Ebor Handicap: Motivado makes final cut

Sir Mark Prescott's Motivado is likely to be favourite for Saturday's Ebor

Ante-post favourite Motivado just about made the cut for the Ebor at York on Saturday, scraping in as number 19 in the 20 runner affair.

Ante-post favourite Motivado just about made the cut for the Ebor at York on Saturday, scraping in as number 19 in the 20 runner affair...

He only gained his place in the line-up thanks to a 4lb penalty for winning a handicap at Glorious Goodwood three weeks ago. The Luca Cumani-trained Qahriman, who was also prominent in the ante-post market, is only first reserve. A Boy Named Suzi is second reserve. Following the live draw, Motivado was handed stall 8, whilst Qahriman will break from stall 1 if making it into the race.

There were no worries for the John Gosden team involved with Duke of Edinburgh Handicap winner Camborne (stall 14) as the four-year-old is near the top of the weights. They are headed by the Jessica Harrington-trained Steps To Freedom (stall 13). The County Kildare handler is also responsible for Bob Le Beau (stall six).

There are three other Irish challengers in the shape of Dermot Weld's Sense of Purpose (stall 22), Tommy Carmody's Royal Diamond (stall two) and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Harrison's Cave (stall nine), who got the last place in the line-up.

Champion Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins has decided to run dual Royal Ascot victor Simenon in the Lonsdale Cup on the same card instead of the Ebor. English-born French-based trainer John Hammond is represented by Hammerfest (stall 21), who was runner-up to Camborne at Royal Ascot.

Among others in a fascinating renewal are Godolphin's Willing Foe (stall 16), course specialist Crackentorp (stall 17), 2011 Northumberland Plate winner Tominator (stall 10) and Number Theory (stall four), winner of the Old Newton Cup at Haydock. Dreamspeed, who finished fourth to Number Theory at Haydock, has been given stall 11.

Motivado tops Timeform's ratings for the prestigious handicap and is likely to be favourite for the race. You can bet on the contest here.

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