Fran Berry fancies Mekong in the Ebor
Fran Berry fancies Mekong in the Ebor

Fran Berry column ahead of Sky Bet Ebor day at York including Mekong in the big race


Mekong represents outstanding value in the Sky Bet Ebor at York on Saturday, according to former top jockey Fran Berry.

It's been a cracking week at York helped by a few winners along the way including three on Thursday, but all eyes are now on Saturday's £1million Sky Bet Ebor.

With the sponsors offering eight places for each-way punters it's fair to have at least a couple of darts but my number one pick would definitely be Mekong.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore, he was fourth in the Melrose from a wide draw here last year, having cut out much of the running that day.

He's mixed in pretty warm company this season and his only blot came on bad ground when he just completely over-raced. I'm happy to put a line through that despite it coming here at York.

He's better judged on his close second to Falcon Eight at Sandown last time and it was great to see him get back on track. He's got a good draw (stall three) on the inside which should ensure he gets cover and relaxes in the early stages.

He's capable of winning the race from a mark of 110 and rates serious value at around 16/1 at the time of writing.

Raheen House has looked progressive again in his two starts for William Haggas, both of which have come at this track. He's been trained for the race, clearly, and also has a kind draw in stall nine.

True Self has to be respected for Willie Mullins and is probably a mare we'll be hearing a bit more from during the winter, while I've got to mention each-way fancy Barsanti too as he has a touch of class and has come a long way down the weights.

He's seven now but it looks like Roger Varian has aimed at this race for a while which makes sense given the horse's great course record. First-time blinkers might just spark him back to life and he'd be the one to go with Mekong.

EIGHT places available in the Sky Bet Ebor
EIGHT places available in the Sky Bet Ebor

The day starts with the Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes and Wissahickon returns to action following his layoff since getting turned over on Good Friday.

He's still pretty unexposed on turf and warrants respect but a fast pace seems to suit him and it will be interesting to see how this develops. Perhaps Frankie will try and make the running on him but it's hard to be sure.

Zaaki is a Group Two winner and ran well enough in the circumstances at Goodwood, while Bangkok isn't a slow horse and could be if interest down in trip, but I'd just about side with Forest Ranger who is a solid enough type at this level and could be over-priced at 10/1.

The Sky Bet Melrose Handicap is a big-field puzzle but does feature my bet of the day in Aidan O'Brien's Eminence.

He's been placed at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood and smacks of a horse who will thrive for the move up to a mile and three-quarters here.

I still suspect there's mileage in his revised mark of 96, up 1lb since his third to Sir Ron Priestley at Goodwood.

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Laurens looks like being favourite in the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes and I can see why, but she was running in the Yorkshire Oaks here 12 months ago and dropping all the way to seven furlongs now does pose a new question.

She's been strong in the final furlong of her mile races and her presence in the field could just offer some value elsewhere. I like Speak In Colours who is bred for this seven furlong trip and didn't get a clear run at Goodwood last time. He's worth another chance for Joseph O'Brien.

Alligator Alley should also go well for O'Brien junior in the Julia Graves Roses Stakes after he got hampered at Goodwood. The form got a boost to some extent with Liberty Beach second in the Lowther too so he's a threat but Wonderwork is very well touted and it was hard not to be impressed by his debut win.

His sire Night Of Thunder has made a great start and this could be quite an exciting colt.

I've no strong views in the final two races but Tudor City is obviously in good heart still and he runs in the 10-furlong Sky Bet Handicap having been ballotted out of the mile and a half handicap here on Friday. I've no doubt he can win off a BHA rating of 81 but the trip is a big question mark for Tony Martin's versatile seven-year-old.


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