Ebor Festival Saturday Tips – Dan James Racing

Rosallion takes his chance in the Group 1 City of York Stakes as one of the highest-rated runners on the card. After a strong showing in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he finished a close second to elite milers, he drops back to seven furlongs here — a distance connections believe is ideal.

His record shows consistent top-class performances, with an ability to travel smoothly and quicken decisively. The City of York suits horses with speed and class, and Rosallion has both. Backed ante-post as favourite, he’s widely regarded as the standout pick in Saturday’s feature sprint-miler event. If the ground remains on the quicker side, his proven fast-ground form strengthens his case even more.

With Group 1 experience and a proven turn of foot, Rosallion has every opportunity to deliver a top-level win, rewarding the faith placed in him by connections and backers alike.

King’s Gambit goes into the Group 3 Strensall Stakes as a leading fancy and arrives in excellent form. This improving runner has shown a sharp turn of foot and tactical versatility that suits York’s flat, galloping track. His previous performances at pattern level suggest he can handle the step up in competition.

Market support throughout the ante-post period highlights the confidence behind him. Analysts note his ability to settle well in mid-division and strike late, an ideal profile for this 1 m 1 f contest. With experienced connections and a course configuration that plays to his strengths, King’s Gambit looks well placed to deliver. The Strensall often produces future Group 1 contenders, and this colt’s upward trajectory makes him a serious player. If he runs to his best, he has every chance of justifying favouritism and providing backers with a solid option in Saturday’s opener.

Ethical Diamond represents one of the most intriguing stories in Europe’s richest flat handicap this Saturday. Trained by Willie Mullins, famous for National Hunt success, Ethical Diamond has taken to the flat with remarkable ease. His Royal Ascot Duke of Edinburgh Stakes win marked him as a staying handicapper of real quality, travelling strongly before powering home over 1 m 4 f. The Ebor’s 1 m 6 f trip should suit even better, given his stamina reserves and Mullins’ proven knack of placing stayers in valuable handicaps. Ante-post markets have kept him prominent, reflecting broad tipster support.

A well-judged ride will be key, but his adaptability and proven big-field experience stand out among rivals. With Mullins targeting this race specifically, Ethical Diamond could well cap an outstanding summer with another high-profile victory, providing punters a leading contender with genuine winning claims.