Check out the key trends ahead of York's opening Sky Bet And Symphony Group Handicap on Wednesday.
We've teamed up with Weatherbys to look at some of the Ebor Festival stats that you’ll need to know before parting with your cash at the spectacular meeting on the Knavesmire...
York 1.55 Sky Bet And Symphony Group Handicap
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TRENDS
0/9 - Winning favourites
7/9 - Starting Price 9/1 or bigger
9/9 - Ran within previous 25 days
7/9 - Aged four, five or six
6/9 - Ran at Glorious Goodwood
VERDICT
An ultra-competitive handicap to kick-off the ever-popular Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival, and first things first, favourites do not have an appealing record, failing to win any of the nine runnings to date. Also, only one winner has won this having had just one start during the current campaign, with eight of the nine winners running at least four times. So not great reading for supporters of the early market leader, Culturati.
One recurring trend that has developed over the race's short history is that the class horses usually come to the fore, with seven winners carrying 9st 4lb or more, five of which were all rated above 100.
It has also paid to have been busy during the season, with eight of the winners having had a least four runs during the current campaign, six of which had run six times or more. As a result it’s no surprise that all nine winners had run within the previous 25 days.
Those who ran at Glorious Goodwood are also worth additional attention, as six of the nine winners won this having been beaten at the prestigious summer meeting.
Overall, the one who appeals most, ticking five of the six boxes, and only narrowly missing out on the weight trend because of Rossa Ryan’s 3lb claim, is John Quinn’s EL ASTRONAUTE.
He’s been a model of consistency this term and looks poised for another big run. He has an 8lb pull in the weights with Tis Marvellous on their recent clash at the Shergar Cup, and having pulled well clear of the third horse at Goodwood two starts ago, continues to be competitive off his current mark. He also went agonisingly close off this mark at York earlier in the season, so we know he acts well on the track.
Of the others, Gracious John could also be worth a second look. He finished ahead of El Astronaute at Ascot last time out (3lb worse off here) and is 5lb better off with the winner, Tis Marvellous.
He’s only 1lb above his last winning mark and his recent form suggests he can get his head in front in the coming weeks.
Bettrends verdict
1st EL ASTRONAUTE
2nd Gracious John
