A preview of the key ante-post markets for the Ebor Festival at York
Published:
Nunthorpe and International Stakes odds and preview
The Ebor Festival from York gets underway next Wednesday and features seven Group contests alongside the £311,250 Ebor Handicap.
All of the top quality action from the four-day meeting on the Knavesmire will be screened live on ITV. And the Coral News Team has chalked up the key ante-post markets ahead of the summer spectacular.
Juddmonte International Stakes (3:35pm, Wednesday 22nd August)
The highlight of Wednesday and indeed of the entire week could see five of the flat’s most exciting names face-off over 1m 2f in the Juddmonte International Stakes.
King George & Queen Elizabeth VI Stakes winner Poet’s Word is currently priced up as the 9/4 favourite. Duke of Marmalade was the last horse to complete the double in the same season back in 2008.
Sir Michael Stoute’s charge could face competition from Coral-Eclipse winner Roaring Lion (3/1), returning superstar Enable (4/1) and 2,000 Guineas victor Saxon Warrior (5/1). Cracksman, Benbatl and Crystal Ocean could also go to post.
Yorkshire Oaks (3:35pm, Thursday 23rd August)
Laurens looks set to be one of the standout names to contest Thursday’s renewal for trainer Karl Burke.
The Siyouni filly is a dual-Group 1 winner over in France and could take on Epsom Oaks winner Forever Together and Irish Oaks victor Sea Of Class among others in the 1m 4f contest for fillies and mares.
Lonsdale Cup (2:25pm, Friday 24th August)
The Stayers’ Million is on for Stradivarius. John Gosden’s four-year-old has already won the Yorkshire Cup, the Ascot Gold Cup and the Goodwood Cup and now needs only the Lonsdale Cup to collect the £1m prize.
He’ll go off as favourite for the Group 2 contest, with recent rival Torcedor set to be his main challenger once again.
Nunthorpe Stakes (3:35pm, Friday 24th August)
Marsha pulled off a huge shock in this renewal 12 months ago when getting the better of Lady Aurelia and Battaash. The latter is the only one of the trio left remaining and is 4/7 to build on her recent 4l distance win in the King George Qatar Stakes with a first success at York.
Charles Hills’ charge is by far and away the classiest operator in a field which should also includes US Navy Flag at 5/1 and impressive King’s Stand Stakes winner Blue Point at 11/2.
Ebor Handicap (3:40pm, Saturday 25th August)
Eight of the last 10 winners of the Ebor Handicap have come at a double-figure price. But who will follow in Nakeeta’s footsteps from last year and land the most valuable flat handicap in Europe?
Owner Tony Bloom has made a habit of winning these big prizes and he looks set to go again with 4/1 shot Stratum. He’s followed by Blakeney Point (8/1), Chelkar (10/1) and the consistent Hamada at 10/1 for Charlie Appleby.
Bigger priced horses may be the way to go closer to the day when declarations for the race are confirmed.
What else is there to enjoy?
There’s plenty more great action to enjoy across the week, with markets set to be published shortly for the Group 2 trio of the Great Voltigeur Stakes (Wednesday), Lowther Stakes (Thursday) and Gimcrack Stakes (Friday).
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
