York June Meeting – Day Two – CopyBet

Willie Mullins has a good strike-rate with his runners at York and one that has already enjoyed success on the Knavesmire is Absurde.

2023’s Ebor winner wasn’t seen to best effect at Chester last time out when beaten roughly two lengths, but a 2lb swing in the weights should help him reverse form with Al Qareem who finished just in front of him that day.

His previous Flat outing came when finishing a close-up unlucky fifth in the Melbourne Cup in November and if he can return to that level of form, he ought to be capable of dominating his four rivals down at Listed level.

Another factor that makes him an attractive proposition on Saturday is his versatility with regards to conditions given that there’s an unsettled forecast throughout Saturday afternoon and, if the race turns into a slog, expect Absurde’s National Hunt stamina to come to the fore against his main rivals who would seemingly prefer quicker conditions.

While Absurde has been installed favourite for this contest, he’s a worthy one and it would be no surprise if he went off odds-on prior to Saturday’s “Race To The Ebor”.

Ralph Beckett is another trainer that is no stranger to success on the Knavesmire and he will be saddling Palmar Bay for the opener, who looks a bit overpriced at the time of writing.

This son of Exceed And Excel arrives on the back of a career best success in landing a 15-runner handicap at Chelmsford last time out and he was good value for the winning margin (three parts of a length) that day.

A 3lb rise looks lenient from the assessor for that all-weather win and given that his best turf form has come when there is cut in the ground, he should be better suited to the rain that’s expected than most in this contest.

The finale on the card may be the most competitive of the seven on Saturday, but one who may have been forgotten about in the market is Roberto Caro.

A high draw in stall 15 is often an advantage on York’s straight track, particularly when the ground is on the slower side and there’s some potential for an uncontested lead for this out-and-out front runner.

Expect him to come on for his return outing and he can go well for the useful apprentice Oisin McSweeney, who has been successful on this gelding previously.