Ebor Day 3 Highlights: Nunthorpe Stakes & Top Irish Contenders It's day three of the Ebor Festival at York on Friday with the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes the headline act over the flying five-furlongs on the Knavesmire. There are supporting acts via the Lonsdale Cup and the Gimcrack as well as some compelling handicaps and we are taking a look at the Irish-based contenders headed for York on day three. BOYLE Sports Betting Offer If you already have a BOYLE Sports account, check out more of the best betting sites and online casinos This Songisforyou & Zanndabad - Sky Bet Handicap (13:50) Two of Ireland's shrewdest training minds are set to put their hats in the ring for the opener with Emmet Mullins and Tony Martin represented. Mullins saddles This Songisforyou, an experienced seven-year-old that landed a €90k pot at the Curragh during Irish Champions Weekend last year off a rating of 94. He hasn't quite fired in three runs this season and remains 5lb clear of his last winning mark but Tom Marquand rides and they could go well. Meanwhile William Buick has been picked up for the ride on Zanndabad for Martin. He's a four-time winner on that Flat in France but has faced some challenges since joining this handler. He'll seemingly have to raise his game. Shackleton - Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes (14:25) Joseph O'Brien sends Shackleton to York after the Camelot colt was second behind Al Riffa in the Curragh Cup over 1m6f last time. He also ran well in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot in June over the same trip and could have more to offer this true staying trip — though he does face Ascot Gold Cup winner Trawlerman. Arizona Blaze, She's Quality & Lady Iman - Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (15:35) Adrian Murray has Arizona Blaze in the Group 1 Nunthorpe a year on from finishing second in the big Sales race at York over 6f. The Amo Racing inmate has three wins this season, including the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh last time after a silver medal in the Commonwealth Cup. Jack Davison has his filly She's Quality bidding to end a run of seconds in Group-race company this season that stands at four. The big story revolves around Lady Iman, last month's Molecomb winner at Glorious Goodwood for Ger Lyons. The young filly now takes on her elders in this Group 1, getting plenty of weight. She's 4-5 in her career and improving all the time and Joe Fanning rides with just 8st 2lb to be carried. Akecheta & Fiver Friday - Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies' Handicap (16:10) The mare Akecheta is representing Kevin Coleman in this fillies' handicap over a mile-and-a-quarter and she will have to defy top-weight to prevail off a mark of 90. Fiver Friday has been seen more over hurdles this year than on the Flat but Paul Traynor is allowing her to line up off a reduced mark of 81. She has plenty of stamina but may need a personal best to strike in this company. Bond & Frescobaldi - British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes (16:45) Paddy Twomey has a good string at York this week and his Too Darn Hot colt Bond will seek improvement in the valuable Convivial Maiden Stakes, with north of £51k on offer to the winner. He was well held on debut at Killarney on soft ground in July, finishing fifth. Meanwhile the Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore axis is represented by No Nay Never colt Frescobaldi on his third start. He came clear with Green Soul at Fairyhouse last time when finishing second and is a possible improver for powerful connections.
