Saturday 26th 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: Strensall Stakes: It’s the Strensall Stakes that kicks things off on the Saturday of the Ebor Festival which is a Group 3 affair over a mile and a furlong and I like the chances of Nostrum here who currently heads the betting for Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore. He suffered a surprising defeat last time out in the Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood, which came after he bolted up on his seasonal reappearance within Listed company at Newmarket. The yard have been having a quiet time of it lately which is a concern, however, I do think he’s considerably the best horse in this line-up and probably wouldn’t need to be at his full best to win this. Nostrum – 6/5 (Win)
2.25: Melrose Handicap: The second race of the day is the Melrose Handicap which is a Heritage Handicap that’s ridden over six furlongs. I’ve had a dreadful record in these big handicaps over the summer, but I’m hoping to buck that trend here with Alhambra Palace who’s currently trading at 7/1 for William Haggas and Adam Farragher who takes off three pounds. He’s a gelding who comes into the race in fine form, winning his last two outings in handicap company with the most recent success coming at at Sandown earlier this month. I think he could have more to offer, should the ground not be too quick for him and Farragher’s claim is a big plus as well. Alhambra Palace – 7/1 (Each-Way)
3.00: City Of York Stakes: Next up it’s Group 2 action in the City Of York Stakes over seven furlongs and I’m siding with last year’s winner of the race to retain his crown in Kinross who’s the mount of Frankie Dettori and trained by Ralph Beckett. He’s probably the best in the business over this distance and bounced back to form at Goodwood last time with a cosy success in the Lennox Stakes over Isaac Shelby, who’ll he reoppose once more here. I struggle to see that form being reversed should the Beckett charge turn up in the same kind of form and he’s already got the valuable course and distance form at this track, it should take a big performance to lower his colours. Kinross – 7/4 (Win)
3.35: Sky Bet Ebor Handicap: The feature race of the meeting is none other than the Ebor Handicap which is one of the most competitive handicaps of the summer as well as being one of the most popular betting contests. We’ve got twenty-one runners currently set to go to post and Sweet William will be the hot favourite for the Gosden’s and rightfully so on his recent form. I am looking elsewhere though for a bit of a value, and I’ve come down on Adjuvant for who’s currently a 14/1 chance for Michael Bell and Kevin Stott. He’s been highly progressive this summer, winning a Newmarket handicap before finishing fifth in the Northumberland Plate and most recently second in a highly competitive Goodwood handicap behind Sweet William. He’ll have to step up quite a bit to reverse that form, but he’s a nice price and if continuing his current rate of progress has every chance of making the frame. Adjuvant – 14/1 (Each-Way)
