Do you need a Group horse for the Ebor? Keith Melrose is not convinced

Saturday: 3.35 York
Sky Bet Ebor Handicap | 1m6f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

It is almost becoming a truism to say that the Ebor is a Listed or minor Group race in disguise. While this year's running emphasises the point in literal terms – 16 of the 22 declared runners made their most recent start in a Group or Listed race – do not take it too literally.

Where big money is made available to handicappers, expect plots. That goes for the Ebor as much as it does the Sunday Series. The difference with a race that demands a three-figure rating just to get in the door is that 'plots' are less about concealment and more about preservation.