The York Ebor Festival has become one of the highlights of the summer, and we’ve picked out four horse racing tips for punters to consider at the Knavesmire this week.
Over £7million in prize money will be up for grabs during the four-day spectacular, which now features a quartet of Group One contests.
York Festival Best Bet Selections
Wednesday
The £1.25m Juddmonte International is currently rated the Longines Best Race in the World, and while this year’s field is small in quantity, it is again packed with quality. Japanese raider Danon Decile and leading French hope Daryz add to the interest, but our vote goes to Irish star DELACROIX (3.35) @ 2/1.
Aidan O’Brien secured a record seventh success in this race with City Of Troy last term and is taken to add to that tally. Delacroix disappointed when favourite for the Derby, but bounced back to form when storming home to edge out the reopposing Ombudsman to claim Group One glory in the Eclipse at Sandown.
Despite now being 3lb worse off at the weights, the three-year-old should only be getting stronger, and in a similarly small field, having master tactician Ryan Moore on board is always a major boost.
Thursday
Ballydoyle stablemate Minnie Hauk is hard to oppose in the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks but will be a short price, so let’s rely instead on BULLET POINT (3.00) in the Clipper Handicap @3/1
The William Haggas-trained four-year-old was an excellent second of 30 in the Royal Hunt Cup when chasing home firm favourite My Cloud. Tom Marquand may have just kicked for home a touch too soon when Bullet Point returned to Ascot for another hotly-contested handicap last month, with the gelding collared late on by Fearnot.
Although creeping up the rankings for those two runner-up efforts, he remains a horse to follow.
Friday
Flying juvenile Lady Iman receives an attractive weight allowance in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes, but preference is still for ASFOORA (3.35).
Henry Dwyer’s Australian speedster was a beaten favourite in this contest 12 months ago after winning at Royal Ascot and going down by just a short-head at Glorious Goodwood.
This season, she could only manage fifth and seventh at those earlier festivals but wasn’t beaten too far, and the feeling is that there is more to come.
Having travelled over later than last term, Dwyer admitted his charge took time to sharpen back up, but everything should be spot on here, and a slick surface will also suit.
Saturday
Having been rerouted from a trip to France due to a bruised foot, Richard Hannon’s Rosallion will be all the rage for the City of York Stakes following its promotion to Group One status.
However, we’re sticking with the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap for our Saturday selection, as HIPOP DE LOIRE (3.35) seeks to give Ireland a third straight triumph in this £500,000 feature.
His trainer Willie Mullins struck with Absurde two years ago, and Magical Zoe justified favouritism for Henry de Bromhead last term, when Hipop De Loire was an unlucky fifth after being repeatedly denied a clear run.
The eight-year-old has clearly been laid out for this return to the Knavesmire and warmed up with a comfortable win at Galway over hurdles.
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