Superstar jockey Ryan Moore is already amongst the winners at York’s Ebor Festival, after steering Continuous to an impressive victory in the Great Voltigeur Stakes on Wednesday.
He has a further six rides on Thursday’s card, with his biggest chance coming on board Savethelastdance in the Yorkshire Oaks. After flying home in the Irish Oaks, can she follow up in what looks a strong renewal?
Speaking to Betfair, Ryan talks through all six of his rides chances below.
1.50 – Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Group 2)
Cherry Blossom
Relief Rally probably goes into the race as the form horse and Flora Of Bermuda was very impressive in a lesser grade at Goodwood, but we have to be hopeful about Cherry Blossom given the manner of her win at the Curragh.
Sure, it was only a maiden, and probably not the strongest of Curragh maidens in truth, but she could do no more than win as she did and I’d like to think she is well worth her place in the line-up.
2.25 – Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes (Class 2)
Dragon Leader
He did well to win on his debut at Salisbury back in June and he went back to that track to win a novice under a penalty last time. I’m not sure what that form amounts to, as nothing has come out of the race since, but you can’t knock what he has done so far, and hopefully he can step up again here.
3.00 – Clipper Handicap (Class 2)
Sonny Liston
Second in the Hunt Cup, he probably didn’t last home over an extended 1m2f here next time, but he probably didn’t run far off that Ascot form when a good fifth at Goodwood recently. Dropped 2lb for that, he has a fair chance at the weights.
3.35 – Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1)
Savethelastdance
This looks a very strong renewal depth-wise, without lacking a clear standard-setter. The Nassau winner Al Husn probably just about leads the way but many of these are snapping at her heels, including Savethelastdance.
Everyone has her pigeon-holed as a filly who needs testing ground, and she does probably prefer it, but let’s not forget she finished second in an Oaks on a quick surface. She showed tenacity to go with her class to get up to beat Bluestocking in the Irish Oaks last time, so of course she has a leading chance here.
Warm Heart wasn’t seen to best effect in that Classic but her Ribblesdale defeat of Lumiere Rock, having previously beaten Bluestocking at Newbury, suggests she shouldn’t be underestimated here, either.
4.10 – British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (Class 1 Listed)
One Evening
Clearly, there is no stand-out in here, so pretty much everything has a chance of sorts. I have ridden the Galileo filly a couple of times and she looks to have run her best race when second at Pontefract last time. Trip and ground look fine, and she has her chance.
5.20 – British EBF 40th Anniversary Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2)
Royal Dress
She finished third for me in testing ground at the Chester May meeting, and she clearly handles that surface very well, but she has form on good to firm and she ran well when fourth over a mile at Goodwood last time.
A 3lb rise for that run looks on the harsh side, even if you can mark up that effort as she finished off well after having to wait for a run, but hopefully there is more in the tank. The step down to 7f should be okay, as she has plenty of 6f form.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Value Pointers and Punts – Ebor Festival Days One + Two Tips
Matthew Sutcliffe talks us through his bets for the first two days of the Ebor Festival at York. He’s confident with one in the Acomb Stakes, as well as an E/W tip in the opener and a win tip in the final race on day one, whilst he also puts up four tips on the…
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