One of my favourite meetings of the year takes place this week with York's Ebor festival the focus from Wednesday until Saturday.
Saturday
York save the hardest 'til last with the Ebor the final day highlight. Mount Athos is a horse who has had absolutely no luck this season and his turn can't be far away.
He is 10/1 with Sky Bet to win this tricky 1m6f handicap for David Wachman who must be tearing his hair out with this horse.
Firstly, he is drawn wide in both the Chester Cup and Old Newton Cup but still puts up good efforts to finish 4th in both. Then he misses the cut for the Goodwood Cup last month.
He has since had a run in the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes where he was 4th of 5, but hopefully a return to a big field on drying ground at York will be more up his street (he doesn't want cut in the ground so bear that in mind if it's still on the soft side come Saturday).
We never need confirmation of O'Brien's talents, but after his dual Grade 1 victories at Arlington over the weekend he proved once again that he is the master and it will be a surprise to see Await the Dawn beaten
Alex Hammond
Quotes of the week
He won the Melrose at this meeting last year when trained by John Hills so the course and distance hold no fears. So, he is my selection, but if the ground is still on the soft side by then I think the each way pick is Ted Spread (33/1). This race was mooted for him some time ago and if he gets his ground he's one to keep on the right side of.
It's also worth looking out for Dandino in the Lonsdale Cup on Saturday. James Given's horse steps up to Cup distances for the first time after smart efforts over a mile and a half.
Although he isn't a guaranteed stayer it's worth the gamble as, Fame and Glory aside, the Cup division looks pretty weak. If all goes well here he could head for the Irish Leger next.
Selections
Mount Athos in the Ebor @ 10/1 with Sky Bet
Ted Spread in the Ebor @ 33/1 (each way) with Sky Bet
Dandino in the Lonsdale Cup
Sky's top tipster in red-hot form with bookie bashing treble
Last week Alex had notable tipping success with three of her selections: Pepper Lane (11/1), Excelebration (5/4) and Cape Blanco (21/10).
