Kevin Blake's York Advice: Day Two Selections at the Ebor Festival

Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing offers a fresh set of recommendations as the Ebor Festival at York moves into its second day on Thursday. While the headline races will undoubtedly deliver top‑class spectacle, it is often the supporting card that presents the richest betting value.

Below, Blake breaks down three races he believes merit close attention, providing context, form analysis, and his reasoning for each pick. **Sir Kevin Sinfield 7‑In‑7 Grand Finale Handicap – 3:00pm** This race is another classic, brutally competitive handicap that tests the skill of both trainer and jockey in finding the right weight and positioning.

Blake points to William Haggas’s five‑year‑old BULLET POINT as a standout contender. BULLET POINT captured this same contest last year from a 100‑pound mark, benefitting from an advantageous draw and cruising to a decisive win. Since that triumph, the horse’s trajectory has been uneven. A disappointing foray to Australia was followed by a six‑month spell, and his return to UK racing has been modest.

However, the colt has shown signs of resurgence in two valuable handicaps earlier this season, displaying a turn of foot and composure that suggest he is still capable of delivering a strong performance. After a 12‑week break, he ran a respectable race at the Shergar Cup, only being outpaced by a runner that broke loose early and proved too much to handle. With a weight of 101 pounds on the day, and despite a draw that isn’t as favourable as the previous year’s, Blake believes BULLET POINT possesses the class and stamina to contend for the win, especially if he can secure a good early position and dictate the pace.

**Mews Hotel Ossett EBF Stallions Nursery – 4:45pm** The second race highlighted by Blake is the Ossett Nursery, a contest for promising two‑year‑olds. Three weeks prior, Blake’s column featured Hugo Palmer’s MIA FANTASIA at Glorious Goodwood, a race that proved to be a trial by fire. The youngster’s run was marred by a poor draw and a chaotic race that left him with little chance to showcase his true ability. Yet, the underlying form was encouraging.

MIA FANTASIA debuted with a commanding victory at Carlisle, demonstrating a natural cruising speed and a willingness to settle. He then stepped up to a competitive novice event at Ascot, where he finished respectably behind the future Vintage Stakes winner Dr Rascal.

The experience gained from those runs, especially the exposure to higher‑class fields, appears to have sharpened his racing intellect. Assigned a weight of 79 pounds for the Ossett Nursery, Blake feels the colt is well‑handicapped and should be able to leverage his previous experience to secure a strong finish, potentially even a win if the pace suits his late‑run style.

**British EBF Fillies’ Handicap – 5:20pm** The final race Blake examines is a challenging fillies’ handicap that often produces surprise results. He backs Ed Walker’s three‑year‑old SECRET HISTORY, a filly who has already amassed three victories this season.

Her most notable win came in a valuable seven‑furlong handicap at Newmarket in July, where she carried an additional four pounds and still prevailed convincingly. Seeking to test her versatility, her connections dropped her back to six furlongs for a valuable fillies’ handicap at Glorious Goodwood. She ran a commendable race, finishing third, but the shorter distance seemed to stretch her stamina limits.

Returning to the seven‑furlong trip, which better suits her running style, should allow her to recycle her turn of foot and finish strongly. Blake notes that the filly’s consistency, adaptability, and proven ability to handle added weight make her a prime candidate for a top‑place finish, if not the outright win. **Broader Context and Betting Insights** Blake emphasizes that while the headline races at York will capture most of the media attention, the real betting value often lies in the under‑card where form nuances and weight assignments can be exploited.

Handicaps, in particular, reward trainers who can place a horse at the optimal weight to maximize its chances without overburdening it. Observing a horse’s recent work, travel history, and the quality of its previous opposition can provide clues about its true ability. For the Sir Kevin Sinfield Handicap, Blake suggests watching the early pace. If the front‑runners set a brisk tempo, a horse like BULLET POINT, which has shown a willingness to sit just off the lead, could benefit from a clear run.

Conversely, a slower early pace could favour a closer with a strong finishing kick. In the Ossett Nursery, the key will be the juvenile’s ability to handle the undulating York track, especially the uphill finish.

A horse with proven stamina, such as MIA FANTASIA, should find the final stages within reach. In the Fillies’ Handicap, Blake advises bettors to consider the weight spread. SECRET HISTORY carries a moderate weight relative to her peers, and her previous performances under higher burdens suggest she can handle the assignment comfortably. Additionally, her experience at Newmarket—a straight, fast track—should translate well to York’s left‑handed circuit, provided the ground is not overly testing.

**Conclusion** Kevin Blake’s three picks for Day Two of the Ebor Festival combine form analysis, weight considerations, and a dash of intuition about how each horse will handle York’s unique course. Whether you are a seasoned punter or a casual fan, focusing on these supporting races can yield both excitement and potential profit. Keep an eye on the early fractions, the draw, and any late‑race changes in pace, as they often dictate the outcome in tightly contested handicaps.

Good luck, and enjoy the racing action that York delivers each day of the festival.