Ebor Festival SmartPlays: Friday August 23

Our first bet comes in the opener at 13:55 which, though unsurprisingly strong, features a handful of especially interesting sorts. Hat-trick seeking Winterlude is favourite, but in scoring twice this season he's already shown at least some of his hand, something which can't be said for Gospel Choir and White Nile. Preference at current prices is for the totally unexposed White Nile, whose debut season in 2012 was about education first and foremost. Nevertheless, he managed a maiden win on his second outing and was denied only by a head on his final start. Now the best part of a year older and only 2 lb higher in the weights, current odds around 13.012/1 for White Nile seem more than a fair chance to take.

The best laid schemes of mice and men/Go often awry. Robert Burns's bemoaning could well apply to those who've been waiting all week to back Shea Shea in the Nunthorpe (15:40) only to have enthusiasm dampened by overnight rain. If Shea Shea's two defeats so far in Britain have taught us anything, it's that he's all about speed: he looked to have given them the slip at Ascot only to be foiled by a combination of the stiff finish and Sole Power's explosive turn of foot, then travelled best of all in the July Cup before fading in the final furlong. York's five-furlong course will be ideal for him, and the question is whether more testing conditions (the ground is officially described as 'good to soft' at the time of writing) cast enough doubt to put us off. With his price currently 5.24/1 and likely to drift a little further if anything, the answer is no. 'Thou need not start away so hasty' is perhaps a lesser-known line from 'To A Mouse', but it's more pertinent on this occasion as we urge you to keep the faith in Shea Shea.

Our final SmartPlay is far less poetic, simply pragmatic. The closing handicap at 16:55 is a competitive one, but it's not as competitive as many of those that Machete Mark has been running in this summer. Ger Lyons's charge has been sixth in the Britannia, second in a mile race on King George day and was an encouraging third over seven furlongs at Leopardstown last time. A gradual rate of progress suggests his day will come, probably over this trip, and 7.26/1 is more than a fair price about it happening today.

Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at York

Back White Nile @ 13.012/1 in the 13:55
Back Shea Shea @ 5.24/1 in the 15:40
Back Machete Mark @ 7.26/1 in the 16:55

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