Good morning all,
As you probably are aware by now, I love York’s Ebor Festival. Away from Royal Ascot this is far and away the best of the summer flat racing festivals. Well, all the action starts today at 1:50. You can watch the first four races on ITV this afternoon. It’s just a shame the terrestrial broadcaster is only covering four not five races each day from the Knavesmire. Mind you if you subscribe to Racing TV you can watch all seven.
The feature race of day one is of course the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes (3.35). Recent winners of the race include Sea The Stars, Frankel and Roaring Lion. There’s £567,100 on offer to this year’s winner of what looks an interesting renewal.
The supporting card also includes the Group 2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (3.00). The Great Voltigeur could provide clues for next month’s St Leger and the last horse to complete the double was Logician in 2019.
Add in four big field handicaps and you have the makings of fantastic afternoon’s racing. Most of my main selections over the four days will be in the handicaps. If you want those you find them here.
Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the three non-handicaps on the card.
York Ebor Festival – Day 1
The going is being described as good at York but I wonder if it will ride on the easy side of good. It doesn’t look like any rain is being forecast for the Wednesday or Thursday. Although there could be some light rain on Friday and Saturday.
2:25 – Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group 3) – 7f
Just the five juveniles are set to go to post for this year’s race but on paper it looks competitive enough with just 8lb separating the five on RPR’s.
The Charlie Appleby trained Noble Truth looked a useful prospect when beating Ehraz by 2 lengths at Newmarket last month and looks sure to go well here. This is only the second runner the trainer has had in the race.
Ehraz was making his racecourse debut behind the Appleby colt and has since boasted that form by winning an Ascot maiden.
Dubawi Legend was well backed to make a winning racecourse debut at Doncaster last month. He duly obliged for favourite backers producing an excellent turn of foot to put five lengths between himself and his 11 rivals. He looks a smart prospect.
Royal Patronage is the most experienced of the five runners, having had three starts, but he’s improving with each start and made all to win at Epsom last time. Looks the likely pace angle. Trainer Mark Johnson saddled last year’s winner.
Imperial Fighter made a winning racecourse debut at the Qatar Goodwood Festival. He’s related to plenty of winners and open to more progress. Trainer Andrew Balding is having a tremendous season with his juveniles with 23 winners from 96 runners 24% + 57.72 and he’s 6 winners from 13 runners 46% +35.25 8 placed 62% with his juveniles in Group & Listed contests.
Verdict: Noble Truth. Ehraz and Dubawi Legend look useful prospects. However,there doesn’t seem likely to be much pace in the race so Royal Patronage could get a solo out in front. Andrew Balding’s juvenile record this season means Imperial Fighter can’t be discounted either.
3:00 – Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2) – 1m 4f
Eight stand their ground for a race that can be a launch pad for St Leger bid. However, the ante post favourite Kemari won’t be running in the final colt’s classic as he’s a gelding.
Kemari had no problem with the step into Group company last time when winning the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot. Stays 1m 6f but doesn’t lack pace for today’s drop back to 1m 4f.
Aidan O’Brien saddles three High Definition, Sir Lucan and The Mediterranean. The latter could be used as pacemaker with both High Definition, Sir Lucan likely to be suited by a truly run race.
High Definition remains the most interesting of the trio. Unbeaten on his two juvenile starts. He made a promising seasonal reappearance when a 2 length third to Hurricane Lane here in the Dante in May. However, he didn’t give his running well behind that one in the Irish Derby last time. He surely remains capable of better.
Sir Lucan comes into the race the most progressive of the three Ballydoyle runners having returned from an 11-week absence to finish a ½ length 2nd of 8 in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last time. York’s longer straight should suit the son of Camelot. The first time cheekpieces are applied today and a good run will enhance his St Leger claims.
Third Realm, trained by Roger Varian, bounced back from a below par run in the Epsom Derby when 1 3/4 lengths behind Sir Lucan in the Gordon Stakes but I don’t see why he should finish ahead of the O’Brien colt here.
Youth Spirit was a further ¼ length behind in 4th in the Goodwood race. He was, however, giving Sir Lucan & Third Realm 3lb that day so isn’t of this.
Verdict: High Definition needs to get his career back on track after a disappointing run in the Irish Derby. However, he does remain a colt with real potential. Stablemate Sir Lucan looks a St Leger contender and has less questions to answer after a good run at Goodwood last time.
3:35 – Juddmonte International Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) – 1m 2 ½ f
With St Mark’s Basilica being a non-runner due to a setback stablemate, last year’s Yorkshire Oaks heroine, Love has been diverted to the race. The quick ground should suit the filly and given the lack of pace Ryan Moore seems likely to get an uncontested lead.
Mishriff runner-up to Adayar in the King George at Ascot. He finished 1 ½ length in front of Love that day and the drop back to an extended 1m 2f is a positive for the 4-year-old as is the quick ground. He’s the best horse in the race on ratings.
Alcohol Free winner of the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood races beyond a mile for the first time. On pedigree there must be a big doubt about her stamina for today’s distance. However, it’s good to see that connections have decided to roll the dice and come for the race.
Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney has failed to stay 1m 4f in both the Derby & Irish version on his last two starts. This trip could be ideal for the colt and you can never rule out a Jim Bolger runner. The ground would be a concern as you would think he would want softer ground. Still, he’s a double Group 1 winner and looks to be a big price if there is any ease in the ground.
Mohaafeth wasn’t suited by the muddling gallop in a Group 2 over C&D last time. He wasn’t well placed when the race began in earnest two furlongs out. However, he showed a good change of gear to get his head briefly in front inside the final furlong before that big move took its toll in the final 100 yds.
Verdict: Love looks set to get a solo out in front so Ryan Moore should be able to dictate . Mishriff is the best horse on ratings and a worthy favourite, Of the 3-year-old’s Alcohol Free surely won’t stay. This could prove to be Mac Swiney’s optimum trip but the quick ground is be a bit of a concern. No ground concerns for Mohaafeth but the lack of pace could be.
York Selection:
3:35 – Mac Swiney – 18/1 @ Bet365
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John