Racing: Harbour is Ebor favourite

Celeric was yesterday offered at 12-1 by leading bookmakers to continue his improvement and secure the pounds 100,000 Ebor Handicap at York on 21 August, but his trainer, David Morley, warned punters contemplating a bet on the four-year-old to hang fire.

Morley said: "I wouldn't want anyone to back the horse until much nearer the time." Other possibilities for Celeric are the Lonsdale Stakes at York, and a pattern race at Deauville.

Celeric landed a gamble in winning the Northumberland Plate and supplemented gains at York this month. But he has risen 11lb in the ratings since his Plate win and William Hill and Ladbrokes take the view that the gelding faces a stiff task after being allotted 9st 7lb in the weights published yesterday.

Both firms make Harbour Dues, an eyecatching Royal Ascot third and allocated 7st 8lb, the 7-1 favourite for the one mile six furlong handicap.