York Ebor Festival day 2 tips: Don't discount Dapperling

It what was a great first day on the Knavesmire, one that saw more than just a few upsets as some hefty favourites got turned over, but it’s now time to turn our attentions to the second day of the York Ebor Festival, which once again brings us another seven top-class races.

Thankfully, the winners went in yesterday, and as it turned out, the decision to take on well-backed favourites in the form of Gregory and Paddington turned out to a fruitful one. We’re back it today, so let’s get stuck in and see if we can pinpoint another few horses that appear to offer some value in the early betting.

Betting tips for day two of the York Ebor Festival

From yesterday’s three in the daily York Ebor Festival piece, the two each-way bets both placed, while Continuous came up trumps in the Group 2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes. Let’s hope for more of the same today. Here goes:

13:50 – Sky Bet Lowther Stakes

The opening race of the day looks nicely competitive despite just the eight runners. Relief Rally is all the rage in the early betting having won three of his four starts, but I’m thinking that’s far too short at odds of 7/4.

For my money, Star Of Mystery has been a little overlooked. Sure, he disappointed at Newmarket last time out, but we shouldn’t be so quick to write him off, especially as his Listed win prior to that run was impressive.

The return to faster ground should help Charlie Appleby’s runner, who could very easily bounce back in a race that ought to be less of a tactical battle than that one at Newmarket.

Of those to have really proven themselves in here, for me the Godolphin horse has achieved as much as anything, if not more, and with this not being the deepest race in the world, don’t be surprised to see him go closer than early quotes of 9/1 suggest. At such odds, I’ll be on each-way, that’s for sure.

Best bet – Star Of Mystery (each-way) @ 9/1

14:25 – Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes

The second race of the day will be an ultra competitive Class 2 handicap, which being for two-year-old’s is a race full of unknowns, if, buts and maybes.

Ziggy’s Condor won very nicely on debut and is thus well fancied by the early market, as is Persica, who runs for Richard Hannon, a trainer who has had plenty of success in this race in recent times, winning five of the last seven renewals, making it fair to say that he’s a man who knows how to ready one for this.

I am going with a Hannon horse here, but it’s not the one that’s likely to be sent off at the shortest odds.

Dapperling, in the hands of Jamie Spencer, arrives here as one of the most experienced types, which could hold her in good stead. Moreover, she’s one of very few in here to have race experience of this nature.  The filly was fourth in a warm Class 2 affair last time out, while there was plenty to like about her second (of 2o) at this level at Newbury before that.

Moreover, her only win to date came on good-to-firm when she stayed on strongly to win a Novice event at Lingfield back in July. The return to a faster surface should certainly suit.

For a yard that clearly does well in this event, ridden by astute big-field handicap rider Jamie Spencer, Dapperling looks somewhat generously priced at a best early price of 12/1. Such odds are worth taking.

Best bet – Dapperling (each-way) @ 12/1

16:10 – British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes

At 16:10, we have a Listed contest for fillies and mares. This is another open-looking contest and there are plenty in with chances, especially as several are open to improvement.

However, at the prices, I’m finding it difficult to look beyond Scenic, who goes in the hands of Oisin Murphy for trainer Ed Walker.

This runner is one of the more proven types in the race, while she’s been holding her form very well of late. Her Listed effort in France back in June was a respectable one, while she stepped forward from that effort to place over a furlong less at York last time out, shaping as though some extra distance would suit.

If we look at the horses she ran against last time out, it’s not difficult to see her running very well in what is undoubtedly an easier race in terms of strength in depth. She’s one of the highest rated runners in here, and that’s with good reason. 11/1 looks generous and with four places on offer, I’ll be backing her each-way.