Kieren Fallon booked to ride Brian Ellison’s Saptapadi in the Betfred Ebor at York
Kieren Fallon, who gained his sole victory in the prestigious Ebor aboard Tuning in 1998, which will this year be sponsored by Betfred for the first time, has been snapped up by Brian Ellison to partner Saptapadi in the 1¾m handicap at York on August 20.
The lightly-raced five-year-old, who will be officially 3lb well-in on the Knavesmire, has shaped as though stepping back up in trip will be very much in his favour following cracking efforts over 1¼m the last twice, both at York. Indeed, the son of Indian Ridge was not neaten far when fifth to Twice Over in a Group 2 last time, so it’s no surprise to see him figuring prominently in the betting for Europe’s most valuable handicap.
At the time of writing, the only horse ahead of Saptapadi in the market is Godolphin’s Lost In The Moment. The Danehill Dancer colt, currently a top-priced 7-1, has posted four cracking efforts back on turf since returning from Dubai this term, and failed by just a head to get to grips with stablemate Opinion Poll in the Group 2 Goodwood Cup on his latest start. He is undoubtedly well treated judged on that performance and is worthy of his status as favourite for the Ebor.
However, at around double Lost In The Moment’s odds I like the look of the Mark Johnston-trained FOX HUNT, who was inches behind Saeed bin Suroor’s charge in the Goodwood Cup. Admittedly, he will be meeting Lost In The Moment on 5lb worse terms later this month, so strictly speaking isn’t entitled to finish in front of that rival, but there are reasons to be optimistic that he will.
The four-year-old looked an improved performer when bagging the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, and looked a proper Ebor type when beaten just 1¼ lengths by Tactician, who was in receipt of 9lb, in a Listed handicap over C&D next time out. Whereas Lost In The Moment is held-up well off the pace in his races, Fox Hunt is usually ridden prominently, which is a plus-point in a race in which there are invariably traffic problems.
Lumping 9st 10lb to victory in the Ebor is not for the faint-hearted, but I have a feeling that there could be even more to come from Fox Hunt, and he is versatile with regard to underfoot conditions, which is also a positive given that come rain or shine, he looks sure to run a big race. 14-1 is readily available about the gelding, and my advice is to have a solid each-way investment.
Modun misfired in the Duke of Edinburgh, but has duly bounced back in both outings since, chasing home Green Destiny in the John Smith’s Cup here in July and failed by a neck to reel-in Arlequin in a 16-runner handicap at Goodwood since. Sir Michael Stoute’s charge is far from exposed and while he’s unproven over the Ebor trip, both he and Irish raider Mount Athos need to be taken seriously.