Best bets for York on Saturday
Top tipster and leading commentator Simon Holt has two choices for the action at York’s Sky Bet Ebor festival on Saturday, plus one he likes at Sandown.
Race Betting Tips: Saturday 20th August
1 point win Sandrine at 3.00 York at 5/1 (bet365)
1 point win Euchen Glen in 3.35 York at 12/1 (Overall)
1 point win Chipstead in 5.35 Sandown at 100/30 (bet365)
Skybet Odds | Paddy power | Betfair Sportsbook | ITV7
It’s 43 years since the legendary sea pigeon won the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap at the age of nine and is also a perennial favorite YOU GLEN can also prove that age is no barrier to success at this Saturday’s richest handicap in York.
Like the aforementioned superstar, Jim Goldie’s gelding packs a punch at just ten years old and after a really unfortunate loss last time out at Goodwood, he’s coming into shape at just the right time.
Under 9st12lb that day, Paul Mulrennan’s horse couldn’t get a free run for love or money and he was flying home when he finally got free in the last furlong.
This will be Euchen Glen’s third Ebor appearance, having finished fifth on unduly soft ground behind Fujaira Prince in 2020 and eleventh behind Sonnyboyliston last year when he was asked to ride much more prominently than is normally the case, on a grade from 116.
He does, however, boast victories in the John Smith’s Cup and the Cumberland Lodge Stakes in York.
Goldie’s steady star seemed to be on the decline earlier this season and his mark had slipped to just 102 at Goodwood, where he would certainly have won with a clean run. Historically, this has been a horse to follow once he’s in shape.
Based on that effort, Euchen Glen is expected to gain 3 pounds, but with the Ebor being an early closing handicap it remains here at 102, a full rock less than 12 months ago.
Previously, the weights for the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes suggest Kinross could be getting his old age revenge at a better weight of 2lbs SANDRINE after being split by a neck in Goodwood’s Lennox Stakes last month.
However, the winner could be on the up again after taking time to find her form this season as she attempted over a mile three times, which is likely just behind her.
Sandrine, who was second in the Lowther Stakes over six furlongs at this meeting last year, is definitely a seven-furlong filly, but Goodwood’s was her first time attempting the distance.
The result was that David Probert’s horse traveled beautifully all the way and, while Kinross had to squeeze through against the rail, she had probably been in front long enough (leading beyond a furlong) and showing great tactical pace.
Sandrine also has to confirm the placings with fifth placed Sacred, beaten by a length and a half in a close finish, but she could well improve after previously showing clear signs of returning to her best time in third behind Prosperous Voyage and Inspiral Group One Falmouth Stakes (1m) at Newmarket’s July Festival.
Save something for Sandown
York’s other breeds are looking seriously difficult, and for another pick: CHIPSTEAD hopes to get back on track for the final Teddington Handicap at Sandown.
Not quite as talented as his July Cup-winning brother, this full brother to the high-class Oxted did score a hat-trick of wins last season and after some muted efforts in the spring, he returned to life at Windsor earlier in the month when falling a half-length to the improving Cuban Breeze, who probably found the flat five furlongs a bit sharp as he finished a commendable fourth place behind Designer in York on Wednesday.
Weighing in at 2lbs, Chipstead is just a lb heavier than when he scored a hat-trick in Bath last September and with trainer Roger Teal’s horses in better shape than they were he seems poised to strike.
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