The panel of Kate Tracey, Sam Boswell and Declan Rix paid special attention to York’s feature event, the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap.
With a maximum field of 22 going to post, Willie Mullins attempts to make it three wins in four years in the Ebor on Saturday, with Love Me Tender and Mr Hollywood bidding to follow in the footsteps of subsequent Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Ethical Diamond in winning the York feature.
Attheraces.com Declan Rix
“I’m not sure I wanted to be on a proper hold-up horse because last year’s renewal turned a little tactical and was eventually won by a horse who went to win at the Breeders’ Cup but I think horses on the pace stood up really well there and I wanted a horse who would have a similar sort of ride.
“Spinning Wheel has been a horse that’s been ridden prominently for the most part of his career but last-time-out they dropped him out nearly last and I’m not sure it was the plan to win if I’m being brutally honest but what it does mean is that he’s in great order.
“He’s got to carry a penalty for that but even with that penalty he’s still officially one pound well-in and that’s before you factor in Mason Paetel taking a further five pounds off his back. Physically, he moves low to the ground, has a little bit of a knee action and I think those types of horses go through this ground better than most. On top of that, the Crisfords are rocking and rolling, operating at a 31 per cent strike-rate, their horses are fit and they’re thriving!”
Host Kate Tracey
“This is the exact opposite of a profile that I would ever want to side with, and I did have to keep question myself when preparing for this race but I’m being drawn into Love Me Tender.
“He’s a big, rangy galloper and for this race you need a horse who has a turn of foot and is battle-hardened, which you couldn’t argue is the case for him but Willie Mullins’ horses never look devoid of experience, they’re just trained to be so hardy and he was picked up for 180,000 euros.
“He’s totally unexposed, William Buick has been booked to ride, I like his draw in 15 and Willie has won two of the last three Ebors.”
BetVictor’s Sam Boswell…
“This race has just got better and better in recent years!
“On the trends you just want to back a Willie Mullins horse and both of his are quite interesting. You have to respect that fact that he knows how to win this race and he’s willing to target this race but I didn’t go for either of his just because I couldn’t make a strong enough case for the for the German form, for all I respect that.
“I thought Joseph O’Brien and Ryan Moore might be the way to go here with Emit who is an interesting runner and I just have so much time for his fourth at Royal Ascot. I think there could be more to come, he’s a really nice type, he’s just battle-hardened which you’re going to want for this race, and I think going back up in trip is going to be really helpful as well.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how he gets on. He’s got the right man onboard in Ryan Moore and Joseph O’Brien can do no wrong at the moment.”