Battersea and Shrewd the each-way Ebor picks

With those two runs under his belt Battersea should now be spot on to do himself justice and connections are now fitting him with a hood for the first time.

If the new headgear has the desired effect he looks nicely treated on the pick of his form off a mark of 107 now dropped back into handicap company.

Shrewd has plenty going for him

Shrewd has transformed since joining trainer Iain Jardine, winning three times over the jumps and twice on the level.

The six-year-old is clearly thriving was very impressive on his penultimate outing over course and distance when romping to a wide-margin success.

After being held-up towards the rear, Shrewd made stealthy headway a furlong from home to take up the running inside the last and forge clear to beat Rite To Reign by 3 1/4 lengths off a mark of 89.

Although now 11lb higher in the weights the son of Street Sense now drops back into handicap company having finished a highly creditable fifth to Pamona in a Listed contest over course and distance when last seen in action.

Course and distance form a big plus

That form reads well in the context of this contest and connections have themselves been ‘shrewd’ in securing the services of useful 7lb claimer Clifford Lee to do the steering.

Taking his claim into account Shrewd is running off a mark just 4lb higher than when last successful and that gives him a big shout at the weights.

Shrewd is also versatile as regards ground, has bagged a good draw in stall 10, and his course form is another big plus.

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Coral’s top tip: Battersea and Shrewd look to have the right profiles for the Ebor and represent decent each-way value in a fiendishly competitive renewal of the 1m 6f handicap.