The Skybet Ebor Handicap is run over one mile and six furlongs for horses aged three years or older and is the most valuable Flat handicap in Europe.
Ebor Handicap History and Trends
Established in 1843, the race is now one of the staying highlights of the Flat season carrying total prize money of more than £600,000. Trainers target it with their premier stayers with many past winners using it as a springboard to tackling Group company and races like the Melbourne Cup.
In the entire history of the race has a horse managed to win the event twice and that was almost 100 years ago. The roll of honour includes dual Champion Hurdler Sea Pigeon and smart stayer Further Flight.
Ebor Winners Since 2009
| ar | Horse | Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Muntahaa | 796-434 | 5 | 11-1 | John Gosden | Jim Crowley |
| 2017 | Nakeeta | 202-024 | 6 | 12-1 | Iain Jardine | Callum Rodriguez |
| 2016 | Heartbreak City | 00-1011 | 6 | 15-2 | Tony Martin | Adam McNamara |
| 2015 | Litigant | 11-21-11 | 7 | 33-1 | Joe Tuite | Oisin Murphy |
| 2014 | Mutual Regard | 222-131 | 5 | 20-1 | Johnny Murtagh | Louis Steward |
| 2013 | Tiger Cliff | 2132-12 | 4 | 5-1 | Lady Cecil | Tom Queally |
| 2012 | Willing Foe | 110-42-3 | 5 | 12-1 | Saeed bin Suroor | Frankie Dettori |
| 2011 | Moyenne Corniche | D-22350 | 6 | 25-1 | Brian Ellison | Dale Swift |
| 2010 | Dirar | 051-113 | 5 | 14-1 | Gordon Elliott | Jamie Spencer |
| 2009 | Sesenta | 213-127 | 5 | 25-1 | Willie Mullins | Willie Mullins |
- All but two of the last 10 winners starting at double-figure odds
- Only one winning favourite in 20 years
- Only one winner in 17 years has been older than six
- Only one four-year-old has won the race in the last 10 years
- No three-year-old has been successful since 2001
- Only one winner from a single-figure draw in 13 years
- More than half of the last 15 winners had run at least three times that season and won over at least 1m4f
The stats blow the myth that a low number is an advantage in this race. York is a galloping track and there is ample time for all to grab a decent position before the one and only turn in the race, which is gradual in any case.
King’s Advice is the 7/1 favourite with Unibet but, typical of a Mark Johnston runner, has not been allowed to rest on his laurels and carries a penalty for his latest victory at Goodwood.
Johnston also runs Baghdad (a general 14/1), who looks better treated, and the Chester Cup winner Making Miracles (a general 33/1).
Withhold is also among the market leaders having made a winning return to action at Newbury. He’s a smart stayer but hard to train and not without his quirks when he gets to the racecourse so the 15/2 with Bet365 might be a little short as he concedes weight to all of his rivals.
Sesenta won the Ebor for Willie Mullins 10 years ago and Ireland’s champion jumps trainer often targets one at the race. True Self has won three times in Listed company and was second in a Group 3 on her penultimate start. At a general 16/1, she’s be a better bet than stablemate Max Dynameite if you take the view that a poor run at Leopardstown was a one-off.
There are so many good stayers in this year’s race that you could tie yourself in knots trying to decipher the form. Red Verdon won a Group 3 over the course and distance of the Ebor six weeks ago but RAHEEN HOUSE was a close third that day and, on fractionally better terms, is taken to have his revenge.
William Haggas’ five-year-old has a solid York record and it’s testament to the company he’s been keeping that he is having his first-ever run in a handicap. A Listed winners over 1m6f and a Group 3 winner over 1m5f, it’s almost two years since he last got his head in front but he has that touch of class that typifies many recent Ebor winners and supporters should get a good run for their money at the general 8/1 as he holds Weekender and Kelly’s Dino on the form book.
At bigger prices, Haggas’ other runner Dramatic Queen should not be underestimated at 33/1 with Unibet and Cleonte may have each-claims from near the foot of the handicap at the same odds with Ladbrokes.
Skybet Ebor Handicap Current Best Odds
King’s Advice 7/1, Withhold 15/2, Raheen House 8/1, Ben Vrackie 10/1, Baghdad 14/1, Mustajeer, True Self and Wells Farhh Go 16/1, Mekong 18/1, Red Verdon and Weekender 20/1, Kelly’s Dino, Barsanti, The Grand Visir, Red Galileo and Raymond Tusk 25/1 Dramatic Queen, Max Dynamite, Prince Of Arran Desert Skyline and Making Miracles 33/1
(Odds correct at 5.30pm August 22)
