repeat those performances then he can get seriously involved after his two big sprint wins.

Market leaders Purosangue and Baheer rightly dominate the betting for the Roses Stakes (4.45) although it did not appeal a huge amount as a betting contest.

Astro King makes the most appeal in the aptly named Finale Handicap (5.20) after his second in the John Smith’s Cup. He’s run three races for his new connections and two of them have been cracking efforts here in strong handicap company; a repeat of those will have him right in the thick of things.

WILLIAM KEDJANYI

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RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Lordship 1 pt win in 2.25 York at 4/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Sacred 1 pt win in 3.00 York at 4/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Sweet William 1 pt win in 3.35 York at 7/2 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Aberama Gold 1 pt win in 4.10 York at 8/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

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PROFIT/LOSS (AUGUST 2023): LOSS -9.40 points

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