Friday and Saturday York Ebor Festival Tips – DS
Friday and Saturday York Ebor Festival Preview And Tips
Well, at least things slightly improved on Thursday. Queen Me ran a mighty race in the Lowther to land e/w money at 28/1. A word for Matilda Picotte too who ran another superb race in 3rd. The wide draw did Young Fire no favours and Matching Sox had a rough trip. The good news is our Ebor fancy Max Vega got stall 1, hopefully he goes well. As I am going to my brother’s wedding tomorrow (good luck Owen and Aimee!) I have posted just a small selection of bets for Day 3 and 4. Friday and Saturday York Ebor Festival tips are below.
Friday Selections
3.35 – Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1)
Nothing really jumps out as being overpriced in the previous races. However, I think Lazuli could surprise with a big run at nice odds in this 5f sprint. Trained by Charlie Appleby, this 5yo son of Dubawi ran a very nice race last time at Goodwood. It was a pleasing run after a middling effort at Royal Ascot on his first run back in the UK after a spell in Dubai. It was a fruitful journey for him with a Listed 2nd over 6f and then a G2 win ahead of Acklam Express over 5f.
5f seems to be his optimum trip and he shaped with lots of promise at Goodwood. He ran on really well for 4th behind Khaadem, missing out on victory by just 1.25L. Appleby’s charge missed out on a place on the nod and he was only a length behind Raasel (14/1 here). He is 3lbs better off with Khaadem today (12/1) and he is also 3lbs better off with Raasel. Obviously, the younger horses are feared but Lazuli surely has sound place claims. At 25/1, he is the e/w selection.
Friday and Saturday York Ebor Festival Tip: Lazuli e/w @ 25/1 (4 Places) NB
Saturday
2.25 – Melrose Heritage Handicap (Class 2)
Savvy Knight may have disappointed at Sandown last time at this trip, but it was only a 3 runner race. Sean Woods’ son of Caravaggio is better judged on his superb effort when a close 4th of 19 in a red hot handicap at Ascot. In that race he was held up on the inner in midfield and when the pace lifted, he just got a bit tapped for toe as they entered the home straight. However, he stayed on very pleasingly late on and he wasn’t far behind Secret State or Deauville Legend.
Woods’ charge was actually conceding 1lb to Deauville Legend and we saw how well that form was boosted here earlier this week. The handicapper put Savvy Knight up 3lbs but he got one back for that muddling 3rd at Sandown last time. On the evidence of Ascot, a proper gallop over 14f will suit this lad. Danny Muscutt is recalled for the ride (2/2 on him) and at 16/1, Savvy Knight looks a solid e/w bet.
Friday and Saturday York Ebor Festival Tip: Savvy Knight e/w @ 16/1 (4 places) NAP
3.35 – Ebor Heritage Handicap (Class 2)
We are already on Max Vega and he will start from stall 1. While winning from that starting berth can be difficult, especially for hold up horses, hopefully Rob Horny can slot in behind whoever makes the pace and get a decent midfield posi on the rail. Last year he was drawn 12, traditionally a great draw, and still found all sorts of trouble. Hopefully, he gets the rub of the green this year and if he does, he is more than capable of winning.
Just in case he gets mullered again, I am also going to back Fancy Man from stall 14. Trained by Richard Hannon, this son of Pride Of Dubai has shaped very well the last twice. A four time winner, this step up to 14f could be exactly what the doctor ordered. Ok, he didn’t quite get home over 12f on soft at Haydock in July but he looked like he might appreciate further in a 12f Goodwood G3 last time.
He was always in a good position in that race and I don’t think he didn’t stay, he just didn’t have the speed to go with the front two. Hannon’s charge still had the likes of John Leeper, Global Storm and our selection behind him and while they are all slightly better off at the weights, Fancy Man shouldn’t be so much bigger than them all in the betting. He has been placed both previous runs on gd/fm (in G3s) and he should get that ground on Saturday. At odds of 50/1, a small e/w interest is advised.
