Dave Nevison's Friday tips at York: "He has a strong chance"
By Dave Nevison
Last Updated: Thu 20 Aug 2026
Top tipster Dave Nevison struck with Item (10-1) and Air Force One (13-2) on Wednesday and has another three fancies for day three of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival on Friday.
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4.10 York: French Duke
French Duke was a good third off a rating of 97 in this corresponding race last season when with Roger Varian, and has a strong chance of going two places better off the same mark here.
Two recent unplaced efforts do not suggest he is in the best of form, but they don’t do him justice as he did not enjoy the best of luck in running at Ascot or Southwell.
The key to his improved prospects this time come with the likelihood of a strong pace, which will sort out the field for this hold-up performer, and French Duke’s proven ability to act on good to soft ground.
He achieved his best adjusted Timeform performance under these conditions, and off this mark of 97, and it is difficult to see him not performing well here, especially with his yard in excellent form.
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5.20 York: Lady Dora Mae
Jack Callan has done well on this three-year-old this season for George Boughey, but the booking of Ryan Moore for the first time on any horse is always eye-catching, so I am hopeful he can end a frustrating run of placed efforts for the consistent filly.
Lady Dora Mae has done well in handicaps, but two narrow defeats in Listed company really catch the eye, especially as they have both come on easy ground.
The latest strong effort came over almost 12 furlongs, but she has run equally well over short of 10 furlongs, and this trip somewhere in between could prove to be ideal.
6.15 Hamilton: Yabher
Yabher won at Goodwood on his seasonal reappearance when doing very well over a trip short of his best, but endured a nightmare trip (for the second year running) when returning to the Sussex venue last time out.
It is interesting that William Haggas shuns York with this four-year-old for this Heritage handicap in calmer waters, and I believe the long trip to Scotland can be rewarded.
Yabher is at his best at distances over 12 furlongs plus, so this extended 1m5f looks ideal, and if he doesn’t meet trouble, he generally goes close to winning.
The ground is a question mark, but his dam won a Group Three at Newmarket on good to soft.
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