David Massey is back with his look ahead to today's racing, featuring three selections for day one of York's Ebor Festival.
Racing betting tips: Wednesday August 19
0.5pts e.w. Manxman in 16:10 York at 16/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3,4,5) - min 14/1
0.5pts e.w. Call Margot in 16:45 York at 40/1 (William Hill, Unibet 1/5 1,2,3,4,5) - min 33/1
0.5pts e.w. Brandenberg in 17:20 York at 28/1 (William Hill, Unibet 1/5 1,2,3) - min 25/1
16:10 York - Sky Bet Stayers Handicap
MANXMAN has been missing since last September, but he can run well fresh, going very close off a 225-day absence behind Rathgar at Goodwood in 2024 and running the classy Caballo De Mar to four lengths at Southwell on last season’s return when giving him weight. He’s best on good or slower turf with a handicap record on such ground of 1113321. He looks overpriced with that in mind and needs serious consideration here.
16:45 York - Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap
CALL MARGOT is one of those horses that's going to be hard to catch right, but this is going to set up for her in much the same way as the 3yo Dash did at Epsom, namely a whole host of trailblazers that should tee it up for a finisher, and given she’s eight times the price of her conqueror that day, Naana’s Sparkle, and there’s little between the two at the weights, it makes some sense to be with her. She has two ways of going, and we’ve seen the worst side of her on her last two starts, showing no interest at Goodwood last time and not much more at Hamilton the time before. But the better side of her saw her finish seventh here in May and then that unlucky second in the Dash, a race she really ought to have won. She has to be on a going day, that’s obvious, but there’s a good one in her when she fancies it.
17:20 York - Sky Bet Nursery Handicap
The one that looks too big here is BRANDENBERG, who has won two of his last three and in between those wins, was one of the paddock picks (despite being a huge price) for a novice race here, finishing an excellent second to Big Cigar, who was not disgraced in Group 2 company on his next start. He was strong at the finish over 6f at Hamilton last time too, so he stays well, and the speed figure backs up the visuals. The draw is not ideal, but that is factored into the price.
Preview posted 10:50 BST on 19/08/26
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