Peter Naughton: my best bets for the Ebor Festival

There's no doubt the Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York is among the best four days of the racing year.  It's also the most competitive, but I've unearthed several horses for the week from the Naughton Notebook in a bid to beat the bookies.

Middleham Park Racing have a couple of chances in the opening 5f handicap on Wednesday.  Lexington Blitz was done no favours with the way the race unfolded when a close sixth in a similarly competitive race at Glorious Goodwood.  

Robert Cowell's speedy son of Invincible Spirit was keen in the centre and ridden in rear when attempting to make headway towards the far side.  The leaders were on the stands' side, so Lexington Blitz did well racing alone.  

In addition, Edward Greatrex reported his mount was denied a clear run after two-out and the consistent four-year-old is best when able to lead.  

He acts on any ground and will likely head to Ayr next month too.

Also in the York curtain-raiser, don't be surprised to see the same owner's Ziggy's Triton leave behind Saturday's disappointing Newbury run.  The fast-ground specialist didn't appreciate watered conditions but will be a live outsider at his beloved York, especially if the rain stays away.

Exclusive Code will surely go well in the Sky Bet Mile on Friday.  Archie Waton's classy three-year-old son of Blue Point landed a punt over this trip at Glorious Goodwood and faces a similar task here.

He needed only to be shaken up to go clear inside the final furlong and although his lead was reduced in the final one hundred yards, he was always doing enough. 

He previously had a rotten draw in stall three when beaten only six lengths in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot.  Wathnan Racing are dominating summer festivals and Exclusive Code looks another potential winner.

Fellow notebook horse Inishbeg is a huge price in this race but could bounce back to form. 

Like most Yorkshire-based trainers, Kevin Ryan targets this meeting, and this classy son of Ghaiyyath will relish the likely strong pace.  He endured a very wide trip when well beaten over 7f here at the Dante meeting.  Ryan introduced Inishbeg in the Convivial last season, but his inexperience showed in the race, as he dwelt at the start and raced keenly.

The 500,000 guineas purchase is a half-brother to two winners, including the same connections' Group Three-placed Volterra.  The dam is a half-sister to the dam of top-class Postponed.

Also on this card, Mussab has strong each-way claims in the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes. 

The Faheys' son of Ten Sovereigns was third at huge odds in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, despite being short of room after a poor start.  He benefited from a fast pace that day and should have the same set-up here.

Sold for only 5,000 guineas at Tattersalls Book 3, he made 52,000 guineas at the Guineas Breeze-Up Sale.  Mussab went into the notebook when third over this course and distance at the Dante meeting on his only other start.

There are two live notebook chances in the feature Sky Bet Ebor Handicap on Saturday.  Paddy The Squire and Square Necker have enjoyed productive campaigns and the former has been lined up for this since his close second in the fiercely competitive Old Newton Cup.

Iain Jardine's gelding was in touch with the leaders and pressed winner Sportingsilvermine over a furlong out but was just held.  The winner didn't harm the form when a close second at the Shergar Cup meeting next time.

He loves competitive handicaps and was a close third in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot.  

Square Necker is improving rapidly and has been freshened up since justifying good support over this trip at Ayr in June.  Sam James' mount travelled strongly in second and had only to be shake up to lead over a furlong out.  He was clear inside the final furlong and won cosily.  

He fetched 160,000 guineas as a yearling and is related to 104-rated Titanium and bred to progress.