A maximum field will line up for the York Ebor Festival flagship event, the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap.

Trainers that you would associate with Cheltenham Festival winners will aim to come and take yet another flat staying handicap. Last season’s winning trainer Willie Mullins looking to make back-to-back wins with Hipop De Loire.

But Aidan O’Brien will look to have a say with Queenstown who comes in here on the back of two 2^nds  to no dule Gold Cup winner Kyprios.

As expected, a lot come here with creditable chances.

Here is your runner-by-runner guide for the Sky Bet Ebor.

Get all the best horse racing odds for York here at the best horse bookmakers.

Ebor Handicap Stakes – Runner by runner betting guide

Here’s my runner by runner guide for Ebor Handicap Stakes.

🏇 2 – Queenstown (22)

• Runner: Queenstown
• Weight: 9st 11lb
• Age: 4
• Form: 21-322
• Jockey: James Doyle
• Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
• Betting Odds: 7/1

A winner of a maiden at the Curragh last season and has run with great credit in his three starts this season.

A 3^rd in a Listed event over 1m2½f at the start of the season was followed with a 2^nd and 3^rd behind now dual Ascot Gold Cup winner Kyprios. It’s not often you see Aidan O’Brien having a horse that could be well handicapped, and it’s obvious to see that Queenstown could have a few pounds up his sleeves.

He is drawn out in 22, but the last two winners have come from stall 24 and 20, so been drawn wide is not a bad thing in the Ebor.

There seems to be a lot in his favour here and has a cracking chance of giving Aidan his second Ebor which would cap off what has been fantastic week for team Ballydoyle.

✅Unexposed
✅Trainer is in red hot form

❌Ryan Moore doesn’t ride

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Queenstown with talkSPORT BET 🐎

🏇 13 – Epic Poet (16)

• Runner: Epic Poet
• Weight: 9st 4lb
• Age: 5
• Form: 70-625
• Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
• Trainer: David O’Meara
• Betting Odds: 8/1

Epic Poet, a horse that many will have at the top of their list for today’s Ebor. 

This will be his fourth run for David O’Meara and has been showing enough to suggest he can play his part here. He was a fast-finishing 2^nd in the Duke Of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot, and the drop back to 1m2½f didn’t seem to suit as he was doing his best work at the finish once again.

He is one that I would be willing to take on here as you can often get sucked into the fast-finishing type in races like this, and you will need a lot to go right to win how he is ridden. 

✅Step up in trip looks a positive 

❌Need luck in running

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Epic Poet with BetMGM 🐎

🏇 7 – Hipop De Loire (2)

• Runner: Hipop De Loire
• Weight: 9st 7lb
• Age: 7
• Form: /2347-
• Jockey: Colin Keane
• Trainer: Willie Mullins
• Betting Odds: 8/1

A smart performer on the flat when trained in Germany and kicked off his career for Willie Mullins with a 2^nd in a Novice Hurdle at the Galway Festival.

There is not much to go on here, but it would not be a shock if Willie Mullins were not able to get even more out of him.

Granted the utmost respect coming from Closuttton.

✅Should have more to come
✅Winner over this trip

❌Hard to weigh up

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Hipop De Loire with Spreadex 🐎

🏇 12 – Fairbanks (15)

• Runner: Fairbanks
• Weight: 9st 4lb
• Age: 4
• Form: 612621
• Jockey: David Probert
• Trainer: Andrew Balding
• Betting Odds: 10/1

Only two lengths behind Epic Poet when 6^th at Royal Ascot (Epic Poet 2^nd ) was followed by a gritty win in the bet365 Trophy, and a battling neck 2^nd to the fast improving Align The Stars at Goodwood.

Nudged up 2lb for that but it shouldn’t have hindered his chances here. 

A horse who will relish the hustle and bustle of the Ebor. Has a strong each way chance.

✅Progressive stayer

❌Has had hard back-to-back races

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Fairbanks with VBET 🐎

🏇 8 – Magical Zoe (1)

• Runner: Magical Zoe
• Weight: 9st 6lb
• Age: 6
• Form: 513
• Jockey: Wayne Lee
• Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
• Betting Odds: 10/1

Unlucky not to already be a Cheltenham Festival winner when given a mountain to climb up the Cheltenham hill. Her progress hasn’t stopped over hurdles as she has gone on to finish 2^nd to Irish Point, and 4^th in the County Hurdle.

