Horse Racing Betting – Ebor a Realistic Target for Bernie The Bolt

It’s probably fair to say that the form from Ascot’s Shergar Cup meeting doesn’t always work out elsewhere – but this year might be different! The totesport Ebor is one of the most competitive handicaps of the flat racing season but, this time around, hasn’t attracted the amount of ante-post money normally wagered on the race due to doubts over the participation of several fancied runners. Well the final declarations have been made so, from now on, you’ll get your money back if your selection doesn’t face the starter and I’m expecting a big run from Ascot winner Bernie The Bolt.

If his three-year-old campaign is any indicator then this is the time of year that Andrew Balding’s son of St Leger winner Milan begins to flourish. Out of a dam that also had stamina in abundance, Bernie The Bolt was always going to come into his own when tackling longer distances and that was certainly the case last autumn when he won a Lingfield maiden over 1m6f and a competitive handicap at Newmarket. Sandwiched in between was an excellent third in the Melrose Handicap over the same C&D as the Ebor so there are no fears over the track or trip or, indeed, the going as Bernie The Bolt has won on ground ranging from good to soft to good to firm. It was good to see the selection come back to winning ways at Ascot after an unlucky run behind Overturn (widely available at 7/1) in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle when trapped against the rail throughout. A strict interpretation of that Ascot success over Woolfall Treasure gives him the beating of current Ebor favourite Martyr (a general 5/1) at the weights so the 20/1 against our fancy with skybet, boylesports and sportingbet looks much too big and, with a strong pace almost guaranteed, he should go close despite the 4lbs penalty.

Considering the impressive record of three-year-olds in the Ebor, it’s a surprise to see none of the classic generation have made the final cut so the pick of the remainder could be The Betchworth Kid, who has a touch of class and will be all the better for his run at Goodwood. His trainer targets this race on occasion and he can be backed at 25/1 with sportingbet while last year’s fourth Nanton is the same price in general and 2009 Cesarewitch winner Darley Sun is priced up at 20/1 by most layers, though he’d be one who wouldn’t want any further rain.

Fortuni (10/1 with William Hill) and general 12/1 chance Elyaadi are others to consider but Bernie The Bolt is fancied to hit the target.

• Bernie The Bolt to win the totesport Ebor at 20/1 with skybet, boylesports and sportingbet
• The Betchworth Kid (each way) in the totesport Ebor at 25/1 with sportingbet