ITV Racing Tips - Best bets on Nunthorpe day at the Ebor Festival

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: 19 Aug 2021

Jon Vine 19 Aug 2021

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We've published our tips for every ITV race on Friday 20th August
The first four races on day three of the Ebor Festival will be shown live on the ITV main channel
We've also covered the Fillies' Handicap later on the card
State Of Bliss, Spanish Mission and Orazio feature amongst our tips

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William Buick riding Spanish Mission (pink) win The Matchbook Yorkshire Cup Stakes at York. (Getty)

The first four races on Friday's card at York will be shown live on the ITV main channel. We've got all four televised races covered, plus a bonus tip for the Fillies' Handicap staged at 4:40pm.

Let's jump into Friday's tips at the Ebor Festival.

Table Of Contents

Friday's ITV Racing Schedule
Race 1 - Sky Bet Handicap Tips
Race 2 - Lonsdale Cup Stakes
Race 3 - Gimcrack Stakes Tips
Race 4 - Nunthorpe Stakes Tips
Bonus Tip - Race 6 - Fillies' Handicap Tips

Friday's ITV Racing Schedule

Time	Track	Title
1:50pm	York	Sky Bet Handicap (Class 2) 1m4f
2:25pm	York	Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2) 2m½f
3:00pm	York	Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) 6f
3:35pm	York	Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1) 5f
4:40pm	York	Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies' Handicap (Class 2) 1m2½f

ITV Racing Tips - Friday 20th August

Race 1 - Sky Bet Handicap Tips

State Of Bliss E/W1:50pm York Sky Bet Handicap (Class 2) 1m4fGET 10/1 HERE

I'm drawn to the two three-year-olds at the bottom of the weights. Wink Of An Eye edged out STATE OF BLISS when they met at Goodwood, but after a sparkling performance at the Shergar Cup, I'm backing Mark Johnston's colt to reverse that form.

Joe Fanning attempted to make all at Goodwood, and Wink Of An Eye was only able to shake the long-time leader off in the final 100 yards. Nicola Currie employed different tactics at Ascot, sitting just behind the pace before striding clear down the straight to win by almost four lengths. Currie has retained her spot in the saddle after that impressive ride, and State Of Bliss can be a big player again off just a five-pound higher mark.

Race 2 - Lonsdale Cup Stakes

Spanish Mission2:25pm York Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2) 2m½f GET 11/4 HERE

Having finished ahead of Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup, I'm going to put my faith in SPANISH MISSION once again. Andrew Balding's improving five-year-old bolted up in a classy renewal of the Yorkshire Cup here earlier in the season, before heading onto Royal Ascot.

William Buick held Spanish Mission up out the back and was caught a little flat-footed as Subjectivist set sail for home. Spanish Mission saw out 20 furlongs well to finish third, two lengths and a place ahead of Stradivarius, and he can rubber-stamp that form around a course he clearly likes.

Race 3 - Gimcrack Stakes Tips

Orazio E/W3:00pm York Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) 6fGET 14/1 HERE

I'm really struggling to split the fancied horses at the head of the betting. Lusail and Berkshire Shadow look well-matched, and a chance can be given to Fearby as he steps up in trip.

An each-way bet on ORAZIO looks like the most tempting proposition. Following an emphatic victory at Windsor on debut, Charlie Hills' youngster was backed into favouritism for the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes. Despite getting bumped sharply leaving the stalls, Frankie Dettori's mount travelled powerfully at the rear, and looked to be coming with a telling challenge, only to run out of steam in the closing stages.

That was still a solid effort on just his second career start, and this well-bred son of Caravaggio is entitled to come on again for that outing. 14/1 looks a good price.

Race 4 - Nunthorpe Stakes Tips

Read our full guide to the 2021 Nunthorpe Stakes to find out who we're backing in Friday's main event.

If you plan on watching the racing via a mobile or tablet, then check out our Nunthorpe Stakes Live Streaming page.

Bonus Tip - Race 6 - Fillies' Handicap Tips

Sea La Rosa4:40pm York Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies' Handicap (Class 2) 1m2½f GET 4/1 HERE

I've been really impressed with what SEA LA ROSA has produced this season, and I'm keen to back William Haggas' filly in this handicap.

After commencing her season with an overdue novice win, Sea La Rosa finished a close second to a rival now rated 89 at Doncaster, before winning a three-horse handicap rather cosily at Redcar. Despite running up to RPRs of 91 and 92 on both her handicap starts, Tom Marquand's mount remains on an official mark of just 85, and the track at York should suit her perfectly.