BATTAASH is the star on the third day of the York Ebor Festival and you have say well done to Charlie Hills and all the team associated with this wonderful six-year-old gelding. Jim Crowley has mentioned how much more relaxed he is these days in the build up to a race when going down to the start. Also, you have to give a big shout out to Battaash’s groom Bob Grace too, as no one knows this wonderful horse better.

Today, Battaash is Unibet 1/2 to take his second Nunthorpe and score his third success of 2020. At Goodwood he looked in tremendous form when smashing the course record in winning the Group 2 King George Qatar Stakes for the fourth time, having won comfortably at Royal Ascot.

Some will believe that the recent wet weather will give them an opportunity, however, remember that Battaash won on good to soft at Royal Ascot and on soft in the 2017 Prix de l’Abbaye.

We look forward to seeing Battaash and all the team back in the winner’s enclosure. #EborAtHome

Cheers

The Wine Tipster.

1.45 York Handicap (1m4f)

Zabeel Champion aside from one poor run on seasonal debut has been a model of consistency since with two wins and a second on his last three starts.

At Goodwood last time out over one mile two furlongs, when tipped up, he finished second to the 50/1 shot Junkanoo. He ran well that day and gave every indication that a step up to today’s trip will really suit him. 

There is little evidence of strong recent form in the field with Restorer the only other runner to finish in the top three when runner-up last time out. Ryan Moore takes the ride on Zabeel Champion.

Unibet 15/8 win

2.15 York Lonsdale Cup Stakes Group 2 (2m)

Enbihaar is a thorough galloper who looks ready for the step up to 2 miles and softer conditions are no problem. Last time out this mare had a comfortable victory in the three-runner Lillie Langtry at Goodwood, when she stepped up considerably from her seasonal debut at Newmarket.

Last season at Doncaster Enbihaar realty stayed on impressively to take the Group 2 at the St Leger meeting over one mile six and a half furlongs.  

Unibet 5/2 win

2.45 York Gimcrack Stakes Group 2 (6f)

Mystery Smiles will keep progressing and he won quite cosily at Chester last time out, despite the track not totally looking like it suited him. The form of his debut Windsor win is working out as the second won his next start. This ground in his favour and the Andrew Balding team are in good form.

Unibet 17/2 each way

4.15 York Fillies’ Handicap 1m2½f

Waliyak (nap) didn’t seem suited by Goodwood last time out or certainly wanted a stronger gallop when second to Chamade (reopposes today), who made all. This was Waliyak’s first start over one mile two furlongs and she certainly stayed the trip and York looks much more likely to suit. Her previous second in the Sandringham couldn’t be working out much better and this progressive type looks the standout here.

Unibet 4/1 win

4.50 York Handicap (1m)

Hartswood for Richard Fahey still looked green when hitting the front last time out here at York and then put his head down to beat Tadleel in really good style. That was an eye-catching performance and built on his seasonal reappearance on the Knavesmire. There is more to come in a competitive contest.

Unibet 8/1 each way

Duesenberg , also trained by Richard Fahey, beat stablemate Hartswood on career debut in the soft last year. He looked sure to go on this term but hasn’t had his ground in two starts, running with great credit at Doncaster on reappearance and looking unsuited by the good to firm last time out at Newmarket. Conditions will suit more and he is worth a small wager at a big price.

Unibet 33/1 each way