Steve Ryder sides with a big priced selection in next week’s Ebor Handicap at York.
Ebor Handicap
Although the prize money has reduced from £1,000,000 in 2019 to £300,000 this year, the Ebor Handicap is still the most valuable flat handicap run in Europe. It is held on the final day of the Ebor festival at York and has had three-year-olds excluded since 2019.
Ebor Handicap Winners, Trends & Stats
The Ebor has only had one multiple winner which was Flint Jack in 1922 and 1923 but Trawlerman (2022) won this race prior to winning the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot this season.
- 11 of the previous 12 winners were aged between four and six
- 10 of the previous 12 winners were rated 101 or higher
- 10 of the previous 12 winners carried between 9st1lbs and 9s9lbs
- Eight of the previous 12 winners were beaten on their previous start
- Seven of the previous 12 winners had won over 1m6f or further
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Ebor Runners Guide
Hipop De Loire
Finished an unlucky 5th in this race last season on his first flat start for Willie Mullins off a mark of 103. He finished 4th in a listed race at Roscommon on his reappearance after 311 days off the track before winning a maiden hurdle at Galway by 11 lengths a fortnight ago. He is respected for a trainer who won this race in 2009 and 2023 but looks a short price for a horse who is 7-28 in his career.
French Master
Progressive four-year-old who was purchased by Wathnan Racing prior to his win in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot this season. That victory came off a mark of 100 in first-time blinkers before slightly disappointing when upped in trip to 2 miles in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup last time. He would run back in this handicap off a lofty rating of 108.
Ethical Diamond
Won the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot this season off a mark of 96 and has been raised 8lbs for that two-length success. The five-year-old has won a maiden hurdle at Punchestown but this trip would be a slight question mark given how keenly he travels in his races.
Plage De Havre
Finished 3rd in the ‘Race To The Ebor’ Jorvik Handicap over 1m4f at York in May off a mark of 92 before winning impressively by four lengths at Haydock last time. The handicapper has raised him 9lbs for that victory the runner-up Paddy The Squire has won by five lengths on his subsequent start and the third Night Breeze has also won since. Andrew Balding is 0-17 in this race though which is a small concern.
London City
Lightly raced Aidan O’Brien trained four-year-old who won twice last season including over 1m4f at York beating Align The Stars. He struggled on his reappearance before finishing 5th beaten only 6 ¾ lengths in the Group 2 Curragh Cup last time. Runs here off a mark of 104 which is 11lbs higher than his course success last season.
Betano Sportbook
Ebor Trainers & Jockeys To Watch
In recent years there have been multiple trainers who have won this race twice. Saaed Bin Suroor won in with All The Good (2008) and Willing Foe (2012), Willie Mullins won it with Sesenta (2009) and Absurde (2023) and Johnny Murtagh won it with Mutual Regard (2014) and Sonnyboyliston (2021). Andrew Balding, who runs the well fancied Plage De Havre this year, is 0-17 in the race.
Jamie Spencer has won this race twice recently with Purple Moon (2007) and Dirar (2010) and since then the likes of Oisin Murphy, Callum Rodriguez, Jim Crowley, Colin Keane, Ben Coen and Billy Lee have all ridden the winner of this race.
York Tips for the Ebor Handicap
Looking through the trends of this race, REAL DREAM (best priced at 50/1) is the one who appeals most at the prices. The six-year-old was sent off only 15/2 in this race in 2023 when ridden by Ryan Moore off a mark of 99 where arguably he was given too forceful of a ride.
The Ian Williams trained gelding outran odds of 25/1 to finish 3rd beaten only ½ length under Jamie Spencer in the listed Coral Marathon over 2 miles at Sandown. He was 3rd beaten only 3 lengths at Newmarket last time off a mark of 100 and is deserving of a 3lb rise from the handicapper.
Real Dream is the correct age, has the correct rating, will carry the correct weight, was beaten on his previous start and has won over 1m6f previously so at 50/1 he looks widely overpriced.
