The curtain rises on the magnificent York Ebor Festival this Thursday, and the ITV cameras are rolling to capture all the action from the Knavesmire. To help you find a winner, our resident tipster Newsboy has dissected the card and delivered his expert verdict.
Newsboy's NAP of the Day: A Standout Bet in the opener
All eyes will be on the opening race, the Sky Bet Handicap (1.50), and Newsboy is sweet on the chances of the William Haggas-trained BOTANICAL. This lightly-raced son of Sea The Stars has been gelded over the winter and looked seriously impressive when bolting up on his seasonal reappearance at Newbury. The form of that race has been franked, and with the potential for more improvement on just his fifth career start, he gets the confident NAP vote at an attractive price.
Each-Way Value in the Great Voltigeur
The feature race of the day is the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes (3.00), a key trial for the St Leger. While the favourite will be tough to beat, Newsboy has identified COCKTAIL HOUR as a live each-way contender. This Andrew Balding charge was a good second in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and will relish the step back up in trip. The fast ground at York is a major positive, and he could outrun his odds.
Closing Handicap Could Provide a Spark
The competitive Concluding Handicap (4.45) brings the day's ITV action to a close, and it's another race where Newsboy has found value. He advises keeping a close eye on the well-handicapped SPARKLING for trainer David O'Meara. A course and distance winner, this filly has been dropped to a very tempting mark by the handicapper and is expected to be primed for a big run fresh off a break.
Full Newsboy Tips Summary:
- 1.50 York: BOTANICAL (NAP) - 11/2
- 3.00 York: COCKTAIL HOUR (NB) - Each-Way
- 4.45 York: SPARKLING - Each-Way Value
Remember, always gamble responsibly. The thrill of the festival is in the spectacle, so enjoy the racing!
