Thursday 24th August 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to my preview for the Ebor Festival that is set to take place on the Knavesmire at York from Wednesday to Saturday. I’ll be sharing my fancies throughout the week, so, as ever, if you’re having a punt make sure to do it in a responsible manner.
1.50: Lowther Stakes: It’s the Group 3 Lowther Stakes that kicks things off on Thursday and in this particular affair I like the chances of Relief Rally who currently heads the betting for the combination of William Haggas and Tom Marquand. She comes into the race having won three of her four starts to date, with the only defeat coming by way of a nose in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and her form is the strongest on offer in the race here. She was last seen at Newbury when winning the Super Sprint in impressive style by three lengths and if progressing again from that effort she’s got to have a very big chance here. Relief Rally – 2/1 (Win)
2.25: Premier Yearling Stakes: The second race on Thursday is the Premier Yearling Stakes which is one of, if not, the most competitive two-year-old races you’ll see throughout the summer. I’ve tried my hand here with one at a big price and that’s We Never Stop for the team of Kevin Ryan and Shane Gray, who’s currently a 20/1 chance. He’s a Cotai Glory colt who’s progressed with each start to date and actually beat one of the market principals for this race in Twilight Romance on his most recent outing at Pontefract in July. The yard loves to have winners at this track and if he comes on again from his last run I think he could well outrun his odds. We Never Stop – 20/1 (Each-Way)
3.00: Clipper Handicap: We move into handicap company again for race number three with the Clipper Handicap taking centre stage which is contested over a mile. This is another extremely difficult affair for punters, with twenty runners currently set to go to place and it’s currently 6/1 the field. I’ve tried my hand once again with one at a big price and this is a familiar name in Escobar for David O’Meara and James Doyle. He’s currently a 25/1 chance and rightfully so on recent form, where he hasn’t shown much at all. However, he is a course and distance winner which stands for a lot around here and his mark has continued to tumble below his last winning one, and if there was a track he could bounce back to life there’s every chance it could be here on the Knavesmire. He’s a massive price and if getting a bit of luck could go well. Escobar – 25/1 (Each-Way)
3.35: Yorkshire Oaks: The feature contest of the day is the Yorkshire Oaks which is a Group 1 affair that’s ridden over a mile and four furlongs. This year’s renewal of the race has thrown up an intriguing and competitive affair of which I’ve sided with Bluestocking for Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan. She was only narrowly beaten last time at the Curragh in the Irish Oaks behind Savethelastdance who she will reoppose here, but I think she could still have significant progression in her. She’ll also get the weight allowance off the older horses in this race, and with only a half of a length to find on the O’Brien filly she could well gain revenge here for a yard who are currently in great form. Bluestocking – 9/4 (Win)
4.10: British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes: My final selection of the afternoon on Thursday comes within Listed company in the Galtres Stakes over a mile and four furlongs. I’ve decided to side with Sea Theme here who’s a 5/1 chance at the moment for William Haggas and Tom Marquand. She’s a filly by Sea The Stars who posted an impressive effort on her most recent outing at Doncaster in July, where she won within novice company by three lengths. It’s very likely that there is a lot more to come from here and she represents a stable who have a very strong record at this track and meeting over the years. I think she has to be considered as a very serious player. Sea Theme – 5/1 (Each-Way)
