Kevin Blake, the resident tipster for Sky Sports Racing, has laid out three selections he believes will stand out as the Ebor Festival at York moves into its second day on Thursday. While the headline races will undoubtedly deliver top‑class action for the crowds, Blake points out that the true value for punters often lies in the undercard, where the betting markets can be more open and the odds more rewarding. The first race Blake highlights is the Sir Kevin Sinfield 7‑In‑7 Grand Finale Handicap, scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. This race is another classic, tightly‑contested handicap that challenges even the most seasoned handicappers.
Blake believes that William Haggas may have a strong contender in the form of BULLET POINT, a five‑year‑old who captured this same race a year ago when he started from a rating of 100. In that winning effort, BULLET POINT broke well from a favourable draw, settled into a comfortable rhythm, and then accelerated with authority to take the prize. Since that triumph, however, the horse’s career trajectory has not followed a smooth upward curve.
A venture to Australia ended in disappointment, and a subsequent six‑month spell away from the track further stalled his progress. Upon his return, it would not be surprising if his connections have been carefully planning a comeback centred around this particular handicap. Earlier in the season, BULLET POINT showed flashes of promise in two valuable handicap outings, and after another 12‑week break he ran creditably at the Shergar Cup, only being beaten by a rival who drifted off the lead and gave him a hard time.
For Thursday’s race he will carry a rating of 101, slightly higher than his previous win, and although his draw this year is not as advantageous as the one that helped him last season, Blake feels the horse still possesses the speed and stamina to contend for the lead. The second pick Blake recommends is the Mews Hotel Ossett EBF Stallions Nursery, which begins at 4:45 p.m. Three weeks prior, Blake’s column featured the Hugo Palmer‑trained MIA FANTASIA in a valuable nursery at Glorious Goodwood. That outing was a true test of the colt’s character; he was badly hampered in the running and, despite a poor final placing, displayed a turn of foot that suggested far more ability than the raw result indicated.
The underlying case for MIA FANTASIA remains compelling. He debuted at Carlisle with a winning performance, then stepped up to a high‑class novice contest at Ascot, where he was out‑finished by the future Vintage Stakes winner Dr Rascal.
A rating of 79 appears a fair assessment of his current ability, and the experience he gained at Goodwood should have sharpened his racing instincts. Blake expects the colt to be in a strong position to contest the nursery at York and perhaps even to win it.
Finally, Blake turns his attention to the British EBF Fillies’ Handicap, slated for a 5:20 p.m. start. This race, like the others, is a tough handicap that often produces a wide-open finish. Blake decides to back the Ed Walker‑trained SECRET HISTORY, a three‑year‑old filly who has already secured three victories this season.
Her most notable win came in a valuable seven‑furlong handicap at Newmarket in July, where she carried an extra four pounds and still prevailed. Her connections then tried her over six furlongs at Glorious Goodwood in a competitive fillies’ handicap, where she finished a respectable third but appeared to be stretched by the shorter distance. Returning to the seven‑furlong trip should suit her natural stamina and give her a better chance of repeating her earlier success. Blake believes that her proven ability at the longer distance, combined with a weight that is likely to be favourable, makes her a strong contender for the day’s final featured handicap.
In summary, Blake’s three picks for day two of the Ebor Festival focus on horses that have shown a blend of proven form, suitable distance preferences, and the potential to benefit from favorable weight assignments. By targeting the Sir Kevin Sinfield 7‑In‑7 Grand Finale Handicap with BULLET POINT, the Mews Hotel Ossett EBF Stallions Nursery with MIA FANTASIA, and the British EBF Fillies’ Handicap with SECRET HISTORY, Blake aims to highlight opportunities where the betting markets may not fully reflect the underlying strengths of these runners. Punters who follow his analysis should keep an eye on the draw, the weight, and any recent form changes that could influence the outcome of these tightly contested handicaps.