2023 Sky Bet Ebor Handicap at York: the runners, the odds, the verdict

York's Ebor festival reaches a thrilling crescendo on Saturday as the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (3.35) takes place on the Knavesmire. This competitive handicap is steeped in history, and with a top-notch field of 22 runners set to line-up, here is our rundown for the £500,000 showpiece.

Sky Bet Ebor Handicap: the full list of horses for York

1 Live Your Dream

Tidy win at Newmarket; up 5lb and this race is much more competitive but he needs respect

Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Forecast odds: 9-1

Live Your Dream15:35 York

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Jky: Oisin Murphy Tnr: Saeed bin Suroor

2 Enemy

Went off the boil this spring and tailed-off last when next seen at 200-1 in Goodwood Cup

Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: Christian Howarth (5)
Forecast odds: 50-1

Enemy15:35 York

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Jky: Christian Howarth (5lb)Tnr: Ian Williams

3 Scriptwriter

Gave the odds-on favourite a scare in course-and-distance Group 3 latest; up 3lb but he's a rising force

Trainer: Milton Harris
Jockey: Clifford Lee
Forecast odds: 12-1

Scriptwriter15:35 York

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Jky: Clifford Lee Tnr: Milton Harris

4 Cemhaan

Best of his runs in a sizeable field came on latest start when third of 16 at Royal Ascot

Trainer: George Baker
Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Forecast odds: 25-1

Cemhaan15:35 York

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Jky: Hollie Doyle Tnr: George Baker

5 Tashkhan

No win since July 2021; trip/ground make first handicap for two years look a tough task

Trainer: Brian Ellison
Jockey: Ben Robinson
Forecast odds: 25-1

Tashkhan15:35 York

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Jky: Ben Robinson Tnr: Brian Ellison

6 Yashin

Grabbed a 1m6f Group 3 at Leopardstown on penultimate start; remains one with potential

Trainer: Jessica Harrington
Jockey: Shane Foley
Forecast odds: 14-1

Yashin15:35 York

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Jky: Shane Foley Tnr: Mrs John Harrington

7 Ocean Wind

Long absence before creditable return; heavy defeat in Goodwood Cup; headgear change

Trainer: Roger Teal
Jockey: Freddie Larson (3)
Forecast odds: 33-1

Ocean Wind15:35 York

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Jky: Frederick Larson (3lb)Tnr: Roger Teal

8 Sunchart

Regular in Group and Listed races but sole win remains a maiden in 2019; first headgear

Trainer: Andy Slattery
Jockey: Oisin Orr
Forecast odds: 33-1

Sunchart15:35 York

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Jky: Oisin Orr Tnr: Andrew Slattery

9 Absurde

Strong-finishing second in 1m6f handicap at Royal Ascot prompts major interest

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Forecast odds: 13-2

Absurde15:35 York

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Jky: Frankie Dettori Tnr: W P Mullins

10 Jackfinbar

Absent four years before resuming this summer for Willie Mullins with two good runs

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: William Buick
Forecast odds: 8-1

Jackfinbar15:35 York

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Jky: William Buick Tnr: W P Mullins

11 Get Shirty

Fifth in last year's Ebor; has a 9lb lower mark today, having been out of sorts

Trainer: David O'Meara
Jockey: Danny Tudhope
Forecast odds: 25-1

Get Shirty15:35 York

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Jky: Daniel Tudhope Tnr: David O'Meara

12 HMS President

Won good 1m6f race at Newmarket in May and beaten a neck over 1m4f at Royal Ascot

Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Forecast odds: 16-1

HMS President15:35 York

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Jky: Rossa Ryan Tnr: Alan King

13 Real Dream

Won well when upped to 1m6f at Ascot; raised 8lb but could still have hidden depths

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Forecast odds: 7-1

Real Dream15:35 York

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Jky: Ryan Moore Tnr: Sir Michael Stoute

14 Caius Chorister

Second in the course-and-distance Melrose last year; two excellent seconds in 2023 and shaped okay last time

Trainer: David Menuisier
Jockey: Kyle Strydom
Forecast odds: 25-1

Caius Chorister15:35 York

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Jky: Kyle Strydom Tnr: David Menuisier

15 Sweet William

Dominated the closing stages at Newbury (2m, good) and Goodwood (1m6f, heavy); well in

Trainers: John and Thady Gosden
Jockey: Robert Havlin
Forecast odds: 7-2f

Sweet William15:35 York

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Jky: Robert Havlin Tnr: John & Thady Gosden

16 Moracana

NON-RUNNER

17 Euchen Glen

Admirable veteran; fifth, 11th and seventh in the last three Ebors; lowest mark since 2018

Trainer: Jim Goldie
Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
Forecast odds: 33-1

Euchen Glen15:35 York

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Jky: Paul Mulrennan Tnr: Jim Goldie

18 Scampi

Two notable 1m4f wins this term, one here; stamina in pedigree to make 1m6f very plausible

Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Jason Hart
Forecast odds: 10-1

Scampi15:35 York

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Jky: Jason Hart Tnr: Andrew Balding

19 Wickywickywheels

Threatened only once in seven runs back in Britain, with limited response from handicapper

Trainer: Jim Goldie
Jockey: Tadhg O'Shea
Forecast odds: 66-1

Wickywickywheels15:35 York

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Jky: Tadhg O'Shea Tnr: Jim Goldie

20 Saratoga Gold

A revelation initially in blinkers; came up well short lately and now tries cheekpieces

Trainer: Charlie Hills
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Forecast odds: 33-1

Saratoga Gold15:35 York

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Jky: Tom Marquand Tnr: Charles Hills

21 Berkshire Rocco

Ascot second (2m) last time was more like it; cheekpieces are replaced by first-time visor

Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
Forecast odds: 20-1

Berkshire Rocco15:35 York

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Jky: Callum Hutchinson (3lb)Tnr: Andrew Balding

22 Adjuvant

Reliable and progressive; heavy ground when seen off by Sweet William at Goodwood; player

Trainer: Michael Bell
Jockey: Kevin Stott
Forecast odds: 12-1

Adjuvant15:35 York

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Jky: Kevin Stott Tnr: Michael Bell

23 Post Impressionist

Clearcut course-and-distance win (good to soft) final three-year-old start; has not fired in the same way this term

Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Adam Farragher (3)
Forecast odds: 25-1

Post Impressionist15:35 York

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Jky: Adam Farragher (3lb)Tnr: William Haggas

RP recommends

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Verdict

By Richard Austen

Sweet William heads the betting but ADJUVANT (nap) may be able to turn the tables on him from Goodwood. Real Dream is next best.

Adjuvant15:35 York

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Jky: Kevin Stott Tnr: Michael Bell

Read these next:

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'He has everything in his favour' - why this horse can win the Ebor at York on Saturday 

2023 York Ebor festival tips: Saturday's best bets from Racing Post experts 

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