Lucky 15: Birdman can continue to fly at York’s Ebor meeting
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York’s Ebor Festival got underway in the most explosive manner as we saw the previously unbeaten Derby winner Golden Horn getting overturned by 50/1 shot Arabian Queen.
And with that big price winner in mind, we are setting our sights on some tasty looking odds for day two of the meeting on the Knavesmire.
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Here are the quartet going into our each-way Lucky 15…
With sprints difficult at the best of times, the addition of juveniles improving at different rates makes this a tough way to start the day, but we’re taking a chance with Mark Johnston’s filly.
Two victories, including in a Listed race here at York preceded a more than respectable midfield finish behind “monster” and Nunthorpe Stakes favourite Acapulco.
She’s been given a break to prepare for this, unlike a lot of her rivals, and with her running style suggesting the extra furlong could see her in a better light, she could well run a massive race under Silvestre De Sousa.
Kevin Ryan’s filly coped with a step up to Group company at Royal Ascot when finishing just 1½l behind Illuminate in the Albany Stakes on just her second start.
With that winner following up next time out at Newmarket, and the horse in fourth Fireglow winning at Listed level before being placed in the Sweet Solera Stakes, Ryan could have a smart on one his hands.
The favourite could be smart, but looks extraordinarily short in the betting, and with the pair of Besharah and Easton Angel not too far ahead of the selection on collateral form through Luminate, a chance is taken on the less exposed type.
Beaten only a short head by Olympic Glory as a juvenile, Birdman’s career has never quite lived up to expectations, but in the hands of David O’Meara looks to be on a recovery mission.
Five wins and three further places since switching hands in April suggests there is still more to come from the gelding, and with a course and distance win last month, he’ll relish the test to come.
He was well beaten in a Listed contest by the smart Mondialiste last year, but back in handicap company can continue to eke out more off a mark just 7lbs higher than his last winning one.
The daughter of Galileo was third behind unbeaten Breeders’ Cup winner Lady Eli in the Belmont Oaks last time out, and with the fourth placed horse winning a Group 2 next time out, that looks solid.
A winner on soft ground in Ireland, any give in the surface will be fine and while she has yet to run this far, being a full sister to Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Magician gives us hope that the step up in trip will be fine.
The Ballydoyle handler has had three wins and two places from his last eight runners in the race so looks the perfect selection to round this each-way multiple off in a very competitive race.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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