Andy Holding has five tips for today’s horse racing in York at the Ebor Festival.
15:35 York
Having already previewed this race last week, it goes against the grain to offer up an alternative to original selection, Alflaila, but as he’s gone a bagged a tricky wide draw, a small cover bet on BLUESTOCKING (best price 10-1) isn’t the worst strategy advised.
Similar to Owen Burrows’ inmate, she also has solid C&D form and her effort in the King George last time out strongly suggested she is still flourishing.
Despite her brilliant display at Ascot, the fact still remains she has yet to win over 1m4f whereas she has only suffered defeat once over today’s trip and that was following an absence of 233 days.
A smooth traveller who won’t mind the likely strong pace on offer (Hans Anderson probable sacrificial lamb for City Of Troy), Ralph Beckett’s filly rates a cracking each-way proposition at the morning odds and it wouldn’t come as any major shock if she were to walk away with the sweets for the race sponsors.
16:10 York
Quite a long list of potential candidates in this staying prize but both GREAT BEDWYN (best price 7-1) and EVALUTION (best price 14-1) have profiles to suggest they can make some sort of impact and put their valuable course form to good use.
The former caught the eye with the way he stayed on from the back of the field on his only start on the Knavesmire last season and since then, he has gone on to run consistently well in similar handicaps.
Gelded in recent times, his two efforts post operation have resulted in a deserved victory at Newbury and an eye-catching third at Goodwood last time out and given the way he stayed on strongly in the latter stages 18 days ago, the step up to today’s two-mile trip should suit.
The latter is one of three C&D winners in the field so he ticks that particular box for starters and his most recent effort when runner-up in the Northumberland Plate is as good as any form on offer. Moreover, the speed figure he posted at the Gosforth Park venue was by some way a career high and he has been freshened up for a tilt at this prize ever since.
17:20 York
CAYMAN TAI (best price 8-1) has a bit to find with Artagnan based on their recent Goodwood clash but with the possibility Richard Hannon’s inmate might end up being the slightly better draw of the pair (middle of the track usually the best place to be on straight course), he is taken to turn around the form with his old rival.
As things transpired at the Sussex track, the winner just got first run on the son of Earthlight but he was closing strongly in the latter stages and his effort went along way to suggest he is just as good over six furlongs as he is over the minimum trip.
A similar type to Ginger Nut, who landed this race for the same stable back in 2018, the reliable and consistent grey can reward strong each-way support.
