The Ebor But Not As We Know It

The Ebor is one of the biggest handicaps of the season, Saturday’s feature playing a huge part in our ITV racing tips. But what if the runners were football teams? We have taken a tongue in cheek look at the contest to find the ideal football team to match up with each of the horses, based on previous performances. Are you backing your team horse?

1 – Withhold – Man City

Picked up some huge prizes on home soil in recent years, his below-par effort coming when abroad.

2 – Wells Farhh Go – Cardiff

No-nonsense Yorkshireman in charge of things, tasted the big time, fighting to return.

3 – Red Verdon – Everton

Intermittent flashes of class but generally comes up short when pitched in deep.

4 – King’s Advice – Celtic

Does an awful lot of winning but there are question marks about a lot of the opposition he’s beaten this year despite them being Class 2 handicaps.

5 – Weekender – Liverpool

Runner-up last year, he’s always thereabouts on turf, is this his year?

6 – Raymond Tusk – Sheffield Utd

Enjoyed a successful 2018 but things are much tougher from a big weight against the big boys.

7 – Raheen House – Wolves

One of only two horses to beat Enable but not always at his best when taking on lesser opponents.

8 – Prince Of Arran – Brighton

A little Aussie talent in the form but nothing to really get the blood pumping.

9 – Max Dynamite – Man Utd

Very classy form a number of years ago but not to that level of late. Though fear not, he has Ronan at the Whelan, tell me how good does it feel(an)?

10 – Mekong – Arsenal

Clearly an engine under the bonnet but mercurial talent will only get you so far without any real graft.

11 – True Self – Norwich

Racked up the wins in 2018, kicked off with an early one this season but things get harder from here.

12 – Red Galileo – Chelsea

Inexperienced – though talented – hands on the reins, should give his running but others ultimately classier.

13 – Baghdad – Leeds

Been knocking on the door for some time now. Needs to fulfil his potential to finally get it open.

14 – Kelly’s Dino – Crystal Palace

Generally easy enough to leave alone but pops up with the occasional coupon buster as in the Old Newton Cup.

15 – Ben Vrackie – Watford

Looked decent at times last year. Toothless last time out but capable of better.

16 – Desert Skyline – Leicester

Sprung a huge priced shock to win for the first time but things since have been less convincing.

17 – Mustajeer – Fulham

Peaked last August with a smart run in this race. Needs to return to that level to have success this year.

18 – Barsanti – Spurs

Second or third in eight of his last twelve races. Close but no cigar once more.

19 – Dramatic Queen – Huddersfield

Down a level having thrown in a shocker when pitched in deeper. Have to take plenty on trust to support at present.

20 – Making Miracles – Aston Villa

Huge celebration in May winning the Chester Cup, current situation not so rosy.

21 – Cleonte – Newcastle

Three of top five RPR’s all at Ascot. Not so comfortable away from there and lacks a turn of foot to compete at this level.

22 – The Grand Visir – Bournemouth

Form goes up and down like a yo-yo, tough to predict what will come next.