Ebor Festival Saturday tips: Kellstorm weighted to strike in Melrose

David Metcalf | August 19, 2016

Kellstorm can blow away Melrose rivals

Kellstorm can take advantage of what looks a handy mark to land the 1m 6f Melrose Stakes on the final day of York’s Ebor Festival (14:50).

The Aidan O’Brien trained colt has only had four starts and ran a race full of promise on seasonal reappearance when a staying on four length third to stable companion and subsequent Investec Derby runner-up US Army Ranger in a 1m 2f maiden at The Curragh.

Kellstorm then appreciated the step up to 1m 4f when getting off the mark in good style at Tipperary and staying on strongly to beat Evening Hush going away by 1 1/2 lengths.

The three-year-old has since run well to finish runner-up to Ebediyn at Naas where he had the now 109-rated Sword Fighter 1/2 a length behind in third.

Bred to appreciate step up in trip

Judged on that effort, and his third behind US Army Ranger where he finished 3 1/4 lengths in front of the fourth home The Major General who is now rated 109, a mark of 92 looks very exploitable.

The son of Galileo is also a half-brother to top class stayer Order Of St George and should have even more to offer now stepped up in trip.

Diploma to deliver in Strensall Stakes

Diploma has a highly progressive profile and can take the step up into Group 3 company in her stride to land the 1m Strensall Stakes (14.15).

The Sir Michael Stoute trained filly has won three of her last five starts and was very impressive in the last of those when slamming Fireglow by 3 1/4 lengths over 1m 2f at this venue.

After being held-up the three-year-old made smooth headway to take up the running two from home and shot clear a furlong out before being eased close home.

Diploma won with tons in hand and the manner of the victory suggested she was on a serious upward curve and needed keeping firmly onside.

This demands more but the daughter of Dubawi is now unbeaten in two runs at the track and looks up to the task.

Mubtasim makes plenty of appeal in Gimcrack

Mubtasim has created a huge impression in winning both his starts and can complete the hat-trick in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes (15.25).

After scoring cosily on debut at Yarmouth, the William Haggas trained juvenile looked a top notch performer in the making when forging clear to beat Town Charter by 4 1/2 lengths at Haydock.

Mubtasim dwelt at the start but quickly made up the lost ground and after cruising into the lead a furlong from home showed a devastating foot to quickly put the race to bed.

The runner up, and third home Private Matter who was beaten a total of seven lengths, had both won their previous starts and the way in which Mubtasim destroyed them suggested he had a huge engine and was well worth a crack at this level.

Field Of Vision each-way value in finale

Field Of Vision has dropped to a dangerous mark and looks a lively outsider in the 5f handicap that brings proceedings to a close on a cracking card (17.05).

The Joseph Tuite trained gelding had some very smart for to his name as a juvenile, including when finishing an excellent 2 1/2 length runner-up to the now top class sprinter Quiet Reflection in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes off an official rating of 102.

Field Of Vision also ran well to finish runner-up on his first two starts this season off a mark of 106 but has subsequently failed to fire in four outings.

However, that has resulted in the handicapper cutting the three-year-old plenty of slack and he is now able to race off a reduced rating of just 94.

It makes Field Of Vision dangerously well-treated if bouncing back to anything like his best.