Ryan Moore on dream ride in Ebor
The Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) is the most valauble staying handicap in Europe. A real bonus for winning along with the £300,000 first prize is a “golden ticket” into the Melbourne Cup later this year!
As you can imagine in such a valuable handicap the quality of horses has improved recently. Saying that, the 2023 version lacks the quality of the past two years where you needed a horse rated 100+ just to make the lineup!
Sir Michael Stoute has done well preparing Real Dream to peak for this race. He was a major eye catcher here over 1m4f at the Dante meeting when outpaced by Scampi but coming home strongly to claim third place. Scampi has franked the form winning at the Shergar Cup meeting recently. Real Dream has to win at Ascot in July to make the cut and duly romped in on his first run over 1m6f. The handicapper raised him 8lbs to a mark of 99 which looks fair.
This is one of few horses in the race that remains lightly raced and unexposed. He has course form, fast ground form and the best jockey Ryan Moore on his back. What is not to like about the chances of Real Dream who arrives here bang in form and fresh, having only his fourth run of the season. Sweet William looks thrown in on his run at Goodwood, however that win came on heavy ground and was only three weeks ago, so we take him on!
York 3:35
1 point each way Real Dream 8/1 Bet365 else 15/2 William Hill, 6 places.
Best of Luck, Nicky
