Richard Fahey column: Sky Bet Ebor Festival team

By Richard Fahey

17:12 · SAT August 26, 2023

Saturday

1.50 York - Spirit Dancer

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 106| C

6/1

We had various options for him this week but it’s hard to see a horse winning a big handicap from a rating of 107 which we would have been asking him to – and if he was able to win one then he’s a horse for something like the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes so we’re taking the direct route and going straight here. He has five or six pounds to find on Timeform ratings with some but we go there in great nick.

2.25 York - Golden Move

Golden Move¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82

28/1

A horse we really like and things just didn’t go right for him at Ascot last time. He’s one who we thought would be competitive in races like this and I hope that proves the case. He’s up in trip but I don’t think that will be a problem and if he was placed in a very deep race I’d be thrilled.

5.20 York - Have Secret

Have Secret²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| D

8/1

He’s run well all year, is going nicely at home and I’d love to see him win this. He’ll need to be at his very best to do so but showers are forecast and if they arrive and slow the race down a little, that will be in his favour.

2.05 Goodwood - Pretty Crystal

Pretty Crystal²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 98

7/2

We go up to seven furlongs on Saturday. I thought she was a little unlucky in the Princess Margaret last time, just getting stopped at the wrong time. I’m not saying she was unlucky but the winner Sacred Angel ran well to finish fourth in the Prix Morny next time.

It’s a warm race, I know Shuwari is very highly regarded, but my filly should go well.

3.15 Goodwood - Ramazan

Ramazan¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 101| D

9/2

He’s a good, hardy horse who doesn’t mind juice in the ground. He’s up three pounds for the win at Chepstow last time but I’d expect him to be competitive again.

4.59 Redcar - Showhound

Showhound¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: -| D

5/2

He’s progressing the whole time and I thought he did well to win at Ayr the other day when he was still very green in the finish. He’s going to continue to improve, he was broken in late and should go well despite the penalty.

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