Good morning all,
Just one more sleep before the start of the Ebor Festival.
The headline races of the first three days are the three Group 1 races – the Juddmonte International, the Yorkshire Oaks and the Nunthorpe Stakes – and on Saturday we have Europe’s richest Flat handicap Sky Bet Ebor Handicap. Add in races like Gimcrack & Lowther Stakes and a host of big field competitive handicaps and you have the makings of four days of fantastic racing.
Unlike 12 months ago when there were no paying spectators in attendance. The racecourse is expecting over 80,000 people through the gates over the four days. And your's truly is going to be there on Friday for Nunthorpe Day.
Looking at the weather forecast it looks like there could be some light rain at York today but it increasingly looks like a mainly dry week although there could be some more light rain on Saturday. The going at York at the time of writing is being described as good. It shouldn’t get any worse and we should see the racing take place on a sound surface.
The final declarations are now out for Wednesday's card and I’m already through four of the seven races. The big news on Monday was the non-declaration of Juddmonte International ante post favourite St Mark’s Basilica due to a setback. His defection means stablemate and last year’s Yorkshire Oaks heroine Love has been diverted to the race. It’s sad that we won’t be able to see the exciting St Mark’s Basilica on the Knavesmire. However, in some ways the colt’s absence makes the race a more competitive heat.
As its Tuesday its “eyecatcher day”. I have three horses for the tracker which you can find inside today’s main piece. Plus, I have had a look at a couple of Tuesday’s races.
Three For The Tracker
This week’s horses for the tracker come from Leopardstown on Thursday. Newbury on Friday and Ripon on Saturday. Let’s begin at Leopardstown.
Windsor Pass – Jessica Harrington
The 3-year-old had put in a personal best when ½ length 2nd of 13 to I Siyou Baby over C&D on her previous start. Not unsurprisingly, given she was getting 6lb from the winner, she was well fancied to reverse placings with that filly on Thursday. Sadly, for her backers she got no sort of run on the rail a furlong out. With a clear run she would probably have won, instead she had settle for 4th 1 ¼ lengths behind the improving I Siyou Baby. She’s remains a nine-race maiden but is knocking on the door and will surely land a handicap on a sound surface.
Clitheroe – David Simcock
The daughter of Ribchester, a £590,000 breeze up purchase, made a highly encouraging racecourse debut when a head 2nd of 13 in the opening novice on Friday’s Newbury card. Sent off just 6/1 there was plenty of market support for the filly. She was only beaten by a more experienced rival in Dubai Jewel. The experience shouldn’t be lost on her and she can win races.
Manigordo – Tim Easterby
Manigordo finished a 3 ½ length 5th of 20 behind Justanotherbottle in Saturday's Great St Wilfrid handicap. Normally ridden prominently. The tactics where changed on the 4-year-old, as he was held up on Saturday and there was plenty to like about how he finished his race off. Doing best of the group who raced on the far side. The 4-year-old hasn’t been the most consistent of horses this year but if he can build on this run, he can be competitive in the big sprint handicaps at next month’s Ayr Western Meeting. He does seem to need good or quicker ground to be seen at his best though.
Tuesday Racing
Nothing from yesterday’s selection but I did highlight two of Osin Murphy’s winners at Windsor. There’s a couple of races at Leicester that interest me and one that I fancy at Hamilton.
Leicester
5:25 – This looks a competitive Class 4nursery handicap and it’s attracted a good-sized field of 12 juveniles. I’m torn between top-weight Adaay In Asia and Ye Good Thing.
Adaay In Asia has won two of her last three starts on the all-weather at Lingfield. In between those two wins she ran well on her turf debut when a 2 ¾ length 7th of 22 in the Super Sprint at Newbury. The handicapper has put the filly up 7lb for her latest win but she’s capable of improvement on her handicap debut.
Ye Gud Thing is another progress with racing. A winner at Yarmouth in June. She’s since gone onto finish third back at Yarmouth and then put in a career best when a neck 2nd of 10 at Newbury on his nursery debut 26-days ago. Up 5lb for her latest effort but she likely remains on a competitive mark.
6:55 – Zuhai is likely to be a short-priced favourite. He comes into the race seeking the hat trick after wins at Nottingham and Ffos Las 14-days ago. A mark of 82 looks workable for the 3-year’s old's handicap debut and looks the one to beat.
I fancied Destroyer for a race at Pontefract two weeks ago. However, he was a non-runner on account of the softening ground. A winner over C&D last June from 1lb higher. He returned from a 9-month absence to finish 6th of 9 at Newmarket last month. The 8-year-old was likely in the need of the run that day and did win second time up last season. He needs quick ground and if he gets it has got a solid each way chance. Yard had a winner at Newmarket on Saturday.
Hamilton
2:15 – It may pay to go with Song Of Iona in this 5f handicap. That's provided the ground is no worse than good. The mare shaped well when a 1 ¼ length 4th of 17 at Musselburgh 23-days ago. Doing her best work at the finish that day she probably needs all the cards to fall right to win but they could well do so if the anticipated strong pace materialises.
Tuesday Selection:
Song Of Iona was a tempting selection but doubts over the ground mean I'm heading to Leicester for today's tip.
Leicester
6:55 – Destroyer – 22/1 @ Bet365 (EW)
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John
John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk