UK Horse Racing Tips

EBRO River has been installed as joint-third favourite for the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket after impressing in his recent Group One win at the Curragh.

Trainer Hugh Palmer was delighted after the two-year-old claimed the Keeneland Stakes in Ireland, a race that was billed as an opportunity for Royal Ascot winner, Quick Suzy, to take on the boys.

But the Gavin Cromwell-trained filly bypassed the Curragh, instead opting for a tilt at the Prix Morny, with Ebro River taking full advantage to win the six-furlong race comfortably from Dr Zempf. It was the Al Shaqab-owned colt’s seventh race of the campaign, with Palmer keen to give him a rest before his next assignment.

The target now is the Middle Park Stakes, the six-furlong dash down the Rowley Mile which was formerly part of the Breeders Cup Challenge Series, and is seen by many as a potential warm-up for the 2000 Guineas. However, Palmer has reiterated his concerns that a mile may prove too far for Ebro River, despite horse betting apps offering odds of 20/1 for the first classic of next year.

Key to his win at the Curragh appears to have been a change in tactics, with the horse ridden from behind in his previous races, reports UK Horse Racing Tips. In the Keeneland, however, a decision was made to let him effectively travel at his own pace, with Palmer seeing it as crucial to the success.

“I think the key thing we have done today is ride him differently,” said Palmer, who didn’t make the trip to Ireland from Newmarket due to problems with travel schedules. “I’ve been telling James Doyle to hold him up, get him to settle, ride him to finish and I think – it’s taken me five times to work it out – but I think those were duff instructions really!

“I always thought he would (get further) but as he gets on, gets heavier and stronger, he looks a bit more like a sprinter. I just don’t know – he finished off best of all today.

“He’s come back (from Ireland) great; you wouldn’t know he’s had a run to be honest. I would have thought the Middle Park will be Ebro River’s next target. He’s had seven races by August 8, so he’s allowed a little bit of time.”

This season has seen a novice win in a 5f affair at Doncaster, before following that up with victory over the minimum again in a Listed race at Sandown. Connections then decided on the big step up to Group Two level, with a commendable fifth-placed finish in the six-furlong Coventry Stakes; two more good runs over six furlongs followed at Newmarket and Goodwood before a successful first attempt in a Group One race, so BBC Sport

It will be a tough assignment in the Middle Park for Ebro River (8/1), with fellow Al Shaqab Racing colt Armor (9/2) installed as favourite after his win in the Markel Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood. The Richard Hannon-trained son of No Nay Never will be tackling six furlongs for the first time, but his pedigree suggests he has the stamina to take on at least a mile.

Also likely to start in the Middle Park are Keeneland Stakes runner-up Dy Zempf (6/1), and Coventry Stakes winner Berkshire Shadow (10/1).

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