Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: York Ebor Festival Day 4 Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
York 1.50 – Strensall Stakes
In the Strensall Stakes I’m going with Persica (6/1), who gets his optimum conditions as a horse that loves a bit of cut in the ground.
He’s had another really solid campaign, managing to win at Newbury last time, and has been as solid as he always seems to be throughout the season.
He does really enjoy the cut and he hasn’t had that on many an occasion this term.
So the fact that he does get that slower ground is a big plus to his chances and I think can go well again.
Megan’s Tip: Persica WIN
York 2.25 – Melrose Handicap
I like Into The Light (15/2), who’s stepping up in distance for the first time here and stayed well at Goodwood.
He’s a horse that’s still relatively lightly raced and open to further progression. I also thought the step up in trip could help him improve plenty.
In terms of the ground, it is drying back up and it does dry quickly at York, so we’ve had a dry enough day Friday so the ground is probably going to be on the quicker side of good to soft if it does continue to dry out.
I’d be looking at horses that just like that middle ground, and Into The Light seems to be thriving and versatile in terms of track.
York should suit him, the distance should suit him and the drying ground will be a plus.
Megan’s Tip: Into The Light WIN
York 3.00 – City Of York Stakes
Got to go with the loveable Notable Speech (10/3 fav), our Lockinge winner this year.
It didn’t quite happen at Ascot for him but dropping back down to seven won’t be an issue. He’s got plenty of speed and a great turn of foot.
If they go quick in front that will just help him settle into the race and William Buick will be able to ask him to quicken up in the closing stages.
He’s the class angle in here. It’s not the strongest renewal we’ve seen but I do think he will be the one that gets the race set up to suit.
There’s plenty of pace on, as you’d expect, and that will play in his favour too.
Satono Reve (9/1) ran extremely well in the July Cup last time when going a good gallop and then staying on again in the closing stages.
It’s interesting he’s up to the seven. Maybe he’s the each-way angle in here… but Notable Speech for the win.
Megan’s Tip: Notable Speech WIN & Satono Reve E/W
York 3.35 – Ebor Handicap
I’m going with Emit (13/2) here.
He ran well in the Duke of Edinburgh, looked as though he was staying on quite nicely, but hasn’t run since – I imagine because they wouldn’t want him to run, win and get a penalty.
He comes in here relatively nicely weighted and with Ryan Moore booked to ride. Joseph O’Brien continues to be in good form and I think that the step up in distance is the key here.
This horse has been running well in some decent races. I’m sure there’s a big handicap in him at some stage. And I just think that the flat track and the extra distance are going to help him.
I can see him staying the distance well.
My each-way shout is Square Necker (12/1), who runs for Amo Racing. He’s lightly raced and looks as though he’s improving – looks overpriced at around that 12/1 mark.
The team felt as if he could progress to be a stakes horse and a black-type performer so the fact that he’s remaining in handicaps for now means there could be more to come from him.
He’s the type to continue improving and he stayed very well over the 1m 5f at Hamilton – which is a stiff track – last time so there’s plenty to like about him.
Megan’s Tip: Emit WIN & Square Necker E/W
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
