IT’S the final day of the Ebor meeting at York and the handicap of the same name at 3.45 looks as difficult as ever to dissect with a weight range of only 11lbs.

However, I fancy we will get a huge run from the David Evans-trained outsider John Reel.

The six-year-old made great strides last year and has been taking part in all the big staying handicaps finishing sixth in the Chester Cup and then running well in both the Old Newton Cup and Summer Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

He gets to race off the same mark of 100 for the fifth successive time but this time around instead of a senior jockey on board, he will have the services of 5lbs claimer Tom Marquand.

Good ground is perfect for this son of Country Reel but he wouldn’t be worried by any further rain and could well outrun his double figure odds under his good young jockey.

Nearly Caught ran disappointingly in last year’s race but that came off a moderate pace and looking at the make-up of the field there is likely to be a quicker gallop on here.

The likes of Ajman Bridge and Arabian Comet are also respected with the last named never getting a chance to shine last time out at Goodwood when stuck behind a wall of horses.

The remainder of the card looks pretty tough but I have a strong fancy for Gabrial in the opening Strensall Stakes at 2.00.

Richard Fahey’s Lincoln Handicap winner ran his career best race to date when third in the Group One Sussex Stakes last time out and although he was undoubtedly flattered by that performance, he merits serious consideration here down in class.

His biggest danger could be Mahsoob who simply failed to stay a mile and a half last time out at Newmarket but had been seriously progressive before then and has won around here in the past.

Later on, Raucous can provide the in-form William Haggas with another Knavesmire winner, while if the ground does dry out Munaaser, unlucky in running in the Goodwood Mile, can finally land a big one at 4.55 now he is stepped up in trip.

Elsewhere, Chester interests me with more rain imminent and Gabrial’s Kaka could be the bet of the day in the 3.30 if he can secure any kind of a run in the closing stages.

Give in the ground along with a fast pace is crucial for this five-year-old and if he can plot a way through the crowd I fancy he can take care of Apostle and Enlace.

Ballesteros will revel in the likely soft ground and having bounced back to form last time out he can make the most of his lowly mark of 82 at 1.50 with Confessional looking the main danger.

At Sandown have a second look at Homage in the 2.50. He was badly outpaced over a mile at Ayr last time and this looks a more suitable test for him.