The trio of pundits—Kate Tracey, Sam Boswell and Declan Rix—turned their full attention to York’s marquee race, the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap, as the weekend’s highlight. With a maximum of twenty‑two runners allowed to start, trainer Willie Mullins was keen to add a third victory in four years to his Ebor résumé on Saturday. His stable featured two promising contenders, Love Me Tender and Mr Hollywood, both hoping to emulate the recent Breeders’ Cup Turf champion Ethical Diamond, who had previously triumphed in the York feature.
"I wasn’t necessarily looking for a classic hold‑up runner because last year’s edition unfolded in a rather tactical fashion and was ultimately won by a horse that went on to claim a Breeders’ Cup victory," Mullins explained. "What struck me, though, was how the front‑runners performed admirably that day, so I wanted a horse that could replicate that kind of race‑profile." When asked about Spinning Wheel, Mullins noted that the gelding has spent much of his career racing prominently. "In his most recent outing he was dropped almost to the back, and to be blunt, I don’t think the plan was to win that day," he admitted.
"However, that effort left him in superb condition. He does carry a penalty for his past performances, but even with that added weight he is officially just one pound under the handicap mark. On top of that, Mason Patton will be taking an additional five pounds off his back, which should improve his chances further." Mullins also described the horse’s physical attributes: "He rides low to the ground, has a slight knee action, and horses with that conformation tend to handle this type of ground better than most.
Moreover, the Crisford operation is firing on all cylinders, boasting a 31 percent strike‑rate. Their horses are fit, confident and thriving at the moment." The panel reminded listeners that they can stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and feature stories by following Sky Sports Racing on their mobile devices. Switching focus to Love Me Tender, Mullins confessed a shift in his assessment: "Initially this was the opposite of the type of profile I’d normally back, and I had to question my instincts while preparing for the race.
Yet I’m increasingly drawn to Love Me Tender. He’s a big, rangy galloper who possesses the turn of foot and battle‑hardened experience that this race demands.
While you could argue he lacks a certain polish, Willie Mullins’ horses are never short of experience; they’re simply trained to be tough. The colt fetched €180,000 at auction, which speaks to his underlying quality." He added, "He’s completely unexposed at this level, and William Buick has been booked to ride him. I like his draw in post 15, and Willie has already won two of the last three Ebor Handicaps, which gives me confidence in his preparation." The broadcast encouraged fans to keep up with the latest horse‑racing headlines, interviews and features via Sky Sports Racing’s platforms. Sam Boswell highlighted the evolving nature of the race: "The Ebor has become more and more competitive in recent years.
When you look at the trends, backing a Willie Mullins runner is always tempting because he knows how to win here and often targets this event. However, I didn’t pick either of his horses simply because I couldn’t construct a compelling case for the German form, despite my respect for his record." He turned his attention to another contender, Emit, noting the potential of the partnership between Joseph O’Brien and Ryan Moore: "I thought Joseph O’Brien and Ryan Moore might be the right combination for Emit, an intriguing runner who showed a lot of promise in his fourth start at Royal Ascot. He’s a very nice type—battle‑hardened, which is exactly what you need for the Ebor, and stepping up in distance should suit him well.
I’m eager to see how he handles the trip. With Ryan Moore aboard, you have a top‑class jockey, and Joseph O’Brien’s training has been flawless lately." Overall, the panel’s discussion underscored the depth of talent heading into the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap, the strategic considerations of trainers and jockeys, and the excitement that surrounds one of Britain’s most prestigious staying races. The conversation also highlighted the importance of weight penalties, draw positions, ground conditions, and the nuanced decisions that can tip the balance between victory and defeat in a field of twenty‑two seasoned competitors.