Haggas and Stoute Horses Amongst Famous Yankee Four

by Roy Brindley, 25 August 2023

York’s four-day Ebor meeting concludes on Saturday. Unlike the mid-week action, it is a handicap, not a Group-1 race, that headlines the afternoon’s card at the Knavesmire. With 22 runners, the Ebor is a fascinating puzzle. But, from a form perspective, it is more of a riddle, and our four Yankee selections come from races that appear easier to unravel.

Nostrum and Ryan Moore are expected to partner up for a fourth success at York on Saturday. ©GettyImages

For starters, we believe Nostrum should be able to get favourite backers off to the perfect start at York. Ryan Moore has partnered this Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt to three of his four victories. Returning to a good-to-firm surface, the three-year-old should land his second Group-3 contest at 1.40 pm.

Officially rated 114, this lightly raced colt is the best contender on figures, and, as a three-year-old, he receives weight from four of his five rivals. There are few negatives regarding Nostrum’s chances, and quoted on 6/5 by the best horse racing betting sites, he rates as the nap of the day.

Aldaary to Roll On for Haggas

At Goodwood, the in-form William Haggas can land the William Hill Celebration Mile with Aldaary. This five-year-old steps down in class following a second in an Ascot Group-2. His most recent effort in the Group-1 Sussex Stakes appears strong form following Inspiral’s subsequent Group-1 success at Deauville.

Aldaary finished ahead of Inspiral in the Sussex Stakes, but the suspicion is neither horse enjoyed the soft ground they encountered on that occasion. Ultimately, Haggas’ older horses are flying – he enjoyed Listed and Group-3 success at York on Thursday – and Aldaary looks set to keep the ball rolling with his sights now set lower.

Sharp Shelaka Can Kick on at Curragh

Dermot Weld is not usually a trainer associated with sharp two-year-olds. Neither are the horses bred by The Aga Khan’s studs. Its policy of breeding stoutly bred types means horses representing the partnership normally prosper as three, four and even five-year-olds.

So, it was no surprise when Shelaka started on 16/1 for her debut at Tipperary two weeks ago. However, it was a shock when she travelled strongly throughout the race and beat an odds-on Aidan O’Brien-trained runner cosily.

Shelaka, a filly with Group-1 winners in her dam line, now steps up in class and distance. But she will undoubtedly be better for her first experience of the racecourse. She may show respectable rivals with three and four previous starts, a clean set of hooves and land the 4.40 pm at the Curragh; it is a Group-3 prize.

Passenger Can Bag a Big Windsor Prize

Last weekend, Arrest did followers of this column a favour by scoring at Newbury. On Saturday, another horse that contested the Derby with genuine aspirations of claiming the famous contest can also bounce back to form.

🏇 The Foxes just holds on, denying a late challenge from White Birch to land the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes for Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding 👏@oismurphy @AndrewBalding2 @ABE_Dubai pic.twitter.com/znMuZNh97f

— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) May 18, 2023

Passenger has only raced three times, but an unlucky defeat in York’s Dante Stakes – traditionally the best Derby trial – saw him start the Epsom classic in warm order. He failed to fire there and has spent 12 weeks on the sidelines since. It suggests a problem was probably later identified.

Now, fresh and dropped back to ten furlongs, we believe Passenger can give Sir Michael Stoute a second big winner on the day. He goes in Windsor’s Winter Hill Stakes, due off at 6.50 pm. The best horse racing betting sites quote this handsome American-bred colt on a tasty 5/2.

What are Saturday’s Best Bets?

Recommended bet type: A Yankee