Friday 25th 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: Sky Bet Handicap: It’s handicap action that gets us underway on Friday on the Knavesmire over a mile and four furlongs. In what is another massively competitive affair, I’m taking a chance on Paradias for the team of Alan King and Rossa who’s currently trading at around 10/1. He’s been posting consistent efforts within competitive handicaps all summer, winning at Sandown back in June and most recently finishing a fine fourth of fifteen in the Chesterfield Cup at Goodwood. His mark still looks like a manageable one and if he turns up in the same form again on this occasion he’s got every chance of being bang there once again. Paradias – 10/1 (Each-Way)
2.25: Lonsdale Cup: We have Group 2 action now over two miles and half of a furlong as the Lonsdale Cup takes centre stage and in this year’s renewal of the race I’m siding with Coltrane who represents Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding. He currently heads the betting at 11/4 and will reoppose Courage Mon Ami once again here, however, getting three pounds off his old rival on this occasion. When he was last seen he finished third in the Goodwood Cup, travelling well but having far much to do to catch the runaway winner in Quickthon with prior to that a runner-up effort in the Ascot Gold Cup. I’m still of the impression that he’s the best horse among these rivals, despite his two recent defeats, and with a more sensible ride on this occasion can prove that. Coltrane – 11/4 (Win)
3.00: Gimcrack Stakes: We now have the Gimcrack Stakes which is a Group 3 contest that’s set to be ridden over a distance of six furlongs. In this speedy affair, I’m taking the side of Kylian for Karl Burke and Clifford who’s currently battling it out at the top of the market with the Aidan O’Brien trained Johannes Brahms. I think that he was unlucky in the Molecamb Stakes last time out at Goodwood when not having a clear run and eventually had to settle for third whereas prior to that at Sandown, he put in a devastating performance in the Listed Dragon Stakes, winning by five-lengths. I believe he has the makings of a top-class sprinter and if getting a bit more luck on this occasion could prove tough to beat. Kylian – 5/2 (Win)
3.35: Nunthorpe Stakes: The feature race on Friday is the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes that’s ridden over the five furlongs and is seen as on of the most prestigious sprinting events in the racing calendar. Highfield Princess will be all the rage at the top of the market, and she’ll take a lot of beating. However, she is very short, and I’ve decided to try and find a bit of value elsewhere by siding with Big Evs who’s currently a 7/1 chance for Michael Appleby and Andrea Atzeni. He comes into the race with a seriously progressive profile, winning the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot before following up in the Molecomb at Goodwood earlier this month. He gets a heap of weight from his older rivals as well here, which I think could help him a great deal and if he continues his current rate of progression he could well have a very serious say. Big Evs – 7/1 (Each-Way)
