2023 Melrose Handicap Betting Odds at York racecourse

Saturday, 26 August 2023

There are any number of runners who can oblige with a victory when it comes to the 2023 Melrose Handicap, with Lordship certainly among them. William Haggas will feel confident that his charge can go well and he also has another market leader in the form of Alhambra Palace, meaning that the stable have a strong chance of recording victory.

However, there are twenty runners and several of them have lively chances. Denmark runs for Aidan O’Brien and the three-year-old will have to bear more weight than the majority of contenders, although Vaguely Royal and Middle Earth are also trading at backable each-way prices. It’s worth watching out for the movement of money ahead of the off.

2023 Melrose Handicap Tips

Lordship is the market leader and the horse will have plenty of supporters when it comes to the 2023 Melrose Handicap. The William Haggas-trained runner is carrying plenty of weight but it might not be enough of an impediment. After all, there have been successes at Chepstow, Yarmouth and Haydock Park, with the horse now bidding for a rare four-timer.

In the bet365 Handicap at the beginning of July, Lordship was able to oblige as the 100/30 favourite. It was a one-length win and came after beating four opponents at Yarmouth. Stablemate Alhambra Palace could give the favourite the most to think about, with the three-year-old carrying considerably less weight for this encounter.

The horse was able to succeed at Ascot when winning the Slingsby Gin Handicap over one mile and four furlongs, with a stunning five length victory illustrating the credentials of a runner who was last seen running and winning at Sandown Park. Over one mile and six furlongs on heavy ground, there was everything to like.

Denmark is definitely an interesting contender and we might forgive the horse’s under-par performance at the beginning of April when finishing second last in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes. The horse ran in the Haras de Bouquetot - Criterium Arqana last October and was touched off by a short neck but there is definite pedigree there.