Betfred Ebor betting preview

With many of us still trying to catch our breath at Frankel’s sublime seven length demolition job in the Juddmonte International on Wednesday, attention must though switch to one of the biggest betting handicaps of the racing calendar as York prepares to stage the latest renewal of its showpiece event – the Betfred Ebor, over 1m6f. Since the final declarations were made on Thursday, heavy downpours of rain changed the going description to good, from good to firm, good in places and quicker conditions now look unlikely with further forecast rain expected before Saturday. Make sure you check out our list of free bets available for this race here.

But that news, however, is perhaps less of a hindrance to the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Motivado, ante-post favourite for the Betfred Ebor, after his 4Ib penalty for an impressive victory at Glorious Goodwood ensured he made the cut for the valuable 20-runner handicap. The four-year-old son of Motivator had been trading around the 9-2 mark prior to Thursday lunchtime’s draw, where he was allocated stall number 8 and has since been trimmed into 7-2 across the board. Sir Mark took this very race 18 years ago with Hasten To Add, and this assignment looks to have been the plan for Motivado since his going away win under Luke Morris on the Sussex Downs three weeks ago. Shouldering just 8-12, Motivado certainly looks to hold a favourrite’s chance in the race and with the trip and ground both fine he is likely to be thereabouts at the business end of the contest. But as market leaders go, and especially those as short as him, there are reasons for opposing and the way he dropped out so tamely at York on his penultimate start is a worry. He also finished well down the pecking order on his only other visit to the Knavesmire last August, therefore his likeness for this venue has to be taken on trust.

And for those against Sir Mark’s flagbearer on the grounds that his price is far too short will be pleased to read that four out of the last five Ebor winners have returned at 25-1, 14-1, 25-1 and 100-1. On that evidence, Tominator must enter calculations at 20-1, if he is able to recapture the form of his 2011 Northumberland Plate win at Newcastle. Reg Hollinshead’s charge has been disappointing in his two runs so far this term but should strip fitter for his latest Haydock outing. Arguably few horses arrive in better form than the John Holt-trained Number Theory, who added the Old Newton Cup to his portfolio last month. Now rated 5Ib higher, he will not mind softening underfoot conditions but all his four wins to date have come around Haydock.

Course specialist Crackentorp is one to note seriously having won three times at the course over 1m4f. Trained locally by Tim Easterby, he stayed on well to take second behind Ile De Re on bottomless ground in this year’s Northumberland Plate but was disappointing in the Silver Cup last time out. It is a similar story for Area Fifty One, who will have the services of Kieren Fallon for the first time, who might have been a shade unfortunate at York last time when squeezed for room and stumbling when about to deliver his challenge. He stayed on at the one pace to finish five lengths back in fifth and although he is untried beyond 1m4f, he has shaped as if the extra distance might suit. With the Cheltenham Festival you can profit from hefty free bet offers from top UK bookmakers.

John Gosden and William Buick are in flying form and there was much to like about the lightly-raced Camborne’s victory in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap at Ascot in June. Buick’s mount met trouble in running but ran on strongly to lead inside the furlong pole with Hammerfest and Harrison’s Cave – who reoppose again here – back in second and third respectively. Enjoy a free bet up to £50 when you bet with race sponsor Betfred on this or any other event this weekend.

Ebor free bets and offers

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