York Tips: Four value selections that are worth a second look on Ebor day

1.50 York, 1m½f Group 3 Strensall Stakes

You have to go back to 2009 to find the last three-year-old to taste victory in this contest, which is good news for those interested in laying market leaders Mighty Ulysses and Alfaila. For all that both get a 7lb weight-for-age allowance here, they’re still yet to prove themselves outside of Listed company, and it’s worth noting that the former has been involved in some tough races this season.

Cadillac and Finest Sound got into a scrap in the Steventon Stakes at Newbury and, while Simon and Ed Crisford’s charge has won since, neither would fill you with confidence in this field. 

The same can’t be said for Bashkirova, who put in a commanding performance in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom. She subsequently disappointed when sent off favourite for the Duke of Cambridge but that race likely came too soon and, in hindsight, it looked a very strong renewal. 

William Haggas’ filly has had the benefit of a break since then and she looks a generous price to make amends now that she drops in class. 

Selection: Bashkirova @ 8.8

2.25 York, 1m6f Melrose Handicap

A typically competitive renewal with our market rating Soulcombe as the one to beat after catching the eye at Goodwood last time. Slowly away that day, he made up considerable ground inside the final furlong and the step up in trip here should hold no fears. The form of that race received a considerable boost after Silver State took second in the Great Voltigeur earlier this week and it’s hard to knock his credentials. 

Charlie Appleby saddles both Wild Crusade and Al Nafir - he’ll have a good idea of his pairs chances given the formline through Soulcombe, so both must be afforded maximum respect. Caius Chorister seeks a sixth win in a row but how he’ll get on without the 5lb claim of Benoit De La Sayette is a question mark over this trip.

Preference is for Andrew Balding’s Soul Stopper, who has been lightly campaigned this season following a gelding op, but couldn’t have been more impressive at Chester last time over 1m6f½ especially given he wasn’t particularly well away. He has a bit to find on form with Soulcombe, but Balding has taken the last two renewals and Soul Stopper makes plenty of appeal at our odds.

Selection: Soul Stopper @ 7.6

3.35 York, 1m6f Ebor Handicap

There aren’t enough column inches to dissect all 22 runners in this year’s Ebor, which as ever looks like a minefield. To whittle down the contenders, we’re looking for those drawn in double figures (13 of the last 15 winners), aged four, five or six (14 of the last 15 winners) and rated 101 or higher (eight of the last 10 winners). 

Of those remaining, market leaders Gaassee and Okita Soushi both meet the requirements. The former made a winning reappearance on the Knavesmire in May before finishing third behind Get Shirty in the Old Newton Cup. He suffered a fair bit of trouble-in-running that day and the extra two furlongs will no doubt aid his cause here. 

As for Okita Soushi, he too was brushed aside by Get Shirty, this time in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot. Declan McDonogh left him with plenty to do that day and there’s every reason to think he could turn the tables on the winner. 

However, at nearly triple the price, it could be worth taking the chance that David O’Meara’s charge isn’t done improving just yet. The victory over Aidan O’Brien’s Cleveland at Ascot marks him down as a Group horse in waiting and, of the progressive four-year-olds in this year’s renewal, Get Shirty’s quite possibly the best. 

The chief danger could be Gaassee’s stablemate Candleford, the choice of stable jockey Tom Marquand. His facile victory in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes caused Ajero to re-route from this race to Sandown, and if Kim Bailey doesn’t think he can be beaten, perhaps we’d be wise to take the hint.

He threw in a poor run at Newmarket but there have been a few cases this year of William Haggas’ runners rebounding from poor performances in early July (see Kyeema). Candleford is another for the shortlist.

Selection: Candleford @ 15.5
Selection: Get Shirty @ 30

Recommended trades

Back Bashkirova (1.50 York) @ 8.8
Back Soul Stopper (2.25 York) @ 7.6
Back Candleford (3.35 York) @ 15.5
Back Get Shirty (3.35 York) @ 30