Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: York Ebor Festival Day 3 Tips
FRIDAY RACING TIPS
York 1.50 – Mile Handicap
Eklleem (15/2) is a lightly raced horse for trainer William Haggas with William Buick in the saddle and runs in a handicap for the very first time here.
He won very nicely on his last start at Ripon. Still looks like a horse that’s learning and progressing – that was a nice performance and he could well be off a nice mark.
Eklleem is up into a big-field handicap here so he must be showing plenty of promise and William’s first-time handicappers this season have been warranting plenty of respect and are worth following.
Megan’s Tip: Eklleem WIN
York 2.25 – Lonsdale Cup Stakes
I’ve gone Amiloc (11/4), who was unlucky when tripping out the stalls at Goodwood. We can put a line through that.
Prior to that, he actually ran nicely in the Hardwicke. He’s obviously gone well at York in the past and he’s interesting up to this trip as a horse that has a lot of talent.
Things haven’t gone his way a couple of times but I wouldn't be giving up on him.
Amiloc is big and probably needed a run or two and, obviously, at Goodwood it was a write-off as soon as the gates opened.
I think there’s plenty to come from him and, as I say, up to this trip could unlock further improvement.
Bits of rain at York means the ground is slightly on the slower side than what we expected, but he won’t mind that.
He’s a big horse with big action and I think he could enjoy it.
Megan’s Tip: Amiloc WIN
York 3.00 – Gimcrack Stakes
In the Gimcrack I like Mrair (11/2), who won nicely at Lingfield on his second start and was upped in grade for the Coventry thereafter.
But he had no luck in running. He was only beaten by two lengths in the end and got stopped in his path; really got checked and lost momentum.
So I think there is more to come from this horse. He’s proven that he’s capable – the distance he was beaten was not far and the Coventry is a race that’s worked out well.
They are keeping him at this level. They had every opportunity to drop him back down but this has probably been a bit of an aim following on from Royal Ascot.
He’s a horse that has got his quirks. He was ponied to the start at Ascot and he may well have a pony to accompany him once again – but that’s something we do see from one or two of the George Scott runners.
But I definitely think he’s a horse that has plenty of ability and he’s not quite as exposed as some of the others in the field.
Megan’s Tip: Mrair WIN
York 3.35 – Nunthorpe Stakes
With the rain about, I’m going Rayevka (7/2 fav) in the Nunthorpe.
She’s a horse that does love to get her toe in. She’s talented.
Just caught at Ascot last time, but a winner on soft ground prior to that; a pretty consistent, solid sprinter who has proven to be very capable at this level.
I think that the conditions could suit and, especially if there’s more rain in the next couple of days, that should play into her favour even more.
Fillies have a nice enough record in this race over previous seasons, so Rayevka for the Nunthorpe to go back to France.
Megan’s Tip: Rayevka WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