Her sights have now been switched to the flat since April with one win from three runs, and showing progress with each run.

Again, unlucky not to finish closers in a Fillies & Mares Group 3 at Fairyhouse and should have gained enough knowhow in those three runs to make her presence felt here.

With no worries about the ground nor trip, Magical Zoe may have a few pounds up her sleeve here.

✅Unexposed on the flat
✅Graded performer over jumps

❌Her running style requires a bit of luck in running.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Magical Zoe with Copybet 🐎

🏇 4 – Naqeeb (11)

• Runner: Naqeeb
• Weight: 9st 9lb
• Age: 4
• Form: 3-3602
• Jockey: Jim Crowley
• Trainer: William Haggas
• Betting Odds: 10/1

Half brother superstar miler Baaeed, Naqeeb has been living in the shadow of his brother but now may be about to have his own day in the sun.

After a luckless run at Royal Ascot where he was repeatedly denied a clear run, he lined up at Haydock next time but having been given a lot to do to try run down front runner Tempoize. Naqeeb just ran out of track and had to settle for a head 2^nd. 

He has been raised 2lb for that run, but this race can unfold in a way where the best side of Naqeeb can be shown.

✅This race should play to his strengths
✅Haven’t seen the best of him yet

❌Will need luck in running 

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Naqeeb with SBK 🐎

🏇 8 – Burdett Road (7)

• Runner: Burdett Road
• Weight: 9st 5lb
• Age: 4
• Form: 1153-5
• Jockey: Silvester De Sousa
• Trainer: James Owen
• Betting Odds: 12/1

Having made up to a smart juvenile hurdle last season (missed the spring), Burdett Road has his sights set back on the level here.

This former Royal Ascot winner had a pipe opener at Ascot last time out, and this strong travelling gelding will appreciate a strongly run race.

If SDS can get him settled early on, then there is no reason why this quirky, but talented individual can’t go close here.

✅Talented on the flat and over jumps

❌Can get lit up
❌Will need to settle

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Burdett Road with Betfred 🐎

🏇17 – My Mate Mozzie (13)

• Runner: My Mate Mozzie
• Weight: 9st 2lb
• Age: 8
• Form: /715-3
• Jockey: Gary Carroll
• Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
• Betting Odds: 16/1

He may be getting on in years now, but My Mate Mozzie has always threatened to take a race of this nature and could not be coming in here in much better form.

Having put in a cracking run to finish 3^rd beat no more than 1¼ lengths in the Copper House at Royal Ascot, he put in another top performance to finish 3^rd in the Galway Hurdle.

The handicapper has nudged him up 2lb for his Royal Ascot 3^rd but he has a lot in his favour here today. 

He often gets a touch outpaced in his races, but with the long York straight to help him get over that, this could be the day where he puts it all together on ground he relishes.

A top each way player.

✅Good form in top staying handicaps
✅Ground is very much a plus

❌Tends to get outpaced

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on My Mate Mozzie with talkSPORT BET 🐎

🏇1 – Relentless Voyager (20)

• Runner: Relentless Voyager
• Weight: 9st 12lb
• Age: 4
• Form: 6-3132
• Jockey: Oisin Murphy
• Trainer: Andrew Balding
• Betting Odds: 16/1

Despite having to carry top weight, Relentless Voyager come in here on the top of his game.

He is 7lb higher for when winning a 1m4f handicap at Epsom on Derby day and ran well to finish 3^rd on his first try at 1m6f.

Ran as well as could be expected behind a revitalized Al Aasy at Goodwood in a race that would not have played to his strengths. Now back in a race where he can get dragged into the latter stages, Relentless Voyage is a big player.✅Unexposed over 1m6f

❌Top weight

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Relentless Voyager with BetMGM 🐎

🏇11 – Ziggy (4)

• Runner: Ziggy
• Weight: 9st 5lb
• Age: 6
• Form: -22321
• Jockey: Richard Kingscote
• Trainer: Harry Eustace
• Betting Odds: 18/1

Won well here at the back end of last month when beating Ron O over 2 furlongs shorter. Has held his own in some top handicaps including a fine 3^rd in the Duke Of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot (Epic Poet a neck in front).

