Sky Bet Ebor Festival tips: Three best bets for day three at York

Race:Sky Bet Handicap - 1.50pm.

Best odds: 9-2.

This four-year-old produced another career best when narrowly denied by Scampi at the Shergar Cup meeting last time out and although he's been raised another 5lb since, there's every reason to believe he can defy a career-high rating of 95 here.

Richard Fahey's charge showed a brilliant attitude to win the Old Newton Cup on his penultimate start, the form of which has worked out well, and possibly kicked for home a shade too soon at Ascot on good to soft ground.

His rise in the weights since is probably fair given he pulled 12 lengths clear of the remainder with a similarly progressive rival, and there's a good chance the selection has more improvement left in him over this trip.

The return to faster ground on Friday won't hinder him and while it is a slight concern he's only had 13 days to recover from his exertions at Ascot, his victory at Haydock also came just 13 days after finishing second at Pontefract.

I expect Wootton'Sun to race prominently once again here, and it would be fitting for this son of Wootton Bassett to provide Paul Hanagan with a fairytale success on his final ride.

Race:Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes - 2.25pm.

Best odds: 15-2.

It is a surprise to see Giavellotto available at a general 15-2 for this Group Two contest (I have him chalked up at 7-2 on my tissue, for what it's worth) and he rates a bet at the prices.

The four-year-old relished this track when causing an upset in the Yorkshire Cup two starts ago where he defeated Quickthorn and Broome, and his latest effort is worth marking up.

It has been well documented that Quickthorn gained an uncontested lead en route to a pillar-to-post victory in the Goodwood Cup, and Giavellotto did well to finish as close as he did from a poor position, especially in the conditions.

A return to the Knavesmire, and faster ground, will undoubtedly see Marco Botti's charge fare better, and it will be a big shock if Quickthorn's rivals allow him such an easy lead again.

The official ratings suggest the selection has a bit to find with a few of these, but the form of his Yorkshire Cup win entitles him to be a leading contender here, especially as last year's St Leger third is unlikely to have finished progressing yet.

It was also interesting that Giavellotto did not wear a hood when victorious at York in May (he wore one on his five starts prior to that outing) and Botti said afterwards that his high-class stayer "has matured a lot mentally from three to four", so it appears as though this son of Mastercraftsman has been a work in progress, which is another strong indicator that he will have more to offer this season.

Another betting angle in the race is Spreadex’s “Double Draw of Winner” market, where the winner’s stall number is multiplied by two. Giavellotto will jump from gate 2, while the favourite, Courage Mon Ami, is drawn in 1. Spreadex have pitched the spread at 6.9-7.9, so I’d be keen on a sell. River Of Stars, representing the in-form Ralph Beckett, is in stall 3 and would also be running for us.

Quickthorn, in stall 7, would be the worst outcome in this market but his rivals surely won't let him sail into the distance, as he did in the Goodwood Cup. It's worth remembering Giavellotto had him back in fourth when landing the Yorkshire Cup, at York, in May.

Race:Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes - 3.00pm.

Best odds: 11-4.

I advised backing Kylian at 6-1 for this race following his eye-catching run in defeat at Goodwood, and he holds strong claims in Friday's Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes.

Karl Burke has made it no secret that he holds his charge in high regard and after suffering defeat at short odds on his first two starts, it looked as though Kylian was not going to fulfil his trainer's high expectations.

However, after getting off on the mark at Newcastle, this son of Invincible Spirit showed what he's capable of when storming from last to first to win the Dragon Stakes in fine style at Sandown.

Ryan Moore was rather complimentary about Kylian following that impressive success, and also advised that the youngster was still learning about the job.

He looked a shade unfortunate not to win the Molecomb when last seen as he was outpaced early and didn't appear to handle the track, or the give underfoot, that well plus was caught behind rivals when attempting to challenge in the final two furlongs.

It is wise to think he will relish this step up in trip, and conditions will be ideal for him this time.