'It's probably a tip in itself' - why this horse can win at York's Ebor festival

There is a big week ahead with York's four-day Ebor festival starting on Wednesday. Here, our experts provide their best bets of the week . . .

Aikhal

Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (3.00 Wednesday)

Odds: 10-3

By Graeme Rodway, deputy betting editor

By Galileo and out of a sister to a 1m4f winner, Aikhal was always going to come into his own when getting a trip and he improved significantly on his form over shorter when landing a 1m2f Group 3 at the Curragh in June by four and a quarter lengths.

He was a class apart that day, and the fact trainer Aidan O'Brien has waited for a crack at this Group 2 St Leger trial with this Doncaster entrant, without having a run since, is probably a tip in itself.

Aikhal kept on strongly when successful at the Curragh, looking better the further he went, and there should be plenty of further improvement to come now he is stepped up to 1m4f for the first time.

Cruyff Turn

Clipper Logistics Handicap (3.00 Thursday)

Odds: 12-1

By Matt Rennie, reporter

Cruyff Turn brings an unbeaten course-and-distance record into the race and it's a shock to see he's not a single-figure price at his favourite track.

He was a game winner in a similar contest at the Dante meeting off just 3lb lower and that form is red-hot having produced multiple winners since, including Bunbury Cup winner Bless Him.

Cruyff Turn was just three lengths behind him at Newmarket – a track which didn't play to his strengths – and a return to the Knavesmire will suit better.

Isla Kai

Clipper Logistics Handicap (3.00 Thursday)

Odds: 16-1

By Richard Birch, tipster

Isla Kai looked nailed-on for a valuable mile handicap this term following his excellent Newbury Spring Cup fourth to Modern News in April.

While the winner has since performed admirably in Group 3 and Listed company, Isla Kai has also delivered a string of creditable efforts, including a Royal Hunt Cup sixth.

His mark has dropped 2lb since Newbury, and it's entirely possible this front-runner will prove difficult to peg back on a track that usually favours that style of racing.

This could well be the day he pops up at a big price.

Cormier

Sky Bet Handicap (1.50 Friday)

Odds: 10-1

By James Hill, tipster

This 138-rated hurdler has won three of his last five starts on the Flat, and he might still be in improving.

The handicapper has raised him 8lb for his win at Chester last month, which was a good performance considering he had to round the field on the home turn.

He's a course-and-distance winner and his jumps mark suggests he's still not badly treated, and while this race usually goes to a four-year-old, Cormier is taken to end that trend this time.

Shampion

Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies' Handicap (4.10 Friday)

Odds: 6-1

By David Jennings, deputy Ireland editor

I've invested in John Leeper for the Ebor and would advise you to take the 16-1 still on offer if you fancy him. He'll likely go off at single figures.

The best bet on the Knavesmire this week is Shampion on Friday, though. She has been handed an opening handicap mark of 84 following a stylish maiden win at Windsor and I'll be disappointed if she doesn't prove that to be pretty lenient.

William Hill go 6-1 and that looks twice as big as she should be. The aforementioned Windsor win was her first try beyond a mile and she has untapped potential over 1m2f-1m4f given she's out of a dam who was closely related to useful stayer UAE King. Indeed, it wouldn't surprise me were she to go on and prove herself to be a stakes performer. If that's the case, a mark of 84 is a gift.

Licence

Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (3.35 Saturday)

Odds: 16-1

By Owen Goulding, tipster

Ger Lyons has enjoyed recent success in the Ebor and I fancy Licence to double his tally in the race. He does lack experience, which is a small worry, but he went down by just half a length to Lafayette on his second start and that form suggests a mark of 103 is within range.

His first try over 1m4f at Leopardstown last time, where he flashed home for fourth on his first start since being gelded, suggested he would relish an extra two furlongs and any incoming rain would be in his favour.

2022 Ebor festival offers

• Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new and existing customers, and all you need is an account. Sign up here.
• Sky Bet are offering new customers free bets when they sign up. You can get them, along with money-back specials and extra places, here.
• Betfair have lots of offers, extra places and money-back offers. Sign up for a new account here.
• To get a free bet from Ladbrokes today, simply sign up to a new account here.
• Don't have a Coral account? They have an offer for new customers here.
• bet365 have a new customer offer available. Sign up here.
• New William Hill customers can claim free bets here and benefit from their money-back offers here.
• If you're a new customer, Tote will give you a free bet. Sign up here to claim.

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'The main rain risk is between now and midnight' - York faces storm threat

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