Sky Bet Ebor tip: Side with Sonny at 16-1 in York feature

We are now just a week away from the 2021 Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival, and with the likes of St Mark’s Basilica, Mishriff, Stradivarius, Trueshan and Snowfall set to be on show, we are in for a mouth-watering four days on the Knavesmire, live on Racing TV.

I will be taking a closer look at the key races once it becomes clearer who those superstars will be against, and which horses are likely to contest the support races, before trying to find a winner or two.

However, one contender who looks worth an investment at this stage is SONNYBOYLISTON at a general 16-1 for the Sky Bet Ebor, the feature contest on the final day.

Johnny Murtagh’s charge defeated future Group One winner Thundering Nights at the Curragh last year and looked a Group horse in a handicap when defying a 13lb rise in a valuable contest on his next start.

He was also described as a “big baby who is still learning” by his handler following that victory and it has been no surprise to see the four-year-old progress again at a higher level this season.

He was not beaten far when third in the Ormonde Stakes behind Japan and Trueshan in May before landing a Listed contest, and it is unlikely we have seen the best of him yet.

Murtagh has said in recent days that Sonnboyliston, and stablemate Mirann, are both being aimed at the Ebor prior to a tilt at the Melbourne Cup, and this contest has been a good trial for the Flemington showpiece in recent years.

The fact Sonnyboyliston ran over this course and distance when last seen also suggests Murtagh has had the £500,000 contest in mind for some time, and his charge shaped with plenty of promise behind Hukum in the Silver Cup.

That was his first start over 1m6f, but he stuck to his task well under pressure having raced a shade keenly in the early part of the race, and was a length behind Fujaira Prince, who is likely to be among the opposition again, in that contest, but will meet last year’s winner on 6lb better terms next week.

The return to a bigger field, and the likelihood of a stronger pace, should help him settle better in the Ebor and Murtagh won this contest with Mutual Regard in 2014.

The former leading Irish jockey has a noticeable record with his runners in handicaps in Britain, with ten winners from 27 runners. Six of those 27 have also been placed, and his contenders fared 75 per cent above market expectation.

Despite the ground being good to soft on the Knavesmire at the time of writing, the weather forecast looks relatively dry next week and unless there is a dramatic change, it is likely the ground will be no worse than good, which will suit Sonnyboyliston who has shown his best form on a quicker surface.

It will also be interesting to see if the cheekpieces go back on as he improved for the application of them when successful at the Curragh last year, but they have been left off in his four starts this season.

The trends also point to Sonnyboyliston holding strong claims, and he looks a shade overpriced at 16-1.

Recommended bet: Back SONNYBOYLISTON each-way at a general 16-1.