Kevin Stott’s William Hill blog: Plenty more to come from Oviedo

York’s Ebor Festival is one of the highlights of the season and I’m really looking forward to it.

It’s one of the best tracks in the country and in my eyes one of the top courses worldwide. It’s a privilege to ride there on a regular basis and I have enjoyed some amazing days on the Knavesmire over the years.

It’s a very fair track, as it’s wide and flat, which means that nine times out of 10 the best horse on the day wins.

At the Ebor meeting, the atmosphere is on another level, with capacity crowds and a great buzz. To get a winner this week would be special.

York, Wednesday

On Wednesday all eyes will of course be on Baaeed and it’s no surprise that he steps up in trip in the Juddmonte International (3.35pm).

He’s shown again and again that he’s far superior in the mile division, so it seems very logical to step up to 1m2f.

I’m really looking forward to seeing how he goes over the extra distance, and I have no doubt in my mind about him staying because he looks uncomplicated and just takes everything in his stride.

In all honesty, I think he could be even better at this trip which is hard to believe given what he has achieved over a mile.

I’ve got three rides on the day, starting with Gis A Sub in the opening five-furlong handicap (1.50pm). He was second in the Gimcrack at this meeting 12 months ago, but hasn’t really kicked on from that as we hoped he would. He’s only run once before over five furlongs and it’s probably on the short side for him, but he’s been gelded and wears cheekpieces for the first time which will hopefully help.

Oviedo is a horse I have always liked and I was very impressed by him at Doncaster on debut. He did everything nicely, but still showed signs of greenness, so I’m pretty hopeful there is plenty of improvement to come. Although the Acomb (2.25pm) is a big step up in class, most of the others are in the same boat and he deserves his shot. I’m really looking forward to riding him.

My final ride is Anadora in the fillies’ handicap (4.45pm). She started the season well but her form the last twice hasn’t been as good. I’m a bit fearful that five furlongs will not see her at her best as she seems better over six, but she’s in good form and we’ll give it a good go.

Thursday

Just the one ride for me on Thursday but it’s nice one in the shape of Washington Heights in the Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes (2.25pm). He’s a very nice horse with a great attitude and has shown plenty of ability in his three appearances so far.

He was unlucky not to win at Pontefract last time under a penalty and we’ve had this race in mind for him since. A flat track over six furlongs should be right up his street and I’m really looking forward to getting on him.

It’s a big field and always requires plenty of luck to win it, but he’s a nice horse and is well worth his spot. The only real negative I can see is that we’re drawn more towards the stands side while most of the fancied runners seem to be over the other side.