York - August 21 2020
York 12:50
3(4)
William Buick

Dark Vision

J:
 
William Buick
T:
 
Mark Johnston
Age: 4
Weight: 9-5
OR: 109

The first race on the final day of the Yorkshire Ebor meeting is the Group Three Strensall Stakes and the form seems to be stacking up for Mark Johnston's Dark Vision.

The Godolphin owned colt after a poor three year old campaign has bounced back to his best this term not finishing outside the top two in all four of his events.

He finished second on his seasonal debut behind Sir Busker who has since gone on to frank the form with a solid performance in the Silver Royal Hunt Cup.

Dark Vision landed the spoils in his next contest at the royal meeting taking the Royal Hunt Cup and off the back of that was another bright second behind winner at the Ebor meeting Montatham.

The four year old went to Pontefract last time for a Listed event and in quick conditions managed to get the job done.

Solid form claims.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
11/09/20BAD8Gd9-21
22/08/20YOR9GS9-56
23/07/20PON8GF9-51
05/07/20SAN8GF9-92
17/06/20ASC8Gd9-11
York - August 21 2020
York 13:25
7(1)
Ryan Moore

Kipps

J:
 
Ryan Moore
T:
 
Hughie Morrison
Age: 3
Weight: 8-10
OR: 88

The Sky Bet Melrose Handicap over the marathon trip sees a large field of runners head to post and with that in mind we have two chances.

The first is the Hughie Morrison trained Kipps who has done everything but win this season finishing a narrow second behind Walkonby at Haydock and backing that up at Royal Ascot with another close second in the King George V Stakes.

The form of that race has had a boost with the winner Hukum since going on to land a Group Three over todays distance and it would be a surprise not to see him go close.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
18/04/21NBY12Gd9-06
24/10/20NBY12Hy8-124
09/10/20NMK12Sft8-93
05/09/20ASC12GS9-03
22/08/20YOR14GS8-103
York - August 21 2020
York 13:25
10(6)
Ryan Tate

Bodyline

J:
 
Ryan Tate
T:
 
Sir Mark Prescott Bt
Age: 3
Weight: 8-9
OR: 87

Our second selection at a bigger price is a horse we have stuck by all season, looking like he has barrels of potential and stepping up in trip today could suit him down to the ground.

He finished a bold second on seasonal debut behind Celestran for John Gosden and from then was a staying on sixth of 17 in the King George V Stakes.

He was slightly disappointing when odds on favourite at Newmarket last time out but getting that extra two furlongs should see him give a good showing.

York - August 21 2020
York 14:00
7(7)
Tom Marquand

One Master

J:
 
Tom Marquand
T:
 
William Haggas
Age: 6
Weight: 9-3
OR: 114
Days: 22

One of our best bets of the day comes in the Group Two City Of York Stakes and the William Haggas trained One Master looks a class above the rest.

The six year old mare has been a shining light for the yard over the last few years and although not being at her best in her first two runs of the season, the drop in grade last time out at Glorious Goodwood saw her back to winning ways.

Having shown in the past her clear ability and pace, winning back to back renewals of the Prix de la Foret and also placing in events like the Champions Sprint Stakes and Falmouth Stakes, she is the one to beat.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
17/10/20ASC6Sft8-133
04/10/20LON7Hy8-131
12/09/20DON7Gd9-12
22/08/20YOR7GS9-32
31/07/20GOO7GF9-31
York - August 21 2020
York 14:40
3(9)
Martin Harley

Trueshan

J:
 
Martin Harley
T:
 
Alan King
Age: 4
Weight: 9-9
OR: 109

The big race of the day is the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap and with some bookies offering extra places we have gone for two horses at each way prices.

The first is the Alan King trained Trueshan and King has had a remarkable season on the flat, landing three events from 5 runners at Royal Ascot and this four year year old can add to that success.

The gelding made his return at Haydock in the Listed Buckhounds Stakes and finished a good fourth behind Dashing Willoughby who has since gone on to frank the form.

He went back to Ascot on good to soft ground and beat a decent field of runners that included Sir Michael Stoute's Alignak.

The step up in trip is sure to suit and he is a cracking bet at the prices.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
30/09/23LON20GS9-21
15/09/23DON18Sft9-71
03/05/23ASC16GS9-94
12/04/23NOT14Sft9-102
15/10/22ASC16GS9-91
York - August 21 2020
York 14:40
18(13)
Ryan Moore

Verdana Blue

J:
 
Ryan Moore
T:
 
Nicky Henderson
Age: 8
Weight: 9-2
OR: 102

At a bigger price is the ever reliable Nicky Henderson trained Verdana Blue and although she will be hoping for quick conditions she should still hit the frame in this field.

Having not been disgraced in the 2019 Champion Hurdle and also last year's Christmas Hurdle, she has given some good performances on the flat.

Last time out was one of her best efforts when a bold second at the royal meeting in the Ascot takes over 2 mile 4 furlongs and dropping back in trip could see a big challenge.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
12/12/20CHL17Sft10-78
31/10/20WET16Sft10-122
18/10/20KEM16Gd10-72
22/08/20YOR14Sft9-23
16/06/20ASC20Gd9-102
York - August 21 2020
York 15:10
1(2)
Tom Marquand

Acklam Express

J:
 
Tom Marquand
T:
 
Nigel Tinkler
Age: 2
Weight: 9-0
OR: 92

The Listed Graves Roses Stakes sees a classy field of sprinters head to post and even though the favourite put in a bold performance last time out, we like the look of Acklam Express.

The Nigel Tinkler trained juvenile has been a leading light for the yard this term with a good third on debut at Beverley and since then going unbeaten.

He learnt from his first experience when winning nicely at Hamilton and then he stepped up to a Class 2 Nursery at Glorious Goodwood and annihilated the field.

He looks a very progressive horse and should handle the step up in grade.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
09/09/23ASC5GF9-711
31/08/23NCS5St9-310
01/08/23GOO5GS9-77
08/06/23HAM6GF10-26
27/05/23HAY5GF9-612
York - August 21 2020
York 15:40
2(8)
Andrea Atzeni

Fifth Position

J:
 
Andrea Atzeni
T:
 
Roger Varian
Age: 4
Weight: 9-10
OR: 104
Days: 25

The penultimate event of the meeting is the Sky Bet Handicap over 1 mile 2 furlongs and Fifth Position for Roger Varian looks the value angle in the contest.

The four year old built from his seasonal debut third at Newcastle to land a decent event at Doncaster, beating some of today's field.

He then ran a cracker in the John Smith's Cup over course and distance finishing a staying on third of 22 and he was giving weight away to the winner that day.

He needs to bounce back from a blip last time out but seems to handle the York track quiet well and has a live chance at 8/1

York - August 21 2020
York 16:10
7(6)
Cieren Fallon

Sampers Seven

J:
 
Cieren Fallon
T:
 
Michael Appleby
Age: 3
Weight: 8-2
OR: 86
Days: 28

The final race of the Ebor meeting sees the Apprentice Handicap over five furlongs and Sampers Seven although going up in the weights looks the one to beat.

The Mick Appleby trained filly has been fairly consistent for her handler this term not coming out of the top three in her last four events.

Last time out she gave her best run of the year when winning a handicap at York by three lengths and if improving again has every chance.

Top apprentice Cieren Fallon also takes the ride.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
28/06/23SAL5GF9-113
03/06/23EPS5GF8-310
20/05/23THI5Gd9-93
21/04/23BAT5GS9-87
21/09/22STH5St9-122