Totesport Ebor Heritage Handicap Wagering

August 19, 2008 - Donald Jones The Totesport Ebor Heritage Handicap gives its name to York's August four day meeting. But forget about late summer sunshine - the rains have wiped out the first two days of the meeting and officials are hopeful that Wednesday's showpiece can be shifted to a new slot on either Thursday or Friday. 

The race was first run in 1843 and is Europe's richest handicap race with a total prize fund of £210,000. The one mile and six furlong contest is one of the most coveted prizes in the sport and this year will be run in the most testing of conditions.  So we need something that will contend with the going but what other clues to look for? Luca Cumani is often on the scene. He had last year's winner, the 7-2 favourite Purple Moon and claimed the prize in 2004 with Mephisto.

This year he runs market leader Mad Rush who heads the maximum field of 20 runners.  Plenty of favourites have been denied in this race. Indeed in in 2006 Mudawin triggered a 100/1 biggest shock for trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam and jockey John Egan.  One more factor to acknowledge is the draw. Since the millennium the stall number of the winning runner reads; 20, 20, 17, 3, 18, 14, 14. So high numbers it is then. 

In a race like this over heavy going just about anything can happen I'd rather take a big price about one that ticks several key boxes rather than chasing the money for popular favourite. The selection therefore is Winged Collar to win and place at around 18-1. The Tim Easterby-trained seven-year-old is drawn 19 and won a Listed race over this course and distance in heavy conditions in July last year. 

The son of In The Wings has experience in this very race. He finished fifth in 2007 when the contest was run on good ground. This race could be a lottery and with ground in his favour our selection is certainly capable of making the frame. 

Back Winged Collar to win and to place