BIG STAKES, AND BIGGER REWARDS!

Andy Newton looks ahead to the highlight of the York Festival – the most valuable handicap flat race in Europe

- Andy Newton

WOW, we are heading into August already, with that we are now in the final few months of the flat W turf season and it won't be long before the better-known jump horses are back strutting their stuff.

However, before all that this month is always highlighted by the four-day York Ebor Festival (Wednesday 23 Saturday 26).

Over the four days, there are bundles of standout races - including the Nunthorpe Stakes, the Juddmonte International, Great Voltigeur Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks.

Plus, of course, the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap, run a bit later this year on Saturday August 26, and has always been a great race for trends fans to dissect.

First run back in 1843, the Ebor Handicap is run over a trip of 1m6f and still stands as the most valuable handicap flat race in Europe. Therefore, with this generous prize on offer the race attracts an ultra-competitive line-up and with that many stats have built up over the years to help when trying to find the winner.

Let's Look Ebor Handicap trends to note.

Age - A seven-year-old won of the Ebor Handicap in 2015, but that was the oldest winner since Sea Pigeon in 1979 (who was nine), so it's probably best to avoid the older brigade in the race. However, with 20 of the last 21 winners aged 6 or younger this is the main age range to focus on while, despite the last two winners aged four, in recent runnings it’s been the five and six-year-olds that have held sway – winning 11 of the last 15 between them.

Draw – Being run over 1m6f then, first impressions might indicate the draw isn’t of any importance with the horses having plenty of time to get into the race. However, the trends tell a different story.