Sky Bet Ebor: five key contenders and guide to all runners

Apprentices have a cracking record in the Sky Bet Ebor but they are not going to be improving their tally on Saturday as none of them have a ride in the £500,000 feature. 

I can’t help but think there is a trainer or two missing a trick in a tight handicap full of horses who have few secrets and where every ounce counts. 

Since 2009, claimers have hit the jackpot five times in the race despite only 35 taking part during that time, including at 25/1 (twice) and 20/1. 

Watch: Andrew Blair-White and Jack Nicol preview every runner in the Sky Bet Ebor 

Another four have finished runner-up, with two more occupying third. In other words, 31.4 per cent of apprentices taking part in the race in the past 15 years have finished in the first three, despite big fields being routine. 

Overall, apprentices are 0/15 in their rides at York this week, but there is still time for that to change. 

Here are five key runners in the Ebor in the order I prefer them. The sponsors, Sky Bet, are offering eight places for each-way backers. If you want less of a safety net, bet elsewhere for slightly bigger odds.

 Sky Bet odds: 7/1

He started his career in France, where he was a Listed winner there, but offered little in three starts for Freddie and Martyn Meade last year. Having changed hands for 48,000gns, he has looked a different proposition for David O’Meara, who has such a great record with cast-offs. 

A satisfactory stable debut at Dante was followed by hugely eye-catching run in the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot, when he kept on powerfully from well off the pace to beat all bar Crystal Black, who has since bolted up in a Group Three at Leopardstown. The overall form of that Ascot race is rock solid and a 3lb rise looks fair. 

Connections couldn’t resist running Epic Poet in the John Smith’s Cup three weeks later as he was able to race off the same mark in that early-closing contest. However, the drop back in trip was no help him to him and he stayed on to be a never-nearer fifth from the rear. 

Freshened up, he now gets the chance to express himself over a trip which, on the evidence of his Ascot run, promises to serve him well. I’ve little doubt he is well-handicapped, and his wide draw/running style are not a worry given that Ebor winners can come from anywhere. 

Sky Bet odds: 13/2

It’s impossible to gauge Hipop De Loire’s merit and he would be only the second seven-year-old to win the Ebor this century. But he’s trained by Willie Mullins and history tells us that whatever he runs in these big staying events merits maximum respect. 

Absurde gave Mullins a second Ebor triumph last year and remember that he scooped the Cesarewitch three years in succession (2018-2020). The victory of Vauban in Friday’s Lonsdale Cup was another reminder of his prowess in turning smart Jump performers into big-race winners on the Flat. 

Hipop De Loire has spent most of his time being trained in Poland and running in pattern events with headgear on in Germany.  He’s shown useful form and shaped well on his first start for Mullins this month when runner-up in a big-field maiden hurdle at Galway. The winner was his stablemate, Jackfinbar, a 105-rated horse on the level. 

And now Hipop De Loire turns up in the Ebor with Colin Keane travelling over for the ride. He’s done plenty of his racing on softish ground, with fast going being something of a novelty for him. 

Sky Bet odds: 12/1

Irish trainers have a fabulous recent record in the Ebor, scooping the spoils seven times since 2009 despite being heavily outnumbered buy the home team. 

Gavin Cromwell now seeks to join in the party and his My Mate Mozzie has the attributes required to give it a good go. 

This smart dual purpose performer has shown what he is all abouyt on his past two starts. He was beaten just over a length in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot and followed that by filling the same position in the Galway Hurdle. 

The handicapper will probably feel he has the measure of the eight-year-old, nudging him up another 2lb for his Ascot run, but it's hard to see him finishing outside the first eight. 

 Sky Bet odds: 17/2

This Henry De Bromhead-trained mare hit the post in a couple of big handicap hurdles at Leopardstown and Cheltenham last season.  At the latter track, she was fourth to Absurde in the County Hurdle. 

She’s had only thre starts on the Flat but her experience over Jumps seems certain to stand her in good stead. On her latest start, she picked up some black type when third in a Group Three contest over 1m 6f at Fairyhouse. 

A true-run handicap will probably play to her strengths even better, and she seems versatile regards the ground. A mark of 102 offers little wriggle room but she’s got to be on the shortlist. 

 Sky Bet odds: 9/1

This progressive gelding has improved in chunks since winning off a mark of 68 at Haydock in the first half of last season. 

He’s up to a mark of 102 after being beaten a neck by Aligin The Stars over the Ebor trip at Goodwood last time, but he’s able to race off 100 in this early closer and so you can make a case for him being the pick of the weights. 

However, he did finish about a length and a half behind Epic Poet when sixth in the Duke Of Edinburgh and he now meets that rival on 3lb worse terms. His supporters will cling to the thought that he has gone on to prove his stamina for further, whereas Epic Poet has not.