Motivado as short as 7-2 for Ebor

Thursday 23 August 2012

Connections of the ante-post favourite breathed a sigh of relief after Motivado just made the cut for the Betfred Ebor at York on Saturday.

Sir Mark Prescott's charge got in the valuable staying handicap as number 19 of a maximum 20-strong field.

He only gained his place in the line-up thanks to a 4lb penalty for winning a handicap at Glorious Goodwood three weeks ago.

Following the live draw, which took place in York's parade ring live on Racing UK, Motivado was handed stall eight.

He was immediately cut by the sponsors to 4-1, the best-price available, while Paddy Power went as short as 7-2.

The Luca Cumani-trained Qahriman, who is also high in the betting, is only first reserve. He was drawn in stall one.

A Boy Named Suzi (stall five) is second reserve.

There were no worries for the John Gosden team involved with Duke of Edinburgh Handicap winner Camborne (stall 14) as the four-year-old is near the top of the weights.

They are headed by the Jessica Harrington-trained Steps To Freedom (stall 13). The County Kildare handler is also responsible for Bob Le Beau (stall six).

There are three other Irish challengers in the shape of Dermot Weld's Sense of Purpose (stall 22), Tommy Carmody's Royal Diamond (stall two) and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Harrison's Cave (stall nine), who got the last place in the line-up.

Champion Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins has decided to run dual Royal Ascot victor Simenon in the Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup on the same card instead of the Ebor.

English-born French-based trainer John Hammond has a major player in Hammerfest (stall 21), who was runner-up to Camborne at Royal Ascot.

Among others in a fascinating renewal are Godolphin's Willing Foe (stall 16), course specialist Crackentorp (stall 17) who was well backed into 16-1, 2011 Northumberland Plate winner Tominator (stall 10) and Number Theory (stall four), winner of the Old Newton Cup at Haydock.

(Watch our Ebor Handicap memories package, with every race back to 1983 by clicking here)