1m6f (1m5f188y) Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (4yo+)
Earl Of Tyrone has been all the rage for this event over the last few weeks with Paddy Twomey’s yard attracting plenty of attention. He is potentially well-in for this race, but he is yet to encouter a handicap of this calibre and could be caught out by the pace of the contest.
The Irish have had a fantastic record in recent years and I really like the profile of the Jessica Harringont trained EVER PRESENT. Ever Present started off his career in soft ground bumpers running behind the likes of Cheltenham winner Sir Gerhard and Grand National winner Noble Yeats. Before a switch to fast ground and flat racing turned him into a revelation, he won 3/4 last season on the flat including a hugely taking victory over 1m 5f in a 23-runner Leopardstown Premier Handicap last September.
The yard have kept him for this ever since and gave him a prep run at Down Royal to set him up for this. This type of race should suit him perfectly and if he can find the form he had last year then he shouldn’t be far away.
The Ebor tends to go to a horse with Pattern level ability and I think the market may have overlooked the chances of ENEMY who is dropping back into handicap company having finished behind in the 2m Group 1 Goodwood Cup. Still lightly-raced over marathon trips, Enemy bolted up in a Musselbrough handicap over this distance back in May before going extremely close to landing the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes behind Princess Zoe and Lonsdale Cup winner, Quickthorn. He has had excuses for his last few runs and I think this track and trip should suit him well with a fast-pace up front. Odds of 18/1 look juicy for this well-bred son of Muhaarar and he is worth a crack at this.
Okita Soushi, Candleford and Gaassee all look like exciting prospects, but none of them have sufficient handicap experience to make me think they are fully battle-hardened for this.
1pt each-way Ever Present @14/1, (1-7 places, 1/5 odds with Paddy Power)
1pt each-way Enemy @18/1, 15:35 York, Saturday (1-7 places, 1/5 odds with Paddy Power)