York Ebor Festival Ante-Post Tips: Three tips for the action on the Knavesmire
We are two weeks away from the start of York's Ebor Festival, which sees the cream of the crop do battle on the Knavesmire with the likes of Baaeed, Stradivarius and Emily Upjohn all expected to strut their stuff over the four-day Flat extravaganza. Our man Steve Chambers has taken a look at the action between August 17-20 and picks out his three best ante-post bets for the week...
Wednesday 17th August - Great Voltigeur Stakes
Charlie Appleby's St Leger favourite New London hasn't been entered for the Great Voltigeur Stakes on day one of the Ebor Festival, but the Godolphin handler should still have a strong team heading to the Knavesmire for the Group 2 contest with Secret State, Walk Of Stars and WARREN POINT all potentially flying the flag for his team.
Secret State is the shortest in the betting at 6/1 and is the obvious first choice contender for team Appleby, but in Warren Point they have an emerging star that could well turn into a very smart stayer in the coming months and years and at 16/1 he looks a mouth-watering each-way play.
Not entered in the St Leger, the son of Dubawi has obviously surprised connections this season and having notched up three wins from four career starts he looks to be hugely progressive and capable of a lot more. He was last seen beating stablemate Blue Trail in a handicap contest at Glorious Goodwood, and it was at the finish of that 1m 1f 197y contest that saw him do all his best work. Staying on imperiously, he shaped like he would relish the step up to 1m 3f 188y, and he could well produce a stunning performance in a race that lacks significantly strong players at the head of the betting. Francesco Clemente is a hot favourite for the contest, but beyond that charge it's wide open and Warren Point could be a notable springer in the betting in the next two weeks ahead of the Voltigeur.
#AD 18+ Deposit and bet on any sportsbook markets of your choice at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first days losses as a Free Bet up to £50 plus 50 Free Spins. Min. 3 bets required. If your account is up, you’ll receive a £5 Free Bet regardless Plus 10 Free Spins. Use coupon code "5050" at registration. UK 18+ T&Cs Apply. Always Gamble Responsibly.
Friday 19th August - Nunthorpe Stakes
James Tate's unbeaten Royal Aclaim is a red-hot favourite for the Nunthorpe Stakes, which takes place on day three of the Ebor Festival, and three wins from three runs have catapulted the daughter of Aclaim to the top of the sprinting ladder and she's a 5/2 market leader to claim Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes glory on August 19.
Hugely progressive, the recent Listed City Walls Stakes winner showed she can produce the goods at York, but this is a whole new ball game as she steps up into top class company and at the prices it's hard to get too enthused with her chances of maintaining her 100% record.
The 2022 running of the Nunthorpe could well lack a bit of strength in depth, but a proven Group 1 winner that could relish the return to this meeting is EMARAATY ANA, who was a gallant runner-up in this event last season before he went on and bounded to victory in the Sprint Cup at Haydock Park.
A best-priced 20/1, at the time of writing, Emaraaty Ana failed to land any sort of blow in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, but showed glimpses he was finding some form last time out when sixth in the July Cup at Newmarket. Just weakening in the closing stages of that event, Kevin Ryan's six-year-old could enjoy the drop back to five furlongs here, and with his customary tactics of going hard from the start likely to be adopted then he could well have a few out of their comfort zone and he's worth a nibble at.
Saturday 20th August - Ebor Handicap
One of the showpiece races of the entire week is the hugely valuable Ebor Handicap and William Haggas could well try and taste victory in the marathon event for the first time with CANDLEFORD, who was a mightily impressive winner at Royal Ascot, and could have huge potential off a mark of 104.
Available at 14/1, the four-year-old son of Kingman was one of the easiest winners at the Royal meeting back in June, as he sauntered to a six length victory over recent winner Ajero in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes off a mark of 91. Rocketing up the weights in the aftermath of that event, he failed to recapture his best next time out when finishing mid-division at Newmarket off his new mark of 104, but that did only come just over three weeks after his fine Ascot win.
With over a month off the track since, Haggas could well get him back to firing on all cylinders come the middle of August, and while the trainer believes he could be slightly better going right-handed, but he could be one of the real potential Group stayers lining up in the field, and at double-figured odds he looks a decent bet in the ante-post markets.