Andy thinks an Iain Jardine inmate might just be worth an each-way punt for the Ebor.
Ebor Handicap - Saturday 26th August
In-keeping with many of these big heritage handicaps, the days when lightly-raced three-year-olds sneaked into this famous race and made a mockery of their respective marks seem well and truly over (Mediterranean last winner of his generation back in 2001), and given the fact the bottom weight will need to be rated at least in the 100’s to get in, it just shows how the boundaries have moved considerably in recent times. Course form is another good starting point with many previous winners all showing a liking to the Knavesmire, so with that mind looking at this year’s pile, NAKEETA (best price 33-1) slots nicely into most categories.
Although he hasn’t managed to win since 2015, Iain Jardine’s inmate has by and large run to a pretty good standard in defeat and as some of his best performances have come over this C&D, it’s pretty safe to assume connections have had this race in mind for some time. Indeed, one of his best efforts on the figures came when he chased home the very smart Dal Harraild in a listed contest back here in May and with the likes of subsequent big handicap winners, Dylan Mouth and The Tartan Spartan well beaten in behind, the form looks fairly solid. Way too keen for his own good in the early stages at Newmarket last time out, he actually didn’t run too badly in the circumstances to finish a creditable fourth behind the progressive Jaameh under top weight of 9st 7lb and with that run coming way back in June, the son of Sixties Icon will have had plenty of time to recuperate and be freshened up for the big event.
Obviously, the draw will play a massive part in the outcome on the day, but as far as underfoot conditions are concerned, the six-year-old is pretty flexible either way having won on soft and run many fine races on fast ground also. Yet to finish out of the first four in three starts at York, he has the enviable combination of tactical speed for 1m 4f and stamina for beyond 2m and with him looking almost certain to get a run being number 23 on the card, he rates a decent each-way proposition at this stage at 33-1.
