Kevin Blake has three selections for the opening day of the Ebor Festival at York on Wednesday, with the Juddmonte International Stakes heading the card. His undercard picks are The Man in the 1:50, Alfred Wallace in the 2:25 and Underwriter in the 4:45.
Kevin Blake’s Ebor Festival Opening Day Picks
Blake, writing for Sky Sports Racing, rates the Ebor Festival among the toughest and most rewarding four-day cards on the Flat calendar. His three fancies for Wednesday come from two competitive sprint handicaps and the meeting’s first juvenile feature, the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes.
1:50 Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap: The Man
The Man, trained by Richard Spencer, gets the nod on the strength of a proven affinity for York, having won there in May 2025 and finished a head second off a mark of 92 in this same race last year. A winter campaign in Dubai underwhelmed, but two runs since returning have shaped well enough for Blake to back connections having quietly targeted this exact race. He also likes the draw The Man has been handed.
2:25 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes: Alfred Wallace
Alfred Wallace, an Ed Walker-trained son of Dubawi out of the useful racemare Snow Lantern, ticks the pedigree box for Blake. A Thirsk win in May was followed by a fade late on in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket, but a switch to patient tactics over seven furlongs at Ascot’s Pat Eddery Stakes finally unlocked him, producing a win despite traffic trouble. Blake expects more improvement now that the horse’s ideal racing style has been found.
4:45 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap: Underwriter
The value pick of the three. Underwriter, trained by Michael Keady, cost just 4,600gns at a Tattersalls online sale in early July. His first run for the new yard was unremarkable, but a strong finishing effort at Ascot, after being shuffled back to last with a furlong to run, caught Blake’s eye. A significant drop from a high mark of 92 leaves him, in Blake’s view, well handicapped if he can back that run up.
Kevin Blake’s Three Selections At A Glance
- 1:50 Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap: The Man
- 2:25 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes: Alfred Wallace
- 4:45 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap: Underwriter
