TV TIPS (FRIDAY) - EBOR MEETING DAY 3

The penultimate day of York's Ebor Meeting is upon us and we pinpoint potential winners to make it a profitable Friday. We take a look at the first five races shown live on ITV. 13:50 YORK

Trainer William Haggas has enjoyed a solid opening two days of the meeting and his two contenders look strong betting options in Friday's opener.

Current market leader Zennor Storm has improved with each run and went close when finishing second at Goodwood last time out. He's clearly a gelding on the upgrade and should be there or thereabouts if reproducing his most recent effort.

Stablemate and handicap debutant Eklleem got off the mark when last seen and also looks to be on an upward trajectory. He's been handed what appears to be a very workable opening mark and that rating could prove overly generous come the finish.

Elsewhere, Wathnan-owned pair Exclusive Code and Le Samourai look major threats, while at much bigger odds the locally trained Daydreama appears generously priced.

The Haggas pair get the vote and both look capable of playing a major role.

ZENNOR STORM (E/W) EKLLEEM (E/W)

14:25 YORK

Illinois may not be the force of old but he wasn't disgraced when last seen at Royal Ascot in what was a much tougher assignment. Dropping in grade and facing what looks a weaker field, more can be expected from Ballydoyle's sole representative.

Caballo De Mar had been enjoying a stellar season before a major disappointment last time out, making it difficult to be overly confident about the current market leader.

On his day, Amiloc is certainly capable at this level, although there has to be some concern about him tackling this extended trip.

Mount Atlas is another who's performed well throughout the season, but further improvement will be required if he's to throw down a serious challenge in this company.

The two to fear most could be Al Nayyir and French Master, with both more than capable of upsetting the selection if producing their best.

However, the drop in grade could prove significant for Illinois and he gets the each-way vote.

ILLINOIS (E/W)

15:00 YORK

Arapaho Gold has gone from strength to strength across his opening three starts, culminating in a solid victory in Listed company. Locally trained and representing a yard that loves a winner at York, he holds every chance of adding to his growing list of successes. However, at the current odds it's difficult to be overly confident in a two-year-old contest where several powerful yards are represented.

Marco Polo couldn't quite get his head in front on debut, but there was enough encouragement in that performance to suggest he's more than capable of winning a race of this nature. Considering his powerful connections and obvious potential for improvement, he's the more appealing of the two market principals.

For punters searching for something at much bigger odds, Great Oak could fare better than his price suggests. It's difficult to know exactly what to make of a narrow victory in a two-runner contest, but his trainer's record with youngsters warrants respect. Add in the fact he's locally trained and his breeding suggests some cut in the ground could suit, and a small each-way play looks worthwhile.

Matteo is another worth noting given his trainer's excellent record in this particular contest.

MARCO POLO (WIN) GREAT OAK (E/W)

15:35 YORK

The rain may have arrived at the perfect time for favourite Rayevka, who's likely to appreciate some cut in the ground. She's one of the leading contenders and should be there or thereabouts in the closing stages, making it difficult to put punters off the four-year-old. However, in a race of this nature it could pay to hunt for greater value elsewhere.

Bacio was ultra-impressive when scoring at Royal Ascot and there's every chance the unique test York provides will suit the American raider.

Searching for an each-way alternative, Ralph Beckett's Starlust makes plenty of appeal. He'll certainly need to improve now back in Group 1 company, but his record on the Knavesmire reads an impressive two wins and two placed efforts from five starts. He also finished third in this race back in 2024 and could pick up some place money once again.

Three-year-old Mission Central disappointed last time out, but had previously rattled off a hat-trick of victories and is clearly capable of much better. It would be no surprise to see him bounce back here.

At the prices, however, Starlust looks worth chancing each-way at a course he clearly enjoys.

STARLUST (E/W)

16:10 YORK

Master Builder returned from a lengthy absence to land a gamble here in May and is entitled to come on for that outing. Despite a rise in the weights, the Tom Marquand-ridden five-year-old looks a horse firmly on the upgrade and is taken to make it back-to-back victories at York.

Fellow course winner Primo Lara also warrants close attention, particularly if attracting further market support.

Tycoon finished second here at York last time out under young jockey Toby Moore and this time his father Ryan takes over in the saddle. He may not be the most prolific winner, but he's more than capable of getting involved and looks interesting at an attractive price.

French Duke and Plage De Havre are another pair worth noting and should feature on any punter's shortlist in what looks a competitive finale.

Master Builder looks the strongest option, while Tycoon could reward each-way support at bigger odds.

MASTER BUILDER (E/W) TYCOON (E/W)

written by Rory Paddock