THE final day of the Welcome to Ebor Festival at York will cap a brilliant four days of racing at the Knavesmire.

The key question at the time of writing is how much the forecast rain will affect the going by the time of the Ebor Handicap at 3.35. At this stage it seems it won’t affect the ground enough to strongly benefit those soft ground performers like last year’s winner Fujaira Prince, who would be a strong fancy if that was the case. Weather aside this is a top-class renewal with plenty of entries low on mileage who have been targeted at the Ebor Handicap. One of my selections Hamish hasn’t run since last June, yet this isn’t a concern as Litigant won after an even longer break in 2015. If you are looking for a big priced each way Ebor selection, then Max Vega Unibet 28/1 has the class to get in the mix.

Enjoy whether at York or #athome

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

1.50 York – Strenshall Stakes Group 3 (1m 1f)

Real World won the Royal Hunt Cup in emphatic style at Royal Ascot on his first start since returning from Dubai. He then showed that he could win at Pattern-class level when beating Derab next time out at Newbury. Real World is hard to oppose and can strike once again.

Unibet 5/4 win 

2.25 York – Melrose Handicap (1m 6f)

Dhushan will appreciate the step up in trip here from one mile four furlongs and has a strong chance for inform William Haggas. This son of Sea The Stars won easily at Haydock and then followed up at Musselburgh with the Edinburgh Cup. On his last start at Ascot he finished second to First Light, who had first run that today with Dhushan staying on really well. 

Unibet 6/1 each way

Hard To Fault for the inform Tim Easterby and David Allan team will benefit from the step up to today’s trip. At Newcastle last time out, he missed the break and then was held up before staying on well to finish sixth over two furlongs shorter. On his previous appearance Hard To Fault won comfortably at Carlisle and is a lovely type who will only go and improve.

Unibet 18/1 each way

3.35 – Ebor Handicap (1m6f)

Hamish (nap) has been targeted at this race by his trainer William Haggas, who has never won the Ebor. Hamish’s last appearance was at Royal Ascot 2020 when finishing fourth to Fanny Logan when given plenty to do and being hampered. Hamish has course and distance form, having won the Melrose Stakes in 2019 and is importantly ground versatile.

Unibet 11/2 each way

Mirann is a strong Irish challenger, who was second in an Ebor trial at the Curragh in 2020 finishing second to Lynwood Gold. This season Mirann has been campaigned over shorter trips and finished fourth over four furlongs shorter last time out, having finished second at Royal Ascot on his previous start. Mirann looks laid out for the Ebor, with this trip perfect and he is ground versatile too.

Unibet 9/1 each way 

5.20 – Apprentice Handicap (5f)

Showalong will appreciate the softer going if the forecast rain comes and by the last this will have had some affect on the going. Showalong won over course and distance last October and ran well here in June. Last time out Showalong didn’t handle Goodwood, with the tactics of dropping out in rear not working either and if the ground comes then Showalong has a good each way chance.  The talented Ella McCain takes the ride for Tim Easterby.

Unibet 10/1 each way