Who’ll win at York Races? Tips for the Ebor Festival, Day 4

Apart from the unbeatable Stradivarius yesterday, our resident tipster Dick Turpin was left licking his wounds, having handed the bookies all his ill-gotten cash. But he’s promised that he’s going to bounce back on the final day of the Ebor Festival, with the title race taking centre stage at 3.40.

The cream of Britain’s middle-distance performers promise a titanic battle for the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (3.40), writes Turpin.

Roger Charlton’s Cesarewitch winner, Withhold heads the weights and is certain to be battling it out at the line. The six-year-old’s main rivals will be Mark Johnston’s King’s Advice, William Haggas’ Raheen House, and John Gosden’s Ben Vrackie.

Though Ben Vrackie was well behind King’s Advice at Newmarket, that run looked as if it came too soon after his creditable perfomance at Royal Ascot. Well rested, and with the benefit of Frankie Dettori again on board, he’s taken to get revenge today in the battle for a juicy £600,000 prize.

My friends in Ireland report Eminence on amazingly good form, and he is a strong choice to land the spoils in the Melrose Handicap (2.25).

Turpin’s tips

Twelve contenders line up today for one of the highlights of the sprint racing calendar, the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (3.35)

There’s no need to look any further than Aidan O’Brien’s Ten Sovereigns in the Nunthorpe (3.35), writes Turpin.

Ryan Moore finally got the colt back to winning ways in spectacular fashion in the July Cup at Newmarket, after failing to land the spoils an the 2,000 Guineas and the Commonwealth Cup

The drop in trip to the minimum distance should be exactly what’s needed to get the absolute best from this very highly rated speed machine. Battaash has strong claims too, but Turpin’s loot will be all on Ten Sovereigns to do the business.

Thanks to my eagle-eyed spies for alerting me to Dubai Mirage on his debut at Sandown earlier this month. We got our each-way money back (at 5-1) when he was pipped by just a nose by the very smart odds-on favourite Native Tribe.

Now, with racecourse experience under his belt, and the likeable Oisin Murphy up, Turpin expects to clean up today, at the main expense of Molatham and Fox Duty Free.

Turpin’s tips

YorkMix tipster, Dick Turpin, kicked off the Ebor Festival with a modest two winners yesterday.

Can he improve on that for Day Two, where the Lowther Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks are the highlights on the card? Over to you, dandy highwayman…

Will anyone oppose Frankie Dettori on John Gosden’s flying machine, Enable, in the Yorkshire Oaks (3.35)? , writes Turpin.

Gosden’s other runner in the field of four, Lah Ti Dar is the only other serious contender, but surely nothing can stand in the way of the brilliant Enable looking for her seventh consecutive win en route to the Arc at Longchamp in October.

At likely odds of 1-3, the only question for punters is how far will the winning distance be. Turpin’s money says she’ll storm home by at least four lengths.

Liberty Beach is also hard to oppose in the opener, the valuable fillies’ race, the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (1.55). But my preference is for Wejdan. One race, one win so far. But what a debut it was at Newbury when she floored 14 rivals over the same six-furlong distance.

William Haggas rates this juvenile highly and assures us that more racecourse experience will be accompanied by significant improvement. She’s my nap of the day.

We’ve also had an encouraging word for Search For A Song who impressed in the Irish Oaks (fourth) in July. She takes on Frosty and Frankellina in the Galtres Stakes (4.15).

Turpin’s tips

Most four-day race meetings start steadily and build up to a climax.

Not so with the brilliant Ebor festival, which kicks off today with a bang – an impressive renewal of the Juddmonte International (3.35) with a £602,544 purse for the winner.

Sir Michael Stoute’s Crystal Ocean is the well-fancied horse the other eight entrants have to beat. But YorkMix’s Tipster in Residence has decided to oppose the hot favourite in his search for great value. Here are the suggestions from YorkMix tipster Dick Turpin…

1.55: Dakota Gold’s stylish victory in Ripon’s Great St Wilfrid last week sets the standard for this five-furlong dash. The central draw is helpful, and Darlington trainer Michael Dods’ steed appears to handle any going. David O’Meara’s progressive Arecibo represents great value for each-way backers.

2.25: Persuasion’s winning debut at Goodwood hints at a huge career for Charlie Hills’ descendant of Galileo. But the colt won’t have everything his own way and there is stiff opposition from novice winners Valdermoro, Ethic and Vitalogy. Cobra Eye (Frankie Dettori) impressed at Goodwood too – and could give the selection most to do.

3.00: Only five runners in the valuable Great Voltigeur Stakes, and there’s no need for me to look any further than Logician. John Gosden’s charge looks to be a champion of the future, and with Dettori aboard again, he is a confident choice.

3.35: The big one! Crystal Ocean’s claims are hard to ignore… but Turpin will try. An Ascot win, and creditable runner-up to Enable in the King George mark out the Stoute five-year-old as a leading contender. But I prefer the look of King Of Comedy (Gosden and Dettori again!). A very progressive type, whose impressive second begind Circus Maximus at Ascot clearly hinted at much more to come. As always, we look for value, and this exciting three-year-old is the Nap selection.

4.15: Carnwennan returns to his happy hunting ground, having scored here earlier this year, followed up with wins at Chelmsford and Newcastle. A repeat of those performances will be good enough to account for this field, with the biggest threats posed by Charles Kingsley and Infrastructure.

4.50: Can Oti Ma Boati complete a four-timer? It’s a tougher ask this time, after narrow successes at Pontefract, Newcastle and Doncaster. But that career path suggests progression and the plucky filly could have enough in reserve to account for the fancied Malvern, Otago and Homespin. Pop Dancer, Richard Fahey’s attractive colt is clearly in with a strong chance too – and represents excellent each-way value.

Turpin’s tips