He was a 13-length 6^th over course and distance when he last tried 1m6f, but he now looks ready for another crack at the trip. 

If he progresses for the step up in trip, then he can run a career best may be within reach.

✅Course winner

❌Convincingly best at his only try at 1m6f

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Ziggy with Spreadex 🐎

🏇9 – Onesmoothoperator (5)

• Runner: Onesmoothoperator
• Weight: 9st 5lb
• Age: 6
• Form: 642821
• Jockey: Connor Beasley
• Trainer: Brian Ellison
• Betting Odds: 20/1

If this were run on the all-weather then we would be looking at Onesmoothoperator being half the price based on his runaway win in the Northumberland Plate.

The raise in the weights is not the issue, but the fact that he is still a maiden on turf is a problem. 

He is 0 from 8 on turf with a 3^rd being his best finishing position. 

It is hard to see him breaking his turf maiden here and is hard to fancy.

✅On the back of a career best win

❌0 from 8 on turf

Star Rating: ⭐

🐎 Bet on Onesmoothoperator with VBET 🐎

🏇 18 – Chillingham (18)

• Runner: Chillingham
• Weight: 9st 0lb
• Age: 5
• Form: 92-733
• Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
• Trainer: Edward Bethell
• Betting Odds: 25/1

Not seen since finishing 3^rd in the Ebor trial over 2 furlongs shorter back in May, this has always seemed an ideal target for Chillingham.

The ground may be against him here as all his best form has come with cut in the ground. He would appreciate every drop of rain if it were to come, and if it does then it would enhance his chances here.   

✅Always looked an ideal type for this

❌Best for is with cut in the ground

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Chillingham with bet365 🐎

🏇 5 – Crystal Delight (17)

• Runner: Crystal Delight
• Weight: 9st 9lb
• Age: 5
• Form: 20-115
• Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
• Trainer: Edward Bethell
• Betting Odds: 25/1

Likes to get on with it and is not going to get an easy lead today.

Has put together two wins already this season at Epsom and the Ebor trail, but this is going to be a big ask especially after a shocking run at Listed level last time.

He is off a new career high mark and trying a new trip that is not sure to suit.

Everything points to avoiding him today.

✅Course winner

❌Career high mark
❌Trip not sure to suit
❌Will be taken on for the lead

Star Rating: ⭐

🐎 Bet on Crystal Delight with BetUK 🐎

🏇 14 – Sea King (9)

• Runner: Sea King
• Weight: 9st 3lb
• Age: 5
• Form: 4-1013
• Jockey: Luke Morris
• Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott
• Betting Odds: 33/1

Has a bit to find with Epic Poet and Ziggy on their meeting at Royal Ascot but seemed to take another step forward at Ripon. He finished 3^rd but had no luck in running.

He is in the care of the right man to get more out of him, and you would be foolish to fully rule him out.

Can grab a place at a big price.

✅Suspicion that he has more to offer

❌Has many lengths to find with some of his rivals

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Sea King with Betfred 🐎

🏇 3 – Wise Eagle (12)

• Runner: Wise Eagle
• Weight: 9st 11lb
• Age: 7
• Form: 4-1013
• Jockey: Ben Robinson
• Trainer: Adam Nicol
• Betting Odds: 33/1

Back to something like his best when a 50/1 3^rd in a Group 3 over course and distance last time out.

He would be a surprise winner given he now has to contend with a career high mark. The handicapper may be in control, but his course 3^rd gives him outside place chance.

✅Good 3^rd over course and distance

❌Looks too high in the weights 

Star Rating: ⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Wise Eagle with BetMGM 🐎

🏇 6 – Yashin (21)

• Runner: Yashin
• Weight: 9st 9lb
• Age: 5
• Form: 74-330
• Jockey: Oisin Orr
• Trainer: Jessica Harrington
• Betting Odds: 33/1

Yashin comes in here off the same mark that saw him finish a 3-length 3^rd in last season’s Ebor.

He was ticking along nicely at the start of the season behind Kyprios and Queenstown but bombed out in the Northumberland Plate on the all-weather at Newcastle.

They have opted for wind op after that run, and there is a suspicion that Yashin can show his true self today.

A lively outsider that is hard to ignore coming from a powerful yard. 

✅3rd in last season’s Ebor

❌Needs to bounce back from a poor run

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Yashin with Betfred 🐎

🏇 20 – Iron Lion (19)

• Runner: Iron Lion
• Weight: 8st 13lb
• Age: 4
• Form: 316151
• Jockey: Rossa Ryan
• Trainer: David O’Meara
• Betting Odds: 40/1

Has already had a good season with 3 wins to his name. Gets in here off bottom weight, and this strong traveller would have now been set his biggest test to date.

It would be a surprise if he were good enough to get involved.

✅Knows how to win

❌This looks a big ask.

Star Rating: ⭐

🐎 Bet on Iron Lion with Ladbrokes 🐎

🏇 16 – Not So Sleepy (14)

• Runner: Not So Sleepy
• Weight: 9st 3lb
• Age: 12
• Form: /17-44
• Jockey: David Allen
• Trainer: Hughie Morrison
• Betting Odds: 40/1

The old man of the party has become a legend of the game over the years with Grade 1 wins over hurdles and has taken out some top flat prizes in his day.

It is safe to say that he is not as good as he once was, but he still shows some of his old zest as seen when 4^th behind Relentless Voyage at Epsom.

He will give it his all as he always does, and if by some minor miracle that he pulls it off, there would not be one person begrudging this racing legend his win.

✅Has the class to feature

❌Age is not on his side
❌He would love soft ground

Star Rating: ⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Not So Sleepy with Midnite 🐎

🏇 19 – Kihavah (8)

• Runner: Kihavah
• Weight: 8st 13lb
• Age: 7
• Form: -74290
• Jockey: PJ McDonald
• Trainer: Adrian Keatley
• Betting Odds: 50/1

Has won 3 times over 1m4f at York but has a bit to find with Crystal Delight on their meeting back in May.

He showed his well-being with a good 2^nd back over hurdles in the Summer Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen. This admirable dule purpose operator is not lightly overlooked given his fine course record, but he should find a few too good here.

✅Fine course record

❌This may be too much 

Star Rating: ⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Kihavah with VBET 🐎

🏇 15 – Alfred Boucher (6)

• Runner: Alfred Boucher
• Weight: 8st 4lb
• Age: 8
• Form: 212P/9
• Jockey: Callum Shepherd
• Trainer: Ian Williams
• Betting Odds: 66/1

Second in the 2022 Ebor off just 1lb higher, but he has clearly had his injury problems since being pulled up at Chester back in September of 2022.

He came back from a 686-day break at Ascot whereas you would expect he needed the run badly.

This would be a great training performance where Alfred Boucher to go close today, but everything is pointing to avoiding him for now.

✅2nd in the 2022 Ebor

❌2nd run back after a mammoth absence 

Star Rating: ⭐

🐎 Bet on Alfred Boucher with bet365 🐎

🏇 22 – Forza Orta (7)

• Runner: Forza Orta
• Weight: 8st 4lb
• Age: 6
• Form: 786600
• Jockey: Cam Hardie
• Trainer: Kevin Ryan
• Betting Odds: 66/1

Took the 2m race at this meeting last season, but he was no show here on Wednesday when finishing 15 of 16.

A huge leap of faith required to trust him again.

✅Won on this card last season

❌Ran a shocker on Wednesday

Star Rating: ⭐

🐎 Bet on Forza Orta with BetUK 🐎

🏇 21 – Oneforthegutter (10)

• Runner: Oneforthegutter
• Weight: 8st 8lb
• Age: 5
• Form: -85237
• Jockey: Joe Fanning
• Trainer: Ian Williams
• Betting Odds: 66/1

Well beaten over 1m4f here in May but did well to finish 2^nd to Fairbanks at Newmarket back in July.

He was beaten in the Racing League the last twice, well beaten the second time.

Hard to give him any chance against this caliber of horses.

✅Hard to find any

❌Well beaten in lesser races

Star Rating: ⭐

🐎 Bet on Oneforthegutter with BetMGM 🐎

York Ebor Verdict

As expected with the Ebor there are many that you can make a case for. The one that appeals the most at and each way price is MY MATE MOZZIE.

He comes in here on top of his game, and with conditions to suit, it is easy to see him playing a leading role.

Naqeeb and Relentless Voyage come in here with a winning chance as well.

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