Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
It’s the final day of one of the best meetings of the year, the Ebor meeting at York and Saturday stages the race the meeting gets its name from. ITV are covering five races from the Knavesmire with the Ebor being the standout race on the card. They are also staging two further handicaps along with a couple of Group races. All in all, an absolute cracker of a card.
This fine meeting is backed up by two races from Goodwood both of which are Group races and where Aldaary will be a popular choice but it’s York I’ll be concentrating on and here are my thoughts for the meeting along with this week’s Lucky Fifteen.
Saturday York Lucky Fifteen
2.25 Denmark
3.00 Jumby
3.35 Absurde
4.10 King’s Lynn
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
The first race I’ve looked at is York’s 2.25 the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap a 1m 6f contest for 3-year-olds. Top weight here is Ralph Beckett’s Davideo who has won twice this season, both occasions at Newmarket latterly in July this is a step up in class and he has plenty of weight.
Aidan O’Brien sends Denmark over from Ireland. He has only had one run this season and that was on heavy going at Leopardstown in April where he finished a poor fifth. That was a Group 2 and this move to handicap company is curious. He could be anything.
William Haggas’s Lordship has won his last three and the latest at Haydock last month was a fine victory. He will go close despite a 9lb rise in the weights.
Another triple winner is Charlie Johnston’s Edge Of Darkness but those wins were in minor contests and he may find this step up in class difficult.
Bottom weight is another Haggas runner Alhambra Palace who has won his last two but this is a big step up in class.
I like Andrew Balding’s The Goat who romped home at Goodwood earlier this month and he should be the selection but the Group 1 second, Denmark, really takes my eye.
The 3.00 is the Group 2 Sky Bet City Of York Stakes, a 7-furlong contest won last year by Kinross and Ralph Beckett’s gelding returns for another crack at this prestigious race. Since his victory, he has won a Group 1 at Ascot and he won last time out at Goodwood earlier this month. Dettori takes the ride once again and he will be all out to take another Group victory. He will take all the beating.
Charlie Appleby’s Al Suhail won twice in Dubai earlier this year but has not brought that form to the UK.
William Haggas’s Sacred won a Group 3 on the all-weather at Lingfield in May then ran a fine second at Royal Ascot in June with Al Suhail, Kinross and Sandrine behind him, he will go close.
Isaac Shelby was only beaten a neck by Kinross at Goodwood. Prior to that, he was hammered in a Group 1 at Ascot. He may have to settle for a place once again.
But I look for value and the value horse is Eve Johnson-Houghton’s Jumby who won well at Haydock in June and then ran second at Newmarket at the beginning of July. He has had a break since then and comes here fresh.
The big handicap of the day is at 3.35 the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap run over 1m 6f. The Gosdens won this last year and have this year’s favourite with Sweet William who won his last three latterly at Goodwood earlier this month but he has a 4lb penalty and that may be enough to hold him back.
Top weight is Saeed Bin Suroor’s Live Your Dream who won at Newmarket in July but his weight is a problem.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Real Dream was a runaway winner at Ascot in July. He can hit the frame.
Andrew Balding’s Scampi beat Real Dream when he won here at York in May. Since then, he has acquitted himself well and finally got the victory he deserved a fortnight ago at Ascot but he has a penalty for that win.
Someone who knows how to win these distance handicaps is Irish trainer Willie Mullins and he sends over Absurde who was a fine second at Royal Ascot on his only run on the flat this season. He has previously been placed in a Listed race in France and is fit from a run over hurdles at Galway last month. Dettori has been booked to ride.
One who can go well at a big price is Charlie Hills Saratoga Gold. He can pick up some place money.
Finally, it is the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap at 4.10 a 6-furlong sprint. This was won last year by David O’Meara’s Summerghand and the 9-year-old returns to try and win this prestigious race once again. He was an unlucky second at Ripon last week but he has 9lbs more to carry than when winning last year.
Richard Hannon has four runners here, including top weight Ehraz who probably needs to drop down the handicap. Hannon’s best chance is probably with The Big Board who has won three times this season most notably at Ascot in July. He can go well off his low weight.
James Fanshawe’s Fresh has proved expensive to follow this season and seems to prefer Ascot.
Another O’Meara horse, Aberama Gold, is having a tremendous season having won four times, including here at York in July. He is on a hat-trick here and is sure to go close.
I fail to understand King’s Lynn’s form this season. Andrew Balding’s charge has won Listed and Group 2 races but has struggled in handicap company. He has now dropped down the weights and I take him to show his class at last and take this.
Saturday York Lucky Fifteen
2.25 Denmark
3.00 Jumby
3.35 Absurde
4.10 King’s Lynn
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
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