The Ebor Festival finishes at York on Saturday on what is likely to be a wet and dank day weather wise but which is anything but on the racecourse as the Knavesmire is once again the setting for some excellent racing.
The feature face on the final day of the festival is the Ebor handicap itself, a race which gets our attention from a betting point of view with not much that we fancy on the remainder of the card on Saturday afternoon.
3.35 York
Preview
The richest handicap in the UK takes place on the Knavesmire today in the shape of the Skybet Ebor, run over a trip of 1 mile 6 furlongs and with a maximum field of 22 expected to head down to the start. One of the big questions today is the ground, with it currently riding good to firm, good in places, but with plenty of rain around in the north. Some of these may not take their chances depending on what the weather does so it might pay to stick with one that will run no matter what.
Favourites
The market leader is Hamish, one of 4 for William Haggas, but he’s been off the track for over a year now so there’s a lot to be taken on trust. When he was last seen, he won a handicap here off a 10lb lower mark & then ran in Group company, finishing 2nd to Trueshan & 4th behind Fanny Logan. Another with a similar absence is the Willie Mullins charge, Mt Leinster. He’s sure to have been laid out for the race but I’m not one to be backing horses after long absences, especially not at their current odds. Both need the rain to arrive so I’m happy to look elsewhere.
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Contenders
Fujaira Prince won the race last year & is hard to dismiss but a mark of 114 & a monster weight of 10st is not ideal in such a competitive heat. He’s certain to run his race but should prove vulnerable to better handicapped types. Ilaraab had won 5 on the spin for Haggas before disappointing in a Group 2 & might just be handicapped out of things whilst Roberto Escobarr could prove a danger to all if the rain stays away. The Irish have a decent record in the race & Johnny Murtagh runs 2, with Sonnyboyliston the pick of stable jockey Ben Coen. He was behind a few of these here last time out so you’re probably relying on the return of cheekpieces to do the trick.
Betting
However, I’m sweet on Murtagh’s second string, Mirann. He’s a horse that loves to be held up & come from off a strong pace, something we are more than likely to get in a race of this nature. Furthermore, all of his form notes him as finishing off his races very strongly & this is only the second time he’s raced over this distance. Since winning at Galway last summer, he’s failed to get in the winners enclosure but has put in some good performances in that time, most notably finishing 2nd in the Ebor Trial at the Curragh last year, a closing 8th in the Irish Lincoln over an insufficient trip & 4th in the Duke Of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot. This year he was 2nd in a Premier handicap at the Curragh on soft to heavy when held up & then short of room making his challenge. He came with a good late run to finish 2nd over a trip way short of his best. He then took his chance at Royal Ascot & that race was on heavy. He handled the ground rather than relished it like the winner Quickthorn & came from another county to grab 4th, finishing off best of all. Racing closer to the pace or at a track with a longer straight, such as York, he’d have been even closer. Interestingly, he was dropped back down in trip last time at Leopardstown but still ran well to finish 4th when again finishing well despite being very keen for his amateur jockey. The ground will be fine no matter what, he’s crying out for the trip & he’s handicapped well enough too. Sure to run a big race with the wide & long straight in his favour, I fancy him to go very close.
Tips
Back Mirann (e/w) for a 1.5/10 stake at 13.00 Betfair BOG (⅕ odds 1-6)
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