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The feature race of this week’s meeting at York and the one of the highlights of the summer schedule, the Ebor Handicap is a proper punting puzzle due to the sheer number of runners on show.
A maximum field of 22 go to post in Saturday’s 15:35 and the weights are headed by Copper Horse winner Get Shirty – attempting to bring up a four-timer – and Queen’s Cup scorer Enemy.
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The Ebor Handicap has thrown up a whole host of winners over the years but there are a number of key trends that have emerged.
We’ve had a quick scan through the history books to provide some helpful clues if you’re planning to have a punt on Saturday’s big race on the final day of the Ebor Festival.
Age
A bit of experience and age appears to be crucial as 10 of the last 12 winners have been aged five and over. Sonnyboyliston (2021) and Tiger Cliff (2013) were the only two to buck the trend and it’s worth noting that geldings and mares have scooped the last 20 renewals so be wary about siding with colts and fillies.
Draw
10 of the last 12 winners broke from a double-digit stall number so it’s worth looking at the horses high in the draw. Stalls 18 and 16 have both thrown up two winners each since 2010 – Benaud and Enemy are pitched into those in this year’s renewal.
Irish
The luck of the Irish has been a factor with six winners trained in Ireland since 2009 including Sonnyboyliston (2021), Mustajeer (2019), Heartbreak City (2016), Mutual Regard (2014), Dirar (2010) and Sesenta (2009). Ever Present, Okita Soushi, Shanroe, Licence, Earl Of Tyrone and Benaud are the Irish-based horses in this year’s renewal.
Odds
The favourite for the Ebor Handicap has not triumphed since Purple Moon in 2007 and only three of the last 12 winners have stormed to victory with a single-digit starting price. Therefore, it might be worth checking the Ebor Handicap odds on the York betting tab on the Paddy Power website.
Weight
Nine of the last 12 winners of the Ebor Handicap have carried 9st 5lbs or less, although the three to defy that stat came within the last four renewals including Sonnyboyliston scoring 12 months ago when carrying 9st 8lbs.
Verdict
After all that, there isn’t a single runner in the field that meets all the trends. But the Irish trend is perhaps the weakest of the lot which leaves two horses that meet the other criteria – Calling The Wind and Alfred Boucher, although the latter is returning from a three-day break after winning the Sky Bet Stayers Handicap and carries a 4lb penalty.
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest racing tips
- Ebor Handicap runner-by-runner guide as Get Shirty and Enemy head the weights at York
- When is the Ebor Handicap 2022? York date, start time, runners and betting