The Mandarin’s Ebor Festival Racecard for Friday 21st August 2026

The Mandarin’s Ebor Festival Racecard for Friday 21st August

Sky Bet Mile Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1.50
Eklleem
William Haggas’s No Nay Never gelding really came of age at Ripon in June, and looks ready for a big run here. He showed a good attitude under Jason Hart in that Class 3 Novice, especially when it got all got a bit muscular as Jason forced his way through on the rail, where Karle Burke’s Ervani had left half a gap. William Buick takes up the reins now, with Tom Marquand on William Haggas’s other runner, Zennor Storm, who was topping the markets when I last checked on Thursday, so the Somerville Lodge yard do have a strong hand in this Heritage Handicap. Top weight Exclusive Code won well at Goodwood last time out, and does seem to be one going the right way, while I also expect a decent shift from Harry Eustace’s Outback Heat, who would be a good each-way angle. Eklleem to continue to progress under William Buick, with stablemate Zennor Storm thereabouts too.

Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2) 2.25
Caballo De Mar (nap)
George Scott’s star Stayer Caballo de Mar is very easy to back from my viewpoint, and could well be a few punters’ banker for Friday. That said, Caballo De Mar carries a penalty for his Group One wins, two of them, and it’s a strong field, though the progressive Irish stayer Carmers, second in the Great Voltigeur here last year has been declared a non-runner, but Andrew Balding’s equally improving Mount Atlas, who took the John Smith’s Silver Cup here last month must come into play. Ever present stayer Al Nayyir takes up his usual spot, and overall has a cracking record here, but for always finding one too good, but the biggest danger now may come from the unexposed Amiloc. Ralph Beckett’s progressive four year old unseated at Goodwood just three weeks ago, so should be race-fit, but Caballo De Mar looks a tough nut to crack. Caroline, your thinking?

Caballo De Mar (nap)
Well, I’m of the opinion that with the late withdrawal of Carmers, this race is there for George Scott’s Caballo De Mar, just as you do. But, I also do think that Ralph Beckett’s Amiloc is going to turn this into a real test for Caballo De Mar, capable of turning it into a test of stamina from the front, and if that’s the plan from Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan, we’ll be finding that out before the first 2 furlongs are done. So yes, a shame that Carmers is not lining up, and I do think Illinois might have found his ceiling at this level, so let us enjoy Amiloc trying to run the legs off Caballo De Mar, before Oisin Murphy finds a bit extra down the straight.

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) 3.00
Adaay Of Scarlett
An absolute model of consistency this year, Hugo Palmer’s Adaay Of Scarlett has to be high on anyone’s list for the Gimcrack. Plenty of positives in my notebook, notably second to the smart Great Barrier Reef in the Group 2 Coventry at Royal Ascot, and then just a length behind another Ballydoyle inmate, Man’s Best Friend in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood latest, plus Oisin Murphy stays in the saddle, and it’s a plum draw in Stall 3. In truth, the only negatives I could level at this Mehmas colt are that it’s been a busy season, this being his seventh start, there has been one too good in each of his last four races, and cheekpieces are now employed. But, from here, all the positives weigh the scales heavily in Adaay Of Scarlett’s favour, so he’s winning the Gimcrack!

Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1) 3.35
Mission Central (nb)
A brilliant Nunthorpe in store, where a truly International field meet on the Knavesmire where so many have genuine claims. Right, to the quick, I’m taking a chance on Aidan O’Brien with Mission Central, who, returned to what I think is his best trip, this 5 furlong dash should be just the ticket, and with Wesley Ward’s speedball, Bacio just a couple of Stalls inside of him in 5, Mission Central could get a nice pull into the race under Ryan Moore. Francis-Henri Graffard’s Rayevka is a class act, second in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, so despite the wide draw, must be a huge threat, with any rain over this week not likely to worry this Blue Point filly. Too many to mention that can figure in a truly fantastic feature, but American Affair, Pershaada & Rumstar all hold serious claims, while Clive Cox’s Redorange would be a speculative each-way pick after scoring here over course and distance last time out. Mission Central to benefit from Bacio bursting out the gate like a cat on a hot tin roof, while Ryan Moore bides his time, with classy Rayevka ensuring he’s kept up to his work. Caroline?

Mission Central (nb)
Oy yes boss, it has to be Mission Central for me too, and that’s without my Irish Angle influence, promise! Really, we’re all going to be waiting for Wesley Ward’s Bacio to fire out of the Stalls under Juan Hernandez, but I must be agreeing with yuzz, that might draw Mission Central into this race, and just a look back at the simply stunning ride that Ryan Moore gave Sun Goddess on Thursday, gives me every confidence that Mission Central could be Mission Control in that final furlong! But, Francis-Henri Graffard’s Rayevka cannot be underestimated after that King Charles III race the last day, so for me it’s between this pair.

Assured Data Protection Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 4.10
Explode
Very much a wide open Handicap here, but I do like the way that Faye Bramley goes about her business, and in Explode, somethings clicked. This Sottsass gelding won with plenty in hand at Newbury just 6 days ago, but it was a hands and heels finishing furlong under William Buick, so a quickfire hat-trick to add to the end of July win at Catterick is surely on the cards. A deeper race here, and even if there’s rain, Sottsass was our 2020 winning pick for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, so with Explodes action, I’ll not be concerned about the going for my each-way gamble.

British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes 4.45
Launch Sequence
I thought that Karle Burke’s Launch Sequence put in a big effort at Goodwood last time out, so maybe this step up to 7 furlongs will bring out even more. A smart looking Mehmas colt, Launch Sequence is as good a pick as any for this Maiden, with Aidan O’Brien’s ante post favourite, Oklahoma, needing to see this trip out after, fading at the furlong pole when tried over a mile at Killarney last month. John & Thady Gosdens’ Lancaster Tower could make it a big Friday bonus for the King and Queen, but Launch Sequence gets my vote.

Sky Bet EBF Fillies’ Handicap 5.20
Silver Lake
One for the girls here in the closer, the Fillies’ Handicap, where I’m in Saffie Osborne’s camp with Silver Lake. William Haggas’s Night Of Thunder filly is on a hat-trick after wins at Salisbury and Goodwood, but I would say she’s still ahead of the Handicapper, and with a bit of toe about her, could reap rewards down the Knavesmire’s long finishing straight. If there’s significant rain before Friday’s off, then George Boughey’s Lady Dora Mae could benefit, having encountered softer ground at Clairfontaine, and Ralph Beckett’s Food For Thought, lining up in the Royal Silks completes my shortlist. Silver Lake to go in under the brilliant Saffie Osborne, with Lady Dora Mae and Food For Thought keeping her honest.