The Sky Bet Ebor Handicap rounds off four days of racing at York on Saturday, with 22 runners going to post in a notoriously difficult contest. Chief Tipster Jason Heavey provides his race-by-race guide for the final day.
Jason is one of the country's leading newspaper tipsters, having completed a rare double in 2023 by winning both the Racing Post Press Challenge and the Racing Post Naps Table. He is currently the leading red-top tipster in the National Press Challenge table.
Strensall Stakes and Melrose Handicap
In the 1.50 Strensall Stakes, Geryon is fancied to make the most of a significant drop in trip. Ger Lyons' three-year-old chased home Enceladus at Goodwood over 1m 4f, but his career best came over this shorter distance when winning the Group Three Meld Stakes in Ireland. Gary Carroll looks certain to go forward on the son of Lope de Vega, who will appreciate the soft ground. Persica, at 7-1, rates a fair each-way play.
Into The Light won a valuable handicap at Glorious Goodwood on just his fifth start and can go in again for Godolphin in the 2.25 Sky Bet Melrose Handicap. He comfortably beat Devil's Peak and should confirm the form despite an 8lb rise. Vantage Code appeals as a place punt after first-time headgear sparked improvement at Galway, and at 12-1 he has a nice profile.
City of York Stakes and Ebor Handicap
Ten Bob Tony can bag the £340,000 first prize in the 3.00 Sky Bet City of York Stakes, a wide-open Group One. Ed Walker's five-year-old is already a top-level winner this season in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and will relish the easy surface. Flora Of Bermuda is a cracking each-way punt at 18-1, as is Ed Bethell's Paborus, also 18-1, who has been waiting for soft ground.
Klassleader can strike for William Haggas and Tom Marquand in the 3.35 Sky Bet Ebor Handicap. The four-year-old won over the course and distance in May, and this race has been on his radar since. He disappointed at Newmarket last time, but the ground may have been too firm. Tarriance, Hopewell Rock, and the Willie Mullins pair Love Me Tender and Mr Hollywood are all major players, while Opportunity is overpriced at 14-1.
Constantine Handicap and Roses Stakes
Air Force One winged his way to victory on Wednesday at this meeting and can complete a rare double in the 4.10 Sky Bet Constantine Handicap. The quick turnaround is a concern, but he won with plenty in hand and can shrug off a 5lb penalty from a good draw. Hammer The Hammer should outrun his massive odds of 40-1.
Adonius was a gallant second at Goodwood in the Molecomb Stakes and can go one better in the 4.45 Julia Graves Roses Stakes. The easy ground will suit him, and he has a high cruising speed and a finishing kick. Dorigo is still a maiden, but his early speed will be an asset, and at 12-1 he has claims of a podium place.
Dav Reid Finale Handicap
Castle Stuart has a good record at York and deserves to win a nice race in the 5.20 Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap. He has a tendency to pull hard, so will have to switch off, but he has a great chance at a big price of 18-1. Al Aaali did this tipster a favour when winning at Goodwood and can get among the prize money again.
