Battersea and Shrewd the each-way Ebor picks
David Metcalf | August 19, 2016
Battersea and Shrewd each-way value in Ebor
Battersea and Shrewd look decent each-way value in a typically fierce and wide-open renewal of the 1m 6f Ebor Handicap at York (16.00).
The former is trained by Roger Varian and has posted some really solid efforts this season.
After landing a competitive handicap at Meydan back in February, Battersea ran a blinder in a Group 3 contest at the same venue when staying on in eye-catching fashion to finish a 4 1/2 length fourth of 14 to the now 113-rated Sheikhzayedroad.
It was a fine effort given how the race panned out, and there was also lots to like about the five-year-old’s run at Newmarket when fourth to Big Orange in the Group 2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes following a 126 day break.
After being held-up well off the pace by Andrea Atzeni, Battersea kept on nicely to be nearest at the finish and beaten 6 1/2 lengths.
Form reads well
The winner has since gone on to land the Goodwood Cup for a second time and the third home Exosphere, who finished 3 1/2 lengths in front of the selection, was rated 119 going into the contest and has since run a blinder to finish fifth behind Postponed in the Group 1 Juddmonte Stakes at this meeting earlier in the week.
That is strong form and Battersea has since been far from disgraced in the Group 3 Geoffrey Stakes where despite finishing last of five he travelled well for much of the race until weakening late on to be beaten 3 3/4 lengths.
With those two runs under his belt Battersea should now be spot on to do himself justice and connections are now fitting him with a hood for the first time.
If the new headgear has the desired effect he looks nicely treated on the pick of his form off a mark of 107 now dropped back into handicap company.
Shrewd has plenty going for him
Shrewd has transformed since joining trainer Iain Jardine, winning three times over the jumps and twice on the level.
The six-year-old is clearly thriving was very impressive on his penultimate outing over course and distance when romping to a wide-margin success.
After being held-up towards the rear, Shrewd made stealthy headway a furlong from home to take up the running inside the last and forge clear to beat Rite To Reign by 3 1/4 lengths off a mark of 89.
Although now 11lb higher in the weights the son of Street Sense now drops back into handicap company having finished a highly creditable fifth to Pamona in a Listed contest over course and distance when last seen in action.
Course and distance form a big plus
That form reads well in the context of this contest and connections have themselves been ‘shrewd’ in securing the services of useful 7lb claimer Clifford Lee to do the steering.
Taking his claim into account Shrewd is running off a mark just 4lb higher than when last successful and that gives him a big shout at the weights.
Shrewd is also versatile as regards ground, has bagged a good draw in stall 10, and his course form is another big plus.
Related
For more horse racing content, check out our dedicated archive.
Coral’s top tip: Battersea and Shrewd look to have the right profiles for the Ebor and represent decent each-way value in a fiendishly competitive renewal of the 1m 6f handicap.
