Horse Racing Tips: Your York Ebor Festival Friday cheat sheet from Paddy’s pundits

The big question is whether MAHRAJAAN reacts kindly to cheekpieces being fitted for the first time. When you go through his form, there are clear signs that he has not been putting it all in. So while it’s frustrating he’s up in the handicap for a recent defeat, it might just be he’s good enough for this if going through with the effort.

The Brian Ellison charge ONESMOOTHOPERATOR ran very well over 1m4f at Ascot and this looks perfect for him. Bit of each way value here.

MOKTASAAB brings in a similar form line as Lord Protector from Goodwood but does seem to look better treated on a handicap mark of just 96.

ANNANDALE barely stays 1½m, so the fact that he was beaten out of sight in the Northumberland Vase when stamina was at a premium is easily forgiven, and he hinted at a revival dropped to 1¼m at Doncaster last time, staying on late to finish fifth of 12 in a Racing League contest at Doncaster. If he can build on that, then he has a chance, and he’ll be overlooked completely in the market.

CORMIER has the potential for better again on the Flat and might prove the answer to this tricky opener. Lord Protector shaped quite well at Goodwood and could be a big threat if a wide draw doesn’t prove too much of an inconvenience.

It looks a straight match between Stradivarius and TRUESHAN. While of course the crowd will be supporting the former, unbeaten in six starts at York, I can’t help but feel the latter is the one to be with, even if there hasn’t been that much rain. Trueshan was only just behind Stradivarius at Goodwood last time, and I suspect the ride Hollie Doyle gave him, while inspirational, probably led to his defeat. This speed favouring track will suit a click of Stradivarius, and I just think Trueshan is now the better horse.

I feel like I’m going off the cliff with STRADIVARIUS but for good reason,  this is a track that he is unbeaten at and this could be his swansong.

I hope the ground is significantly easy enough for TRUESHAN to run as he can serve it up to Stradivarius after running too free at Goodwood last time.

In the absence of rain, Trueshan will likely be a late defector, leaving this race at the mercy of STRADIVARIUS, and there isn’t much more to say. If it rains enough for him to run, I’d happily jump ships to Trueshan, but I fear that won’t happen.

STRADIVARIUS has enjoyed a glittering career and has confirmed he’s still one of the best stayers around this campaign, going down by only a neck to Kyprios in the Goodwood Cup, having not been seen to very best effect. He’s fancied to make a bold bid to add a fourth Lonsdale Cup to his fantastic C.V.

ROYAL SCOTSMAN looked a machine in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood having been a fine third in the Coventry at Royal Ascot. Obviously many of these are open to all sorts of improvement, and only a fool would be dogmatic. That said, I fully expect the Paul and Oli Cole runner to come out on top under Jim Crowley.

This is a hot contest however I feel ROYAL SCOTSMAN has the strongest farm in the book and is the safest place here.

NOBLE STYLE made no mistake on his racecourse debut at Ascot and did the same at Newmarket 21 days ago when returning from an injury layoff. He looks to have most of fear from Royal Scotsman.

Royal Scotsman is sure to go well again, but there are a few potential improvers, and the race looks tricky. I’m having a small each-way interest in Ismail Mohammed’s NEVER JUST A DREAM, who impressed when making all at Wolverhampton, and was backed as if something out of the ordinary on his debut, only to run green.

NOBLE STYLE took his record to 2-2 with a cosy success at Newmarket 3 weeks ago and it would be no surprise should Charlie Appleby’s colt be at the top of the 2-y-o tree by the end of the season.

Royal Aclaim may well be the sprinting star we have all been waiting to see and I’m not going to put any of you off backing her. That said, I don’t see how her form allows her to be such a hot favourite and will have a few quid each-way on the terrific HIGHFIELD PRINCESS. My selection loves York.

ROYAL ACLAIM was so impressive at the track last time that you have to stick with her. The 2yo gets lots of weight but this is a rough and tumble race.

ROYAL ACLAIM could be the new sprint sensation that we have been waiting for this season. She just does everything super easy and has never been extended so we may well see some fireworks down this fast 5f on the Knavesmire.

I’ve come to the conclusion that it might be worth sticking with EMARAATY ANA who showed much-improved form to be second to Winter Power 12 month again, and again gave the impression he was coming to the boil when sixth in the July Cup. I’d also keep Flotus onside, but I’m very wary of those at the top of the market.

 The Goodwood race KHAADEM and Raasel finished first and second in is form to take very seriously, and with middle draws probably no bad thing here, they may come to the fore again. Royal Aclaim’s potential is not in question but she’s a short price given what she has achieved.

AMANZOE bolted up at Ascot last time and can defy a small rise in the weights. She looks a real improver for William Haggas and Tom Marquand and I can’t look beyond her. Surely very hard to beat.

A winner at Goodwood, STATE OCCASION is still fairly handicapped on her best form.

Surprisingly AMANZOE has only the 3lbs penalty to carry for her comfortable success at Ascot 13 days ago. She was always in control from a long way out and is incredibly hard to get away from in this contest.

STATE OCCASION rather spoiled by fun when beating Rousay at Goodwood, but with that filly winning well next time, the form looks watertight, and every run this season has been a step up in form terms. She’s unexposed at this trip, and can win again before the handicapper can get to grips with her.

STATE OCCASION fended off some progressive 3-y-os in a Glorious Goodwood handicap last month and may be able to do so again as it’s possible she could have even more to come at this trip. The prolific Amanzoe heads the dangers.