It’s a hugely competitive renewal of the Ebor Handicap on Saturday afternoon at York, as one of the premier staying handicap events lights up the Knavesmire. Our tipster Steve Chambers previews the 1m 5f 188y contest and picks out his 1-2-3 for the weekend highlight.
QUEENSTOWN
(James Doyle/Aidan O’Brien)
With only one win in six races, Queenstown will need to produce a career best to land this valuable prize, but Aidan O’Brien’s string have been in terrific form this week and he’s an eye-catching figure at the head of the betting. Last seen chasing home stablemate and star stayer Kyprios in a Group 3 event at Leopardstown, the Galileo gelding will be hoping he can repeat that effort here and off a hefty weight will be tough to beat if replicating that May run.
HIPOP DE LOIRE
(Colin Keane/Willie Mullins)
There’s a strong Irish contingent in this year’s contest and Hipop De Loire is a fascinating contender for Willie Mullins, as he was last seen finishing second in a maiden hurdle at Galway earlier this month. Returning to the Flat, the seven-year-old lines up off a mark of 107 here and he does have a Listed win to his name in Germany, but this is a tough assignment on his British debut, so he could be up against it.
EPIC POET
(Danny Tudhope/David O’Meara)
A fine runner-up in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June, David O’Meara’s Epic Poet then followed up with a decent performance to finish fifth in the John Smith’s Cup at York. Returning to that venue this afternoon, the five-year-old will have to deal with a 3lbs rise for that recent run, so a mark of 100 will be a tough ask. However, he heads into the contest on the Knavesmire in fine fettle and warrants notable respect.
THE FIELD
One of the most competitive betting heats on the calendar, the Ebor is a real headscratcher for punters and Andrew Balding’s Fairbanks is one that lines up in the form of his life. A winner at Newmarket, he then finished second at Goodwood behind Align The Stars and he’s one that is worthy of a second look. Naqeeb has struggled at times this season, but produced his best performance of the season last time out when second at Newbury over two miles, where he was given a lot to do. Magical Zoe is a classy dual-performer and was a winner at Down Royal two starts ago and is a class act on her day, while former Triumph Hurdle ante-post favourite Burdett Road aims to sparkle on the level.
Runner-up in the Group 3 Glorious Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last time out, Relentless Voyager will drop back to the handicap sphere here, but will have the burden of top weight in this contest, while the likes of My Mate Mozzie, Wise Eagle and Kihavah add more depth to the cracking showpiece race of the day.
VERDICT
The smartly bred NAQEEB has found life difficult this season to get his head in front, but he produced a fine run when staying on off the pace at Newbury last time out over two miles. The drop back in trip could aid his chances and the half-brother to Baaeed can finally get his name in lights here and get the better of the hugely consistent Fairbanks with Relentless Voyager showing his class and grabbing third place.
2024 Ebor Handicap Predicted 1-2-3
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