Mike Cattermole's York tips for day four of the Ebor Festival
Mike Cattermole thinks Nakeeta can win back-to-back Sky Bet Ebor's as he takes two against the field with the sponsors paying seven places on each-way bets.
It has already been such a great week at York and now all eyes are on the Sky Bet Ebor, one of the top handicaps of the whole season in which the sponsors are paying out on the first seven.
It might be a case of history being made here as I am going to go for Nakeeta to become just the second horse to win the Ebor twice. You have to go back to 1923 for the only time this has happened - with a horse called Flint Jack.
Trained in Scotland by Iain Jardine, Nakeeta is so effective in these big field handicaps and he followed his win here 12 months ago with an excellent fifth in the Melbourne Cup behind Rekindling.
That far-flung excursion seemed to take its toll on him, for he was well beaten on his next two starts – in the Chester Cup and Northumberland Plate. So, it was good to see much more of his old sparkle when fifth behind today’s favourite Stratum in the new £100k JLT Cup over two miles at Newbury.
Indeed, Nakeeta has never won at two miles but over this trip of 14 furlongs, his form figures are 11241 and he is 7lb better off with Stratum for just under four lengths. Nakeeta is also just 4lb higher than last year and must go well.
Dropping back from two miles to a mile and six should not present any issues for Stratum who has to be massively respected. But should he be as short in the market for such a competitive affair as this?
I also like Crowned Eagle a lot, whose close second to Hamada on this course in May was a fine effort, given that he was trying to give the Godolphin runner 7lb. Hamada has been most progressive since, twice winning comfortably (and he now sets his sights on Melbourne) and is now rated 110.
Crowned Eagle warmed up for this with a good and clear second in the Old Newton Cup (12f) for which he has been raised 5lb and looks well worth a crack at a trip his dam did well at.
Back in fourth and three and a half lengths behind at Haydock was Teodoro who is now only 1lb better off but has since romped home when dropping back in trip for the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes for which he gets a 4lb penalty. Given that his new rating is now 114, he has 9lb in hand but the trip is an unknown.
The in-form Saunter is given a chance, too, especially if the rains ease the track a little. He is in brilliant form right now while the tough Irish challenger Sea The Lion never knows when he is beaten.
Of the rest, Montaly is interesting at a big price. He won the Chester Cup last year and then Lonsdale Cup here at this meeting but has not been firing yet this term, which means that the handicapper has given him a chance. Andrew Balding’s team is certainly in great order right now and he could get into the money.
Lord Glitters would be a deserving winner of the opening Sky Bet and Symphony Group Strensall Stakes after a series of good efforts this season, including when placed in the Queen Anne and Sussex Stakes.
Dropping in grade a touch, he is taken to get the better of last year’s winner Mustashry.
His trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, has got Expert Eye back at seven furlongs in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes and Frankie Dettori gets the leg up for the first time. An honourable second in the Sussex Stakes, Expert Eye can get back into the winning groove and will be a popular favourite.
Mike Cattermole's Selections
1.50 LORD GLITTERS, 2.25 MAKING MIRACLES, 3.00 EXPERT EYE, 3.40 NAKEETA, CROWNED EAGLE
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