THE final day of the Ebor Festival features a quality renewal of the Ebor Handicap in which the last five winners have carried 9st 3lbs or more so big weights are not prohibitive as they used to be. Also, as is often the case with the Ebor these days, not many of these can be considered well handicapped, although one of my selections below My Mate Mozzie certainly looks the one who is on this occasion.
It is worth giving a special mention to the remarkable 12-year-old Not So Sleepy, who retains all his zest, though on this occasion the ground might be too quick for him.
Enjoy whether at York or watching #athome on ITV Racing or Racing TV.
Cheers!
The Wine Tipster
1:50 York – Strenshall Stakes Group 3 (1m 1f)
Phantom Flight is a five-year-old who has been refinding his form coupled with a new tendency to go forward in his races, and you simple cannot argue with his last two efforts where, on both occasions at Newmarket and Goodwood he’s finished a length behind Al Aasy, which is very solid form in the context of this race. Whilst he is dropping back in trip, he has won over a mile too and has a better chance than the market suggests.
Unibet are BEST INDUSTRY PRICE guaranteed in this race!
2.25 York – Melrose Handicap Heritage Handicap (1m 6f)
Champagne Prince ran a blinder to finish a neck second to Going Remote in a handicap on Shergar Cup day at Ascot. He really should have won this race as he was travelling smoothly and should have been set up for an earlier challenge. He clearly likes the quick ground and you can expect another step up on his first race over this trip.
Unibet are paying MONEY BACK as CASH if 2nd or 3rd in this race!
3.00 York – City Of York Stakes Group 2 (7f)
Audience probably hasn’t had the credit he deserves for winning both the Lockinge and, under a penalty, the Lennox Stakes last time at Goodwood and whilst plenty will expect Kinross to get closer under a more prominent ride here, the track continues to favour those ridden with the speed this week and that swings the vote Audience’s way.
In between he found a mile at Ascot in the Queen Anne too stiff a test but this easier 7f is surely in his favour and should make him hard to beat
3.35 York – Ebor Handicap (1m 6f)
Hipop De Loire (nap) made his debut for Willie Mullins at Galway when running very encouragingly to finish second in a maiden hurdle earlier this month. This was his first start of 2024, and his flat career has included a fourth in the Group 3 German St Leger on successive seasons, as well as winning a listed race in Germany back in 2022. He has on won good ground and with clearly no stamina issues he can run a big race.
My Mate Mozzie better known for his exploits over hurdles and more latterly fences, he’s one that arguably looks a few pounds in front of his mark and he ran well to finish third from a 2lb lower mark in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot, some early scrimmaging costing him his early place in the race but he stayed on well to claim the bronze late on. He continued to show his wellbeing with a good third in the Galway Hurdle last time, and as long as he can hear his hooves rattle, he looks the each-way value of the race.
4.10 York – Constantine Handicap Heritage Handicap (6f)
Apollo One is back and this is the seventh time he has featured in my Unibet blog. On the four occasions he has been marked up over six furlongs he has finished 2232, which includes two runner-up spots in the Stewards’ Cup, where he looked right back to his best this time. Apollo One has run over five furlongs on a few occasions, however it is all about this trip and from stall 10 with ideal ground conditions he can finally win the big handicap he so deserves on his fifth start of the season.
Please remember to gamble responsibly. Visit our Safer Gambling section for more information, help and advice.
