The York “Ebor” Festival is on at the moment. It is a festival that ranks with Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood as the top three festivals over the summer Months in my opinion. That is not including the unique Galway Festival of course!

Declaration of War was mighty impressive yesterday in the International Stakes alas he beat our pick Trading Leather into second. The race was top notch but it was a shame that Toronado was on an off day with obviously something gone amiss. He ran no race and was beaten along way out so If you are a supporter stick by him. Al kazeem will prove his class back on an easier surface.

Ok, enough about the past what about the future and specifically this weekend’s Ebor Handicap.  This handicap is the richest in Europe on the level with the winner set to win over £155,000 for the lucky owners. Make no mistake this race will have been targeted from a long way out even from as far back as last year! It is run over 1 mile six furlongs so the race is set up perfectly to suit Trainers from both the flat and national hunt codes.

To be fair to my private members I am not going to say which two of this shortlist of four we have backed this morning. However, all four look to have a good chance of winning if things fall their way during the race. The four on my shortlist are Steps to Freedom, Oriental Fox, Guarantee & Tropical Beat.

All four are hold up performers and that should suit in a race like this over 1m6f. They are all trained by excellent trainers and have inform jockeys booked to ride. They will need some luck in running but the home straight at York in long and should give every opportunity for the jockeys to get a run.

All four can be backed each way at 20/1 or higher. I recommend backing two selections in big handicap fields like this with four places on offer. So take a look at see if any of the four horses Steps to Freedom, Oriental Fox, Guarantee & Tropical Beat catch your eye on past form and over current conditions.

Best of Luck,

Nicky

P.S >> The latest Eye Catchers will be added next week hopefully.