'One of our biggest losers of the week' - bookmakers share their big York fears

A cracking four-day Ebor festival at York begins on Wednesday with various short-priced favourites set to grace the Knavesmire. Find out who the bookmakers fear most at the meeting . . .

Paddy Power: 'Two popular in Juddmonte to topple big guns'

Alcohol Free and Mohaafeth have been popular in the Juddmonte International to topple the big guns.

On-fire Yorkshire-born trainer William Haggas would dearly love to win the Ebor and Hamish has been well supported at tasty double-figure prices after still finishing fourth in the Hardwicke Stakes despite being hampered and losing a shoe.
Paul Binfield

Betfair: 'Haggas Ebor hope causing biggest headache'

A horse who has been on the missing list is causing our Sportsbook traders the biggest headache. We haven't seen Ebor entry Hamish since he was fourth in the Hardwicke in 2020 but he has been well backed at 20-1 to give William Haggas a first win in the festival feature.
Barry Orr

Hamish: money is being reported for the William Haggas-trained performer for the EborCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Unibet: 'Huge bonus if Ballydoyle hotpot is defeated'

The big handicaps of the week including the Ebor look incredibly competitive and it's hoped those races save the day for us should the supposed 'good things' win.

These include the big odds-on shot for the week trained by Aidan O'Brien in Snowfall and if we get her beat it will be a huge bonus to us. Of the other favourites, Stradivarius is almost certain to be very popular in the Lonsdale Cup and will probably be one of our biggest losers of the week.

Now a seven-year-old, it's highly likely his best days are behind him and he is one we will be looking to get beat. The already well-supported Space Blues in the City of York and Sandrine in the Lowther are also likely to go off big losers in what promises to be a rollercoaster of a week.
Brett Williams

Coral: 'Frankie Dettori could be a big factor'

We've already dodged what would have been one popular result on the Knavesmire this week with the late absence of odds-on favourite St Mark's Basilica from the Juddmonte International, although it goes without saying we would much rather have seen the Ballydoyle colt line up in Wednesday's race.

Without him, his stablemate Love will take her chance and she could easily replace Mishriff as favourite by race time, given her popularity.

Frankie Dettori: bookmakers fear the popular Italian could have a fantastic Friday in storeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Having missed the Goodwood Cup, Stradivarius will be a warm order to win another Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup, particularly with the good going likely to rule out big rival Trueshan. The stayer's jockey Frankie Dettori could also be a big factor in Golden Pal being sent off favourite for the Wootton Bassett Coolmore Nunthorpe over Suesa on what could be a fantastic Friday for the Italian.

Finally, the Sky Bet Ebor ends the week on a betting high, and ante-post market leader Live Your Dream has already shortened from 20-1 down to his current single-figure odds, making the Godolphin runner the one to fear at this stage.
David Stevens

William Hill: 'Saldier could well go off favourite'

We have already dodged one bullet with the defection of St Mark's Basilica from the Juddmonte International, not only had he been popular in singles but he featured in plenty of multiple bets alongside the likes of Snowfall.

The weather forecast looks favourable for Stradivarius in the Lonsdale and he has been shortening steadily in that market in the last seven days and he will clearly be shorter again if the ground is deemed too quick for Trueshan.

Saldier: two-time Grade 1 winner and Galway Hurdle hero could be set to plunder a big prize on the FlatCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Space Blues has been very well backed for the City of York after missing the Hungerford to come here but his task has become tougher with the supplementary entry of Primo Bacio.

Live Your Dream has been well backed ante-post for the big betting race of the week, the Ebor, but he is not absolutely guaranteed to get into the race. If he misses out then the equally well-backed Saldier could well go off favourite.
Jamie McBride

Read more on the Ebor festival:

William Haggas readying four-strong squad in search of elusive first Ebor

David Egan: Mishriff will be very hard to beat in Juddmonte International

Eight experts pick out their dark horses to follow at York this week

'We need a bit of luck' – Willie Mullins hopes Saldier can make Ebor cut

All the essential information for York's Ebor Festival 2021

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