Kevin Blake has highlighted three horses he believes could deliver strong performances on the first day of the York Ebor Festival, an afternoon that will culminate with the prestigious Juddmonte International Stakes. The Ebor Festival, held at York, is widely regarded as one of the premier four‑day flat racing meetings in Europe. It features a blend of high‑quality stakes contests and fiercely contested handicap races, offering something for every type of racing enthusiast.
In the coming columns I will try to pinpoint a handful of winners from this rich program. The meeting kicks off on Wednesday with the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap at 1:50 p.m., a race that promises a tricky start to the festival.
The field is expected to be spread out across the track, and although the odds have shortened since betting opened, I am staying loyal to The Man, trained by Richard Spencer. Spencer is enjoying what could be the best season of his career, particularly excelling in valuable sprint handicaps. The Man has already demonstrated a liking for York, having won here in May 2025 and finishing a very respectable second in this same race last year when carrying a rating of 92. Although a winter campaign in Dubai did not produce the anticipated riches, there is no reason to think his connections have not been targeting this meeting ever since his return from the post‑Dubai break.
He has had two preparatory runs in the last seven weeks, each one shaking off any rust and showing good form. With a favourable draw that has historically suited him, The Man should be poised to give a strong, perhaps even winning, effort.
Next up at 2:25 p.m. is the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes, the first of a series of juvenile contests that will showcase the season's most promising two‑year‑olds. My pick for this race is Alfred Wallace, trained by Ed Walker.
A son of the prolific sire Dubawi and out of the exceptional mare Snow Lantern, Alfred Wallace is bred for both speed and stamina. He displayed considerable promise when he recorded an impressive winning figure at Thirsk in May, and he then travelled well in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket, where he set a strong pace before weakening near the finish. His performance at Ascot in the Pat Eddery Stakes, over a tougher seven‑furlong distance, revealed a new tactical approach: his connections dropped him back early and let him settle before making a late run. The plan paid off handsomely, as he overcame traffic and secured a decisive victory.
Having now found the optimal racing style, I expect Alfred Wallace to be a serious contender in the Acomb and possibly to step up in class later in the season. The final selection for the day comes from another highly competitive sprint handicap, the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap at 4:45 p.m. I recommend taking a chance on Underwriter, trained by Michael Keady. This three‑year‑old could turn out to be one of the season's best value bets.
He was purchased for a modest 4,600 guineas at a Tattersalls online sale in early July, indicating that his current owners saw untapped potential. His debut for the new owners was only mildly encouraging, but his most recent run in a valuable sprint handicap at Ascot was far more telling.
After being boxed in and forced to the rear of his group in the final furlong, he produced a powerful finishing burst, covering the last 100 yards in a flash and would have been a close third with a fraction more ground. The handicapper has already dropped his rating significantly from a high of 92, meaning he should be well‑handicapped for the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing race. If he can replicate the turn of foot he showed at Ascot, he stands a strong chance of delivering a lucrative win.
Overall, the opening day of the Ebor Festival offers a mixture of proven talent and emerging prospects. The Man brings experience and a proven track record at York, Alfred Wallace combines elite breeding with a newly discovered optimal race plan, and Underwriter offers a high‑reward, low‑cost opportunity for punters willing to back a lightly‑priced three‑year‑old.
As the festival progresses, these selections could set the tone for a week of thrilling racing, and I will continue to monitor the form and provide further insights in future columns.