Racing

York Ebor Festival: Four Outsiders To Consider

West Acre (13.50pm Wednesday)

An ultra-competitive handicap to start proceedings, where plenty can be given a chance. However, WEST ACRE is probably worth a second look. His last four starts in Britain haven’t been great but his form in Meydan last and this year were decent (Group 3 and Group 2 winner in 2025).

Maybe the return to the minimum distance on a track that suits speedy types will play to his strengths. If George Scott’s charge can bounce back to his best then it would be no surprise to see him outrun his odds.

Mountain Road (16.10pm Wednesday)

Another difficult handicap to solve but the one right down at the bottom of the weights MOUNTAIN ROAD is of interest.

Jim Goldie’s charge is a three-time winner over this distance and has been in good form of late, backing up his easy penultimate Thirsk success with a running-on third at Ascot in the Shergar Cup Stayers event.

If you take Lauren Young’s 5lb claim into account, the seven-year-old is 4lb lower. Furthermore, he’s connections only runner on the card, so a bit run could well be on the cards.

Manatee Mehmas (16.45pm Wednesday)

I’m tempted by the claims of David O’Meara’s MANATEE MEHMAS in the penultimate race on day one. He ran a lovely race when fourth in a Listed event over C&D on his second career start and was last seen running really well at Goodwood.

He came from off the pace to be nearest the finish when fourth of 18. He had previously finished a good third over track and trip, where he looked unlucky, as a clear run would have seen him go pretty close. With more to come off this 2lb lower figure, there’s every chance he will be extremely competitive.

Spell Master (15.00 Thursday)

The Oli Rix-trained SPELL MASTER is who I am drawn to in this wide-open race. He outran his odds when sixth in the John Smith’s Cup here on his penultimate start and was unlucky not to finish closer than seventh at Goodwood last time out.

The handicapper has surprisingly left him on the same mark, so if he does encounter a clear run this time, then he’s sure to be thereabouts, as the drop in trip should be no issue. I think he’s a very interesting outsider.