Turf Talk: Mistake to rule big-priced Fun Mac out of Ebor

Fun Mac possesses that all-important touch of quality that can help him win the Betfred Ebor at a massive price.
Fun MacFun Mac
Fun Mac

Hughie Morrison’s five-year-old has so far struggled this season, but it would be a mistake to scotch his claims in the main event of the four-day York fiesta.

It was always going to be impossible to land a blow in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on his seasonal debut, and he was predictably never a factor.

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More worrying, perhaps, was his subdued run in the Coral Marathon at Sandown, which was followed by a similarly poor show at Goodwood.

But those prepared to give him another try can be rewarded, as there is a strong chance the shrewd Morrison has had the Ebor on the agenda all year.

The gelded son of Shirocco, it must be remembered, impressed in the staying department in 2015, with an 11-length demolition job at Salisbury last May a sign of what was to come.

Fun Mac then got to within half a length of Clondaw Warrior in the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting and also gave Pallasator a decent run for his dough in the Doncaster Cup.

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Then there was his pleasing effort at Longchamp last autumn, when he finished third in the Prix du Cadran.

Stamina, then, is certainly not an issue when it comes to the Ebor, but he is not short of boot, either.

The forecast for rain is also likely to satisfy his connections as Fun Mac is just as good an operator on an easier surface as he is when it is rapid.

With the capable Charlie Bennett taking off a handy 5lb, the fact he is at an age which has supplied bountiful Ebor winners should also be factored into the equation.

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Meanwhile, it is never easy finding the winner of the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes but Mokarris just about fits the bill.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

BATH: 5.10 Withhold, 5.40 Rosie Royale, 6.05 Altaira, 6.35 Storm Melody, 7.05 Indrapura, 7.35 Willow Spring, 8.05 Pivotal Flame.

CHESTER: 2.05 Arc Royal, 2.40 Grizzel, 3.15 Muntahaa, 3.50 Intransigent, 4.25 Blithe Spirit, 5.00 Communicator, 5.35 Dark Defender.

CHELMSFORD: 5.45 Go On Gal, 6.15 Queen In Waiting, 6.50 Berengaria, 7.20 Sbraase, 7.50 Mubajal, 8.20 Johnny B Goode, 8.50 Birrafun.

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NEWTON ABBOT: 2.00 Oscar Fiain, 2.35 Gowanauthat, 3.10 Notarfbad, 3.45 Golden Doyen, 4.20 Relkwood, 4.55 Thunder Pass, 5.30 Generous Jack.

PERTH: 2.55 John Monash, 3.30 Vision De La Vie, 4.05 Nefyn Bay, 4.40 Mardale, 5.15 Handsome Dan, 5.50 Presented, 6.25 Just Milly.

SANDOWN: 1.55 Harbour Master, 2.30 Epsom Icon, 3.05 Repton, 3.40 Fire Fighting, 4.15 Gamesome, 4.50 Wind In My Sails, 5.25 Icebuster.

YORK: 1.45 Imshivalla, 2.15 Scottish, 2.50 Shraaoh (treble), 3.25 Mokarris (next best), 4.00 FUN MAC (NAP), 435 Afandem, 5.05 El Astronaute.

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