Ebor Festival 2020 Tips - Day Three

Two favourites have already completed seasonal hat-tricks at York this week, and Battaash will look to join them in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.

Love landed her third Group 1 success of 2020 with a facile victory in the Yorkshire Oaks, and all roads now lead to ParisLongchamp and a clash with Enable in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Battaash won the Nunthorpe at the third time of asking last year, breaking the track record on the process, and is heavily odds-on to repeat the trick.

Battaash was electric under Jim Crowley in last year's Nunthorpe.

Art Power and A'Ali are the main dangers to Charlie Hills' stable star, both notching Group successes this term, but now face a massive step up.

Will Battaash scorch the turf again? Matchday FM pundits Harry Reynolds and Ben Wignall give their view for all seven races on an excellent card on the Knavesmire.

13.45 - Sky Bet Handicap

Harry Reynolds – There isn’t much depth to this field, and by far the most consistent performer in there is ZABEEL CHAMPION. He pulled like a train at Goodwood last time but was flying home at the finish to come second, and faces a three pound rise in the weights for that. The extra distance will suit, and should prove better than this mark of 94.

Ben Wignall – Mark Johnston holds a few plays in this opener, with Zabeel Champion a warm favourite for Ryan Moore, but I’m going with Johnston’s other charge KING’S CAPER. He came second in the Group 2 Italian Derby on his penultimate start, and at Goodwood last time he found himself a bit short of room when push came to shove. I’d expect a better run from him here.

14.15 - Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2)

HR – Although Nayef Road will be desperate for his day in the sun having played second fiddle to the brilliant Stradivarius in the staying division this season, I think another John Gosden horse will prove too good for him again. ENBIHAAR is a multiple Group 2 winner and looked better than ever when winning the Lillie Langtree at Goodwood. She is crying out for the step up to two miles, and I expect her to take this before going on to the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day at Ascot in October.

Enbihaar finally steps up in trip to two miles, following a second successive win in the Lillie Langtry.

BW – Out of the horses that are proven over the distance, Nayef Road would probably hold the best chance having ran Stradivarius close in the Goodwood Cup. However, ENBIHAAR has enormous potential despite being five years old now, and she finally makes the step up to two miles. She has the ability to be John Gosden’s next star stayer.

14.45 - Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2)

HR – Despite some notable absentees, including Tactical and Supremacy, this still looks a fascinating contest. Mohawk King beat MINZAAL on debut, but the latter came out and literally won on the bridle at Salisbury after this. He looks incredibly exciting, and with the benefit of the extra run he can reverse the form. Yazaman shouldn’t be discounted following two second-placed finishes to Tactical this season, and Goodwood didn’t suit him, while the unbeaten Mystery Smiles could be anything.

BW – The juvenile races this week haven’t been too kind to favourites, but this is a more open betting contest. Minzaal was so impressive at Salisbury on his second start, and he re-opposes Mohawk King who defeated him on debut at Ascot. But after backing him all season I’ll stick with YAZAMAN, who never went a yard at Goodwood but stayed on for second. The Knavesmire should suit him and he’s clearly very talented.

15.15 - Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1)

HR – Quite simply, BATTAASH is the best sprinter in the world, and should win this race for the second year running. You could put practically any weight on his back and he should still beat these, although he faces two creditable rivals in Art Power and A’Ali. The former won’t be able to keep up with Battaash’s pace, but A’Ali could prove dangerous if timing his late finish to perfection.

BW – The market would suggest that this is a two horse race. Art Power has a lot of potential but BATTAASH is the most talented sprinter in Europe and his two wins this season have been superb. A repeat performance of his Nunthorpe win last year and there won’t be another horse in shot on our television screens as he crosses the line.

15.45 - British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes

HR – Naval Crown is a likely warm order in this, but RUSHMORE ran in a very hot race on debut and was very green. This horse cost $500,000 so must have some potential, and having learned a lot from his first day at school and with natural improvement, he’s a decent each-way play.

BW – This is one of the most prestigious maiden races in the country, and some talented horses have took the honours, including Jersey Stakes winner Molatham. Naval Crown has experience in pattern company but TAWLEED kept on when proving no match for a smart fellow Hamdan Al Maktoum horse at Goodwood on debut, and he could go one better here.

16.15 - British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Handicap

HR – WALIYAK keeps hitting the crossbar but has still got a decent weight, and is a very consistent sort. She was second behind Onassis in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot, and that rival went on to score in Listed company in France subsequently. Andrea Atzeni and Roger Varian have both been in brilliant form.

BW – William Haggas’ FIRST KINGDOM won two nice-looking novice contests before finishing midfield in a French Listed race last time out. She will come on for that experience though, and it reads well that Alpinista, who finished in-front of her in France, went on to win a Listed race at Salisbury on her next start.

16.50 - Sky Bet Mile Stakes

HR – Visinari hasn’t been seen since last September but has been placed in a Group 2, and has form behind top class rivals like Pinatubo. He’s a massive danger if fit, but FINEST SOUND and Eastern World are interesting rivals. The latter is a half-brother to superstar Thunder Snow, and was ahead of the selection at Newmarket last time. However, Finest Sound has a four pound swing, and was very keen that day, so if settling better he can reverse the form.

BW – Visinari steps into handicap company for the first time and he was certainly an exciting horse at one point last year. EASTERN WORLD though only found one too good on his own handicap debut at Newmarket last month, and the half-brother to Thunder Snow looks a good bet in this competitive race.

Selections

Harry Reynolds

13.45 Zabeel Champion 7/4

14.15 Enbihaar 9/4

14.45 Minzaal 5/2

15.15 Battaash 1/2

15.45 Rushmore 7/1

16.20 Waliyak 4/1

16.50 Finest Sound 6/1

Ben Wignall

13.45 King’s Caper 9/1

14.15 Enbihaar 9/4

14.45 Yazaman 4/1

15.15 Battaash 1/2

15.45 Tawleed 3/1

16.20 First Kingdom 6/1

16.50 Eastern World 7/1