Daily Star Chief Tipster Jason Heavey, one of the country's leading newspaper tipsters, shares his selections for the coming week and beyond. In 2023, he achieved the rare double of winning both the Racing Post Press Challenge and the Racing Post Naps Table. He also had a brilliant few days at Glorious Goodwood, including five winners on day one. He is currently the leading “red-top” tipster in the National Press Challenge table.
Ante-Post Focus: York Ebor Festival
The York Ebor Festival has been described as the “Royal Ascot of the North”. The four-day meeting kicks off next Wednesday (August 19) and is already gearing up to be fantastic sport. The Sky Bet Ebor itself is on the final day, with bookies going 10-1 the field.
This Week's Tips
Running plans are fluid for many leading contenders, but Jason is hoping that TARRIANCE will line up. Andrew Balding's four-year-old was a huge eyecatcher when third at Goodwood recently, hitting the front before finishing an honourable third with a big weight. That was his first run since the Yorkshire Cup in May, and York is where Tarriance gained his finest moment when winning the Melrose Handicap at last year's Ebor meeting. He has been nibbled at in the market from 25-1 into 14s.
If Joseph O'Brien sends Gordon Stakes winner ENCELADUS to the Great Voltigeur Stakes, the 10-1 looks good value. He is highly progressive, and although Derby winner Christmas Day and runner-up Maltese Cross could take their chance, Enceladus looks a bit overpriced.
REGIONAL ROCK (3.00) is a strong fancy to win at Salisbury on Wednesday after a terrific race at Windsor from an almost impossible draw. COUNTER INTUITIVE, an improving filly who won at Newmarket last month, runs at Salisbury on Thursday night and off a 4lb higher rating still looks well treated. DONTLOOKBACKINANGA showed promise on debut at Sandown and is worth noting at Newbury on Friday.
Future Winners
EMPIRICAL won as he liked at Ayr and the handicapper has only put him up 4lb. He is entered at Newbury on Saturday. EVENFALL was a cosy debut winner and is well entered up in better races, and should follow up if she takes up her weekend entry.
