Saturday Racing Cheat Sheet: Best bets for ITV Racing on the final day of the York Ebor Festival

Tips Summary

Please Note: Prices quoted in table below were correct at time of each writer/tipster's column being published on Betting.Betfair.

Saturday Horse Racing Tips and Insight

13:50, York - Katie Midwinter: Expanded can stretch them out

First-time cheekpieces could spark some improvement in Aidan O'Brien-trained Expanded, who appears at a big price on the best of his form in this Group Three contest. He finished a close second to Shadow Of Light in the Group One Dewhurst Stakes as a juvenile in what was only his second career start, when placing ahead of the talented, sadly ill-fated Ancient Truth, and Seagulls Eleven.

The son of Wootton Bassett didn't quite kick on as a three-year-old but made only two starts in the early stages of his second campaign, both appearances in Classics, before returning from a 112-day break in September when only sixth in a Leopardstown Group Two.

This year, however, he began his season promisingly when half-a-length second to The Lion In Winter at Leopardstown. He was narrowly beaten by Wannabe Royal in his second start, and, although he does need to show further improvement stepping back up in class, The Lion In Winter was a Group One performer on his day and Expanded was entitled to improve for his opening run of the season. In the past, he has shown form at the top level and remains unexposed, lightly raced making only his eighth career start. 

Expanded does need to prove he has trained on enough to perform against some of the rivals he faces here, but the ceiling of his ability remains an unknown and he could be capable of showing further progression for a genius trainer.

14:25, York - Mark Milligan: Royal Ascot winner can score again

One who has already won at Group 2 level and now takes a class drop is Joseph O'Brien's Limestone, who took the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot back in June. The son of New Bay was completing a four-timer in that event, and he had subsequent Bahrain Trophy winner Point Of Law behind him that day, giving the form a really solid look.

On the back of that, Limestone was given a shot at the top level last time in the Grand Prix de Paris, but cut little ice that day, though that form does looks very strong with the winner Maltese Cross following up in the Great Voltigeur at York earlier this week.

The selection clearly commands plenty of respect dropped into his first handicap and, though he faces no easy task under 9 st 9lb, Tarriance proved in this race last year that that sort of weight can be carried to victory.

Joseph O'Brien has carried all before him in the big festivals so far this year and I'm hopeful Limestone can provide the stable with another big-race winner.

15:00, York - Katie Midwiner: Bermuda fancied to flourish

Andrew Balding has enjoyed a brilliant week at York so far and could find more success over the weekend. He saddles likeable mare Flora Of Bermuda in this competitive Group One, a contender with two previous course wins who appeared to handle the step up to 7f well when winning a Group Three at Goodwood when last seen.

The five-year-old has Group One form over the sprinting trips and is capable of holding her own in this company on a going day. She's unexposed over the distance and could be able to show further improvement, making appeal in the hands of Oisin Murphy.

15:35, York - Mark Milligan: Leader has the Klass to win Ebor

I was with Klassleader in the Old Newton Cup at Newmarket last time and there's no doubt he proved disappointing, but I think it's worth forgiving him that effort as he was tackling the fastest ground he's faced to date and may not have been entirely at home on it.

I suspect the William Haggas-trained four-year-old is much better judged on his win over 1m 4f at this course in May and he went straight into my Ebor notebook on the back of that.

The selection impressed with the way he picked up that day in a race that trainer has used frequently with some of his better handicappers down the years, running out a ready winner from Sing Us A Song.

On the back of that, I was all over Klassleader in that aforementioned Newmarket race last time, but I'm prepared to strike a line through that and conditions on the Knavesmire on Saturday should be much more up his street.

You can read Al Dudman's Big Race Verdict on the York Ebor here

16:10, York - Kaite Midwinter: Light can be King for the day

Four-year-old gelding King Of Light has been running consistently well in competitive handicaps of late and could give another good account of himself from an unchanged mark of 97 in this competitive 6f contest.

With Ryan Moore aboard for Stuart Williams, the son of Mehmas is one note despite being 6lb higher rated than his last winning mark. He won convincingly at Windsor in June, beating runner-up Coul Angel by three-and-a-half-lengths, and is capable of putting in a threatening performance from his current mark.

16:45, York - Timeform: Speedy 2yo fancied to win again

Speedy two-year-old Adonius has made an excellent start to his career for Rebecca Menzies, and he should take some catching in the Julia Graves Roses Stakes over this flat five furlongs.

He ran up an early-season hat-trick with two wins at Musselburgh and the Lily Agnes Stakes at Chester where he gave weight to Hickory Lad who meets him on worse terms here.

Given a break, Adonius met with his first defeat in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood last time, but he earned the 'Horse In Focus' flag for that good effort behind Pershaada and heads the Timeform ratings.

17:20, York - Alan Dudman: Count on Diego to score

Two at the top of the market for the 17:20 are two I like, as Raammee netted us a 53/154.00 winning double at York in June for the Saturday multiple column, but also there is a lot of admiration for Diego El Queso, a class handicapper who acts with cut, and that has swayed me.

Sorry my old chum Raammee, you won't be forgotten.

Diego El Queso came from a long way back to get up late at Leopardstown right on the line under a sensational ride from Colin Keane as a few times in the past he hasn't quite gone through with his effort.

He was ahead of Britannia third Jamestown when he was runner-up in a Premier Handicap at Leopardstown again subsequently, so he's good in these big field races.

Goodwood last time was a disaster. As good as Keane was winning at Leopardstown, he was in a hopeless position and had no chance, but as Hemmingway once said: "A man can be destroyed but not defeated".

Keane has come back at York brilliantly this week.

Another chance for you too Diego.

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