Horse Power: Sweet William set for success in the Ebor Handicap at York

Liverpool Echo

25 August 2023

Horse Power: Sweet William set for success in the Ebor Handicap at York

SWEET WILLIAM looks a worthy favourite and can win the Betfred Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (3.35pm) at York on Saturday afternoon.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained can land the feature and bring up a four-timer on the final day of the Ebor meeting on the Knavesmire. The gelded son of the Sea The Stars has gone from strength to strength this season and arrives at York on a roll and despite the always-competitive nature of the Ebor, he looks well worth his place at the head of the market and can score again. After three seconds in his first three starts Sweet William has finally fulfilled his promise with three superb victories over the past month or so. He got off the mark over 1m4f at Doncaster back at the start of last month on good to firm ground. Then stepped up to an extended two miles and beat some decent yardsticks like Novel Legend, Aztec Empire and Solent Gateway by upwards of three lengths.

Sweet William was sent off favourite when stepped back down to the same 1m6f he will encounter in the Ebor in the Coral Summer Handicap in testing conditions at Glorious Goodwood at the start of the month. He scored in impressive fashion and looks sure to carry on that progress in this much tougher contest. Sweet William seems versatile as regards trip and going and although he is yet to run at York, the track should hold no fears and may even play more to his strengths and ability.He can score ahead of chiefly recent Ascot scorer Scampi, from the Andrew Balding stable, Michael Bell’s Adjuvant and the David O’Meara-trained outsider Get Shirty.

A chance is taken on ISAAC SHELBY reversing the form from Goodwood to beat last year’s winner Kinross in the Group Two Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (3pm). On this better ground, despite being 1lb worse off in the weights, the Brian Meehan-trained three-year-old may get the better of the admirable Kinross, who rarely runs a bad race – although softer ground plays more to his strengths. There was only a neck between the pair in the Lennox Stakes last time and the two are likely to fight out the finish but the younger Isaac Shelby may come out on top this time.

Sir Michael Stoute’s NOSTRUM, under Ryan Moore, can win the opener, the Group Three Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes (1.50pm). The three-year-old Kingman colt has won three of his five starts and was beaten a length by Epictetus at Glorious Goodwood last time over a mile. But stepped up to 1m2f Nostrum can return to winning ways.

Trainer Willie Haggas has already had winners at his native York this week and ALHAMBRA PALACE can give him another victory in the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (2.25pm). Haggas won this race with Soulcombe last year and Alhambra Palace, who is on a hat-trick after wins at Ascot and Sandown, can triumph for the stable this time.

Another who may bring up a hat-trick of wins is David O’Meara’s ABERAMA GOLD in the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (4.10pm). O’Meara, who always does well in these big-field sprint handicaps, looks to hold the key to this six-furlong contest with last year’s winner and admirable veteran Summerghand likely to go close again. But Aberama Gold – as a six-year-old three years younger than his stable-mate – is in such good form at present that he may be able to land another big pot. After victories at Wolverhampton and Hamilton in June, he scored again over course and distance beating Manila Scouse in the Sky Bet Dash Handicap at the end of last month on good ground. He followed up quickly a week later in testing conditions when taking the prestigious Stewards’ Cup in good style at Glorious Goodwood. He runs off a career-high handicap mark of 100, but he looks to be improving and when sprinters hit form they tend to hold it well. He can score ahead of the aforementioned Summerghand, Kark Burke’s Lethal Levi and the Charlie Hills-trained Orazio.

Aidan O’Brien’s No Nay Never colt ALABAMA, under Ryan Moore, may be the answer to a tricky-looking renewal of the Listed Julia Graves Roses Stakes (4.45pm).

Iain Jardine’s INNSE GALL can land back-to-back wins in the Sky Bet Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (5.20pm). The five-year-old has been running well without winning before scoring in good style over 1m2f at Ayr earlier this month. He may be able to go in again.

At Goodwood the previously mentioned EPITECTUS can win the Group Two William Hill Celebration Mile Stakes (2.40pm). He beat Nostrum over course and distance in a Group Three contest last time and the John and Thady Gosden-trained three-year-old can follow up in the feature at the Sussex track stepped up to Group Two company.

Ralph Beckett’s FOREVER BLUE – a good winner of her only start at Haydock Park earlier this month – can make it two from two in the Group Three William Hill Prestige Fillies’ Stakes (2.05pm).

O’Meara’s course and distance winner RHOSCOLYN – who always goes well at Goodwood – can score again in the William Hill Handicap (3.15pm).

Another Beckett-trained runner, LUCKY FIFTEEN, has won three times in four runs so far this season, including over course and distance in June. The three-year-old colt can bring up the four-timer in the William Hill Pick Your Places Handicap (3.50pm).

Others who can win at Goodwood are Ed Walker’s TAYALA in the opener, the British EBF 40th Anniversary Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes (Bands B, C And D) (EBF Qual) (1.30pm); another course and distance winner LORD RIDDIFORD, from the John Quinn stable, in the William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Handicap (4.25pm); and the Gary Moore-trained HE'S A LATCHICO in the finale, in the William Hill Presents Up Front Handicap (4.55pm).

At Newmarket the hat-trick-seeking GOLDEN TRICK – from the Cheshire-based stable of Hugo Palmer – can win the £100,000 Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes (GBB Race) (3.20pm).

Others who can at Headquarters are RED FLYER in the JenningsBet Best Odds Guaranteed Every Shop Handicap (2.45pm) and the Adrian Nicholls-trained SAAHEQ in the finale, the JenningsBet Nationwide Handicap (5.03pm).