Sky Sports expert targets undercard value at York Ebor Festival opener
The Man, Alfred Wallace, and Underwriter are the key picks for the opening day of Europe’s premier four-day Flat racing meeting.
Sky Sports Racing expert Kevin Blake has identified three key selections for the opening day of the York Ebor Festival, which takes place on Wednesday. While the day’s programme is headlined by the prestigious Juddmonte International Stakes, Blake’s focus remains on the undercard, targeting specific handicaps and stakes races where he perceives distinct value.
The Ebor Festival is widely regarded as one of the most significant four-day Flat racing meetings in Europe, featuring high-quality stakes races and competitive handicaps. Blake’s strategy for the opening day involves navigating these difficult fields by focusing on horses with recent form improvements or favourable handicapping conditions.
His first selection is The Man in the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap at 1:50. Trained by Richard Spencer, the horse has a proven record at the Knavesmire, having won at York in May 2025 and finishing second in this specific race last year. Despite a winter campaign in Dubai that did not yield the expected results, Blake notes that the connections have been targeting this meeting since the horse’s return. The Man has shown strong form in two recent runs and benefits from an appealing draw.
In the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes at 2:25, Blake backs Alfred Wallace, trained by Ed Walker. The son of Dubawi won the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot after his connections adopted a more patient tactical approach. This contrasts with his previous performance in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket, where he weakened late after forcing the pace. Blake suggests that the success of the new tactics indicates significant potential for improvement.
The final selection is Underwriter in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap at 4:45. Trained by Michael Keady, the three-year-old was purchased for 4,600gns in July and has been dropped in the handicap ratings from a high of 92. Blake highlights a recent sprint handicap at Ascot where the horse shuffled back to last inside the final furlong but finished strongly, suggesting he is well-handicapped and capable of a serious challenge.
