The trio of experts—Kate Tracey, Sam Boswell and Declan Rix—turned their focus to York’s marquee race, the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap, for their weekend analysis. With a maximum field size of twenty‑two runners, trainer Willie Mullins entered the contest hoping to notch his third victory in four years at the Ebor, fielding two strong contenders: Love Me Tender and Mr Hollywood. Both horses are looking to emulate the recent Breeders' Cup Turf champion Ethical Diamond, who also triumphed in the York feature.
Kate began by explaining her tactical preferences, noting that last year’s edition had unfolded in a more strategic, slower manner before a late‑running winner went on to claim Breeders’ Cup glory. She said she was seeking a horse that could sit comfortably off the pace, yet still possess the turn of foot to accelerate when the race unfolded. “I wasn’t after a pure front‑runner,” she remarked, “because the previous renewal turned tactical and was eventually won by a horse that later captured the Breeders’ Cup. I wanted a runner that could settle nicely and then unleash a similar type of finish.” She turned her attention to Spinning Wheel, a horse that has traditionally been ridden prominently throughout its career.
However, in its most recent outing the horse was dropped towards the rear of the field, a move that surprised many. “Honestly, I’m not sure the plan was to win that day,” Kate admitted, “but the fact that the horse finished strongly tells me it is in great condition.” She added that Spinning Wheel would be carrying a penalty for its previous performance, yet even with that weight added the horse remains officially one pound well‑in. On top of that, jockey Mason Paetel is expected to claim an additional five‑pound allowance, further improving the horse’s chances.
Describing the horse’s physical attributes, Kate noted that Spinning Wheel moves low to the ground with a slight knee action, a conformation that tends to handle the softer York turf better than many other runners. She also praised the Crisford stable, which she described as “rocking and rolling” with a 31 percent strike‑rate, indicating that their horses are both fit and thriving at the moment.
Sam Boswell shifted the conversation to Love Me Tender, expressing a degree of uncertainty about his own instincts. “This is the opposite of a profile I would normally back,” he said, “and I had to question myself while preparing for this race, but I’m being drawn to Love Me Tender.” He highlighted the horse’s size and rangy stride, emphasizing that the Ebor demands a competitor with both a sharp turn of foot and battle‑hardened experience. “Willie Mullins’ horses never look inexperienced; they’re simply trained to be tough,” Sam observed, noting that Love Me Tender was purchased for €180,000.
Sam also mentioned that the colt is still relatively unexposed on the big stage, with William Buick slated to ride. He liked the draw in post position 15 and pointed out that Mullins has already won two of the last three Ebors, underscoring the trainer’s proven record in the event. Declan Rix added his perspective on the evolving quality of the race.
“The Ebor has gotten better and better in recent years,” he said, noting the growing depth of the field and the strategic importance of targeting this race. Declan argued that while Mullins’ entries are always worth considering, he struggled to construct a compelling case for the German form that week, despite respecting the trainer’s achievements. Instead, Declan turned his attention to the partnership of Joseph O’Brien and Ryan Moore aboard Emit, describing the horse as an “interesting runner” with a solid fourth‑place finish at Royal Ascot. He believed Emit’s battle‑hardened nature and his upcoming step up in distance would serve him well in the longer Ebor trip.
“He has the right jockey in Ryan Moore, and Joseph O’Brien can do no wrong at the moment,” Declan concluded, expressing anticipation for how the horse would perform. Overall, the panel highlighted several key themes for the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap: the importance of a horse that can settle off the pace yet accelerate decisively, the advantage of trainers with a proven record at York, and the value of horses that possess both physical suitability for the ground and a hard‑knocking racing résumé. They also underscored the impact of weight allowances, jockey selections, and draw positions on the final outcome.
As race day approaches, punters and enthusiasts will be weighing these insights against the form lines, betting markets, and the ever‑changing conditions at York Racecourse. For those who want to stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and features, Sky Sports Racing offers a dedicated mobile platform that delivers real‑time updates, expert analysis and behind‑the‑scenes stories straight to your phone. Whether you are a seasoned tipster or a casual fan, the service promises to keep you informed about every development in the world of horse racing, from the Ebor Handicap to the biggest international contests.