Timeform Daily: Ebor Handicap, Saturday, York 15:40

The Ebor Handicap is due off at 15:40.

Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to the ultra-competitive Ebor Handicap at York...

Steps to Freedom is a useful hurdler who improved on Flat when easily landing 2m handicap at Dundalk by 4 lengths from Night Glimmer last month, but needs to bounce back from pair of lesser efforts since then.

Camborne won first 2 starts on polytrack, and proved effectiveness on turf when romping away with 1m handicaps at Doncaster and Royal Ascot in June. Further 9 lb rise, and needs to prove he stays this far.

Bob le Beau is a smart performer, winner of a Curragh handicap and listed event at Limerick in 2011. However yet to hit top gear this term, well held in listed/Group races, and hard to be positive about for now.

Sense of Purpose was progressive in 2011, winning 3 times, including a Group 3 at Leopardstown (1m). Respectable fourth in listed race at Roscommon last month, and folly to ignore here back in handicap and tongue tied.

Willing Foe missed most of 2011, but ended year with good placed efforts in a pair of valuable handicaps in the autumn and creditable third at Ascot (1m) on return suggests he still retains ability.

Crackentorp is a grand stable servant, winning for sixth time when posting career best in ladies event here in June. Excellent second in Northumberland Plate next time, but was found wanting off this mark since.

Alkimos was progressive for Luca Cumani in 2011 and good fourth behind Camborne in Duke of Edinburgh at Ascot in June, but headgear resorted to now after failing to apply himself fully in John Smith's Cup since.

Area Fifty One showed further progress this year to take a 1m Newmarket handicap in impressive fashion before running with credit when fifth in John Smith's Cup here. Another 3 lb rise makes life tougher.

Icon Dream found frame in Group races twice in 2010. Left David Simcock for €20,000 before running well when third in Northumberland Plate on return, though by no means certain to reproduce that here.

Hammerfest is a consistent French raider arriving on back of good third in Deauville listed race earlier this month. Only found Camborne too strong on previous visit to these shores and weighted to get closer here.

Dreamspeed finished third in 1m Group 3 in October 2010. Better for reappearance after 18 months off when fourth behind Number Theory in Old Newton Cup last month, but liable to find a few of these better treated.

Harlestone Times is largely consistent off this sort of mark since landing last of his 3 handicap sucesses in May 2011, as shown when fourth behind Motivado at Goodwood earlier this month. NON RUNNER.

Royal Diamond improved on each of first 3 runs earlier this year for new yard, winning a Leopardstown (1m) handicap in April and running with credit off this mark when third at Down Royal (13f) since.

Hurricane Higgins showed better attitude than recently and seemed stimulated all round by unique test when landing 21f Goodwood Stakes at start of month. Despite that he remains one to treat with caution.

Blue Bajan is a veteran who won Henry II Stakes for this yard last year. Return to handicap company last month sparked a revival, fourth to Mount Athos (winner since) over C&D, though others hold stronger claims.

Number Theory has a great record at Haydock Park, the Old Newton Cup victory last month his third win there this year. All came over 1m though, and he shaped like a non-stayer on his previous try at this trip.

Tominator improved to land 2011 Northumberland Plate and career-best fourth at Doncaster last September. Below best both starts this year, though most recent of those suggested he's building up to something.

Rock A Doodle Doo landed a competitive Ascot handicap in 2011 and returned to form when scoring at Kempton last month. Has failed to back that up twice since, though, and best to look elsewhere with blinkers now tried.

Motivado won handicaps at Ripon (on reappearance) and Haydock in 2011. Resumed progress when winning 14-runner event at Goodwood at this trip earlier this month and looks well treated here under a penalty.

Harrison's Cave progressed well last year, winning at Curragh and Navan. Better than ever when third to Camborne over 1m at Royal Ascot, but ran a stinker at the Curragh 6 days later, so best left alone.

Qahriman was progressive in 2011 and confirmed reappearance promise when winning 12-runner C&D event in June, with several subsequent winners behind. Should go really well again.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Motivado
2. Tominator
3. Qahriman

Timeform Verdict: Qahriman is a danger to all from his inside berth, but the vote goes to Motivado, well treated under a penalty for his Goodwood romp. At bigger odds, Tominator looks primed to run well, with this race highly likely to be run to suit his hold-up style.

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