The 14/1 shot that can take York’s Ebor Handicap by Storm

I’m off to York for the last day of the flat racing extravaganza, but I’ll also be keeping one eye on what’s going on at Glorious Goodwood for ‘good’ measure.

Make Time put up an improved display at Goodwood, however that display came on very soft ground. Being a lightly raced colt he could of course step forward again, but on this drying surface, Mondialiste is preferred with his yard gradually picking up again in the 1.55pm Strensall Stakes.

More of a conundrum than the Ebor Handicap, Intellect is sure to be the choice of many in this Melrose Handicap at 2.25pm, but he will make the market for Dark Pearl from a yard beginning to fire in the winners. This test should suit him down to the ground and he’s a shiny each-way call ahead of Master Singer and Sofia’s Rock.

This isn’t a particularly good renewal of the 3pm Gimcrack Stakes and Headway could be good enough to land the spoils for William Haggas. The Yorkshire born, Newmarket-based trainer has a strike rate of 23% at York and this set-up looks perfect for him. Of the unexposed types, Staxton is feared most of all in the field.

The 3.35pm Ebor Handicap is not the race it used to be, with three-year-olds having little or no chance of getting into the field. I believe Cohesion will run a big race at a huge price, however ante-post fav Flymetothestars is a likely non-runner. Star Storm is unexposed over this intermediate trip and could improve past some seasoned plodders. Nakeeta and Godolphin’s Natural Scenery are two others to seriously consider.

There are some seriously quick juveniles in this listed Roses Stakes at 4.10pm and last year’s winning trainer, Tom Dascombe, has solid claims of a double with Formidable Kitt. However, this drop-in-class looks just the ticket for Sound And Silence and he gets the nod over Elizabeth Darcy.

A massively competitive handicap takes place at 4pm, however at the prices we can have two bites of the cherry with Baydar and Khairaat.

Baydar looks dangerously well handicapped on his best form from last year and as long as there is some juice in the ground he could outrun his odds by some way. Khairaat still looked in need of the experience at Goodwood three and a half weeks ago, he didn’t get the best of passages that day. There’s way more to come from this well-bred four-year-old.

Major Jumbo continues in great form for Kevin Ryan and will be suited by this fast five in this apprentice handicap at 5.15pm while, Rozy Boys could run well off his featherweight. They look two big players against Evergate, who surely has more in the tank than his tame effort last time out and will be better suited by the drying terrain.

The goodness at Goodwood

Fillies at this time of the year can take giant steps forward and that is what I am expecting of Santorini Sun in the 2.10pm Prestige Stakes. A maiden winner two weeks ago, she is the apple of Mick Channon’s eye and could be the each-way play ahead if Verandah and Ertiyad.

Old Bertiewhittle will love this cavalry charge in the Goodwood Revival Handicap at 2.45pm and will be cutting back his younger rivals down the stretch, but this recent Doncaster winner may have to give best to Burnt Sugar and last year’s winner Certificate. The latter named is 6lbs higher than 12 months ago, but this has been his aim all season. Burnt Sugar on the other hand is finally being shown some mercy by the handicapper.

Finally, last year’s winner Lightning Spear is sure to be a popular choice in the 3.20pm Celebration Mile Stakes, but I am going to take a chance with Zonderland on his belated seasonal debut. Clive Cox thinks his charge will be a better four-year-old than a three-year-old and word has it he has been training superbly at home. Hathal has all the talent in the world, but I’m not sure this is his trip but in an ordinary renewal he is feared.