Eight experts pick out their dark horses to follow at York this week

Ehraz
Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (2.25), Wednesday

Very few juveniles have caught the eye quite like Ehraz this season. The son of Showcasing began his career in an above-average novice event at Newmarket and raced greenly throughout the first furlong after blowing the start.

He learned quickly on the job, though, and travelled into contention like a potential star, eventually going down by just two lengths to Noble Truth, who reopposes here.

The Richard Hannon-trained colt was far more professional last time at Ascot and breezed clear in a quick time, posting the fastest final three furlongs in the process. With further improvement to come, he is expected to reverse the form with his Newmarket conqueror.

He won't be the biggest-priced horse tipped in this piece, but Ehraz still represents plenty of value at his current odds.
Tom Collins, tipster

Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (1.50), Thursday

Karl Burke described Illustrating as one of the quickest juveniles he has ever had after her impressive debut success, and the well-bred daughter of Showcasing may be going under the radar to take the step up to Group level in her stride.

Burke admitted after her easy maiden victory at Catterick that she had been rushed to get a run before the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot – showing just how fond the Group 1-winning trainer is of her – in which she was by no means disgraced by finishing five and three quarter lengths behind Quick Suzy.

Illustrating followed that up by scorching clear to win a strong 5f conditions stakes at Goodwood (Albany Stakes seventh Anadora and three-time winner Canonized were behind), with both of her wins coming on ground ranging from good to firm to soft. The flat, speedy 6f on the Knavesmire should also play to her strengths for connections who won this race with Living In The Past in 2019.
Matt Rennie, reporter

Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (1.50), Thursday

Punters may overlook this debut winner as she has not been seen since May, but if she does run at York they should pay close attention.

Hermana Estrella (right): the Lowther entry could be very excitingCredit: Caroline Norris

The filly beat Quick Suzy at Naas, form that has been given a huge boost after that filly went to Royal Ascot and won the Queen Mary.

Hermana Estrella made a winning debut in a Group 3, which gives some indication of the regard she is held in by the Fozzy Stack team. She could be very exciting.
David Baxter, Juvenile Judge

Clipper Logistics Handicap (3.00), Thursday

Owners Gallop Racing and trainer David O'Meara landed this valuable handicap with Firmament five years ago and could attempt to repeat the feat with new recruit Tammani.

He cost €24,000 at a recent Arqana sale and could prove good value if bouncing back to his best.

His juvenile form for William Haggas included a Listed win at Deauville, a third behind Pyledriver [a place in front of Subjectivist] in a similar event at Haydock, and a close fourth in a Chantilly Group 3.

He has been gelded before his stable debut and it would be no surprise to see O'Meara work his magic again.
Jack Haynes, reporter

Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (3.35), Friday

The top four in the betting for this year's Nunthorpe are all three-year-olds. However, the Classic generation don't have a great record in the Group 1 having not won it since 2011, while there have been only seven winners from that age group since 1992.

Chipotle (Charles Bishop) win the Windsor Castle StakesAscot 16.6.21 Pic: Edward Whitaker/ Racing PostCredit: Edward Whitaker

Two-year-olds have not had anything like as high a representation but have won the race twice in that time. Their overall record isn't special, but there have been a couple of juveniles placed since 2009, and it is generally viewed that the weight allowance they receive in this race is more generous than that given to three-year-olds.

If you have some doubts about those at the top of the market, as I do, then the pair of youngsters entered are overpriced. Chipotle and Boonie finished first and third in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot, the same race in which 2007 winner Kingsgate Native was placed before landing this a couple of months later.
James Hill, tipster

British Stallions Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes (4.10), Friday

Dawn Of Liberation, who holds an entry in the Group 1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes in October, was a major eyecatcher when third at Newbury on his debut last month.

Although put firmly in his place by impressive Reach For The Moon – now rated officially 103 – the half-brother to Toormore, a Group 1 winner as a two-year-old, kept on in pleasing fashion throughout the final furlong under considerate handling.

He emphatically looks the type to make significant improvement from his first to second start, and this prestigious maiden rates a stepping stone to bigger and better things.
Richard Birch, tipster

Sky Bet Ebor (3.35), Saturday

On the face of it Eagles By Day was a little disappointing on his comeback in the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood last month, but on Racing Post Ratings it was a much better effort than his seasonal return the past two years.

Eagles By Day improved 21lb and 29lb on RPRs from first to second run in those campaigns and if he steps forward from his 103 over an inadequate 1m4f he is a big player in the Ebor.

He scored over course and distance last season, is top course sponsors Clipper Logistics' sole entry in the race, and makes plenty of appeal at a best-priced 33-1 for what has likely been his long-term target.
Robbie Wilders, tipster

Sky Bet Ebor (3.35), Saturday

As a Yorkshireman, William Haggas often targets the Ebor meeting. This year he has the 2019 Melrose winner Hamish entered in both the Lonsdale Cup and Ebor, which is particularly interesting given the horse's background.

Hamish: absent since finishing a luckless fourth in last year's Hardwicke StakesCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He comes from a family Haggas knows well as his father Brian Haggas owns and bred him, as well as his dam Tweed and her half-brothers, Group 3 winner Harris Tweed and Group 1 Doomben Cup winner Beaten Up.

Hamish has been absent since finishing a luckless fourth in last year's Hardwicke Stakes and at the time was among the market leaders for the Ebor. He also finished a neck behind Trueshan in a conditions stakes in October 2019 in which he was the 4-7 favourite.

Trueshan has since won a Listed, Group 2 and Group 1 and is now rated 118, while Hamish remains on 108. Unbeaten over the Ebor course and distance, Hamish could easily be well handicapped and was one of the most exciting horses around two years ago.
Maddy Playle, RPTV

Read more on York's Ebor festival:

'She's thriving so why not' – Alcohol Free to run in Juddmonte International

Stradivarius in tune for bid to land Lonsdale Cup for a third time

Glass Slippers to miss Nunthorpe ahead of Flying Five defence

Yorkshire Oaks confirmations: Snowfall on course to repeat Enable heroics

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