Hi all,
Today, I’m reviewing the first two days of York’s Ebor Festival. Tomorrow, I’ll cover the final two days.
York Ebor Meeting Wrap Up – Part 1
Last week, it felt like autumn had already arrived at York’s Ebor meeting. Despite the cooler, windy weather, York Racecourse excelled. It always provides a top-notch experience. The new free digital racecard was a welcome addition. It was easy to use and saved racegoers a fiver.
Wednesday’s opening day lived up to expectations. Los Angeles shone in the Great Voltigeur Stakes. The Lion In Winter impressed in the Acomb Stakes, confirming his status as a Derby favourite.
City Of Troy's Dominance
The highlight of Wednesday was City Of Troy’s victory in the Group 1 Juddmonte International. The winner, runner-up Calandagan, and third-placed Ghostwriter all broke the track record.
Ballydoyle’s tactics, with Ryan Moore expertly dictating the pace, were spot on. City Of Troy quickened off his own pace and always looked in control. Calandagan deserves credit for closing in on a quickening horse.
In City Of Troy and Calandagan we have two outstanding 3-year-old’s. The first three aside few else got involved in the race.
City Of Troy's record time needs context—it was achieved on quick ground with wind assistance. The race was also run 32 yards shorter than most International Stakes.
The Lion Rules
The Lion In Winter emerged as a standout juvenile, winning the Acomb Stakes in a juvenile course record time. His pedigree suggests he’ll excel over 1m 2f as a 3-year-old. Winning over 7f at York was impressive. With only two career starts, he’s poised to improve further.
Los Angeles's Future Plans
Despite a Group 1 penalty, Los Angeles won the Great Voltigeur Stakes. His grinding style suggests he’d be suited to the St Leger. But Aidan O’Brien will likely drop him back to 1m 2f in the Irish Champion Stakes. An Arc bid is possible, but he’ll need testing ground to win a Group 1 over 1m 2f.
Content Triumphs in Below-Par Yorkshire Oaks
Thursday’s action couldn’t match Wednesday’s excitement. The Yorkshire Oaks was below standard. They went too fast, and winner Content made things tough for Ryan Moore by pulling early. In many ways, Ryan’s ride on Content was better than his ride on City Of Troy.
The Irish Oaks form came through, with Content reversing places with You Got To Me. The latter travelled more economically than the winner and this was another good perfromance. A fast pace and quick ground suits Content, making the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf an ideal target.
Emily Upjohn ran better than last time but is now vulnerable to younger rivals. Queen Of The Pride disappointed, suggesting something was amiss.
They went even quicker in the Listed Galtres Stakes than in the Yorkshire Oaks. The race produced a faster time, which hasn’t happened since 2015. The stamina-laden Scenic took full advantage, winning comfortably against a moderate field.
York Ebor Festival Eyecatchers
Here are a couple of eyecatchers from the first two days of the York Ebor Festival:
Vintage