Horse Racing: York Ebor Festival Day 3 Preview & Tips

It’s the third day of the Ebor Festival from York with five top-quality races shown live by the ITV Racing cameras.

It’s all about speed on Day 3 of Ebor Festival meeting with the feature race of the day being the 5f Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes in which we will see star sprinter Battaash in the line-up.

So after a pretty good day on Thursday, here’s our racing expert to take a look at the fancied runners across the big races and hopefully point you in the direction of a winner or two.

13:45
1m 4f Handicap
(Class 2)

Mark Johnston runs two here in a race he’s won a couple of occasions in the past as Zabeel Champion looks like being the yard’s main chance after this 3-year-old’s solid second-place effort at Glorious Goodwood. That was over 10f and the way he finished that day suggested this step up 2 furlongs would suit and Ryan Moore is once again in the saddle.

The lightly raced John Gosden trained Alfaatik is a little harder to assess stepping into handicap company for the first time. He has not been seen since a below-par effort at listed 455 days but no doubt connection thinks the ability is there and he returns after a gelding operation.

Ian Williams is another trainer to be doubly represented. Restorer looked like a step up in trip would be no bad move when finishing second at Chester recently and should be thereabouts once more.

At bigger odds though a chance is taken on Byron Flyer bouncing back to form. The 9-year-old is vulnerable to younger less exposed rivals but his two recent runs have not been without promise that plenty of the ability remains.

He makes each-way appeal down now to a rating of 101 and under conditions which he has done plenty winning in the past.

Selection: Byron Flyer (Each Way)

14:15
2m Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes
(Group 2) British Champions Series

Glorious Goodwood winner Enbihaar receives a handy 3lb mares’ allowance from her rivals and this consistent mare should go close once more.

Dashing Willoughby arrives in good heart being unbeaten in two starts this season. Those victories however came at Listed and Group 3 level and this looks a stronger contest so more will be required.

Nayef Road is going to find nothing of Stradivarius level in this race and after chasing the super stayer home on the last 2 occasions comes here with the best form on offer and the Mark Johnston runner would be the choice from the market principals.

Eagles By Day finished over 4 lengths behind Nayef Road at Goodwood but that was his first effort over this type of trip and its interesting connections are having another try once more. A course winner here at York the time before it would not be a surprise if we see him reverse the form on this occasion.

Selection: Eagles By Day

14:45
6f Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes
(Group 2)

The one raced Mohawk King looked a nice type when winning on debut at Ascot and is taken to follow up that success in this higher grade.

The Richard Hannon trained runner had the re-opposing Minzaal held in fourth that day and with the Mehmas colt since going on to frank the form with a victory himself at Salisbury next time.

Yazaman sets the standard based on his placed efforts at Group 2 level but lacks the scope of his main rivals.

Selection: Mohawk King (NAP)

15:15
5f Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes
(Group 1) British Champions Series

This looks a straightforward opportunity for Battaash to notch up another Group 1 success. Well clear on ratings there looks no obvious reason why he won’t run to that level once more complete a hat-trick of victories this season.

Art Power is an improving 3-year-old who adds an interesting angle to the race but despite the promise he has shown when winning a handicap at Ascot and a Group 3 at Naas recently this again is another big step forward.

Moss Gill has never been out the frame on 4 occasions here at York including 2 victories and could be the one to chase the strong favourite home

Selection: Battaash

15:45
7f British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes
(Class 2)

Naval Crown sets the standard based on his third-place finish in a Listed race at York last time and a reproduction of that effort will see this Dubawi colt go close in his bid to break his maiden tag at the third attempt.

Tawleed showed plenty of promise when finishing second in a valuable maiden at Glorious Goodwood. There were clear signs off in experience that day and more improvement should follow. The step-up to 7f looks the right move and a bold showing is expected from the John Gosden runner.

Rushmore looks in need of the experience when making his debut at Newbury 34 days ago with Andrew Balding runners generally coming on for their first outing and this Lope De Vega colt is another interesting runner.

Selection: Tawleed (Next Best)