Saturday 23rd August 2025
YORK EBOR FESTIVAL SELECTIONS (DAY 4)
1.50: Sky Bet Strensall Stakes
KING’S GAMBIT – 5/2 (Win) (NB)
Bounced back to form at Royal Ascot when he was last seen in June, finishing third and a length and a half behind Haatem in the Listed Wolferton Stakes. He has plenty of very solid form to his name, including when half of a length behind Los Angeles in the Great Voltigeur at this meeting last year. He should go close.
2.25: Sky Bet Melrose Handicap
POLE STAR – 15/2 (Each-Way) (4 places)
Progressive colt who comes into the race in fine form, having won his last two outings, both coming within handicap company at Class 2 and 3 level. He’s been nudged up three pounds for his success at Yarmouth last time out, where he stayed on to win by a length, and there’s every chance that he’s still on the up.
3.00: Sky Bet City Of York Stakes
ROSALLION – 13/8 (Win) (NAP)
Group 1 winning three-year-old who has been narrowly denied in back-to-back Group 1s in his last two outings at Ascot and Goodwood. This doesn’t look the strongest of top-level events, and it would be disappointing should he not make amends for those defeats here. He should be bang there once again.
3.35: Sky Bet Ebor Handicap
SHADOW DANCE – 15/2 (Each-Way) (7 places – Sky Bet)
Winner of a competitive handicap at last year’s meeting here, and followed up with a good effort in the Mellard handicap at Doncaster when half of a length third. He should improve significantly for his comeback run at Goodwood last month, and it looks as though this particular race has been the plan for him.
4.10: Sky Bet Constantine Handicap
POCKLINGTON – 11/2 (Each-Way) (5 places)
Lightly-raced four-year-old who has returned to the track this year in good form, finishing close-up in back-to-back competitive handicaps, with his latest effort coming over course and distance last month. He finished that fifth that day; however, he was only three-quarters of a length behind the winner and didn’t have a clear run. He remains on the same mark here and has to be considered as a serious player.
4.45: Julia Graves Roses Stakes
SILENT APPLAUSE – 9/2 (Each-Way)
Seemingly, the Charlie Appleby second-string here, with William Buick opting for Military Code; however, Ryan Moore takes the ride on the selection, which is far from a negative. This two-year-old Acclamation gelding has looked impressive since dropping down to five furlongs, winning a nursery handicap at Haydock last time out by three and three-quarters of a length. He could have a great deal yet to come.
5.20: Sky Bet Steve Birch Finale Handicap
GREEK ORDER – 13/2 (Each-Way) (4 places)
Michael Bell trained five-year-old who has been running very well within competitive handicaps since returning to these shores, following a stint in the US. He’s hit the frame at Royal Ascot, Sandown, and most recently Goodwood, and the step up in trip looks to be the right move, given how he seemed to lack a bit of pace last time out. He should go well again off the same mark under Oisin Murphy.
