York's 2025 Ebor Handicap Racers, Their Probabilities, and the Final Call
The 2025 Ebor Handicap is set to take place at York on Saturday, scheduled for 3.35. This prestigious race has attracted a strong field, with several horses vying for the top spot.
Fleetfoot and Almosh'her are two horses in form, having both won their last two races over about 1m4f. Fleetfoot's wins have come on his latest outings, while Almosh'her won a 12-runner handicap here (1m4f, good to firm) in May.
Enemy and Siege Of Troy are two horses that are expected to perform well, given their staying abilities and recent form. Enemy, who stays 2m, seems to suit waiting tactics, while Siege Of Troy has shown career-best form on his last two outings, with a tongue-tie joining the other headgear.
Mr Percy is another horse to watch, having won a 1m6f maiden, a 1m6f handicap, and two hurdle races this season. His versatility could be a key factor in the Ebor Handicap.
One horse that could be a dark horse in the race is Majestic Warrior, who won his handicap debut at Thirsk (1m4f, good) in April. His victory was impressive, and he could be a contender if he can replicate that form.
London City may be worth keeping an eye on, as he may have needed his first race back this season in a good 2m handicap this June. His performance in that race was up with his best on the figures, and he could be a strong contender if he can build on that performance.
Ethical Diamond is another horse that could be a threat, having settled better and come from mid-division to lead final 1f and score with authority in a 18-runner handicap at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) nine weeks ago.
Hipop De Loire, trained by Willie Mullins, is the favourite for the race, and with good reason. He finished fifth in the 2023 Ebor off 10-1, but had traffic problems and could have finished higher. He made a satisfactory Flat reappearance and won a 2m6f Galway maiden hurdle last month.
However, there are several horses that could challenge Hipop De Loire for the top spot. Real Dream has little to quibble with in his other four outings for the new yard, but there's been no win since July 2023. Oneforthegutter won a major 1m6f handicap at the Newmarket July meeting (good to firm) six weeks ago, and Shadow Dance has a win at 1m4f (good) at this meeting last August.
Yashin and Stressfree are two horses that have struggled in the last two Ebors, but both have had wind surgery and tongue tied for new connections this season. Yashin is a seven-time race winner, while Stressfree won at Haydock in May and had a creditable fifth there on his penultimate outing. However, his first attempt at 1m6f did nothing to prove that he gets this trip.
Ascending and Subsequent are two horses that could be worth keeping an eye on, but they have not shown nearly enough on their recent outings. Ascending won a 2m4f handicap at Royal Ascot (good to firm) latest outing, while Subsequent has a tongue tie for the first time this season.
Kihavah and Roaring Legend are two horses that have shown promise, but have not lived up to expectations in recent races. Kihavah finished second in last year's Ebor off 9lb lower than today, but never performed better on Flat than when winning at Musselburgh this April and had a badly hampered fifth of ten at Newmarket in May. Roaring Legend finished fourth of 13 to Oneforthegutter at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) on his latest start, which was far and away his best turf form.
Queenstown and Mr Percy are two horses that have performed well this season, but have not shown much in recent races. Queenstown has a sole win and has twice finished second to star stayer Kyprios over 1m6f. He finished 17th in the 2023 Ebor and 11th in the Cesarewitch, both off only 3lb higher than today. Mr Percy has won a 1m6f handicap and two hurdle races this season, but his last outing was a disappointing 12th place finish in a 1m6f handicap.
Overall, the 2025 Ebor Handicap looks set to be a competitive race, with several horses vying for the top spot. Hipop De Loire is the favourite, but several other horses could challenge for the win, including Fleetfoot, Almosh'her, Mr Percy, London City, Ethical Diamond, and Majestic Warrior. It should be an exciting race to watch!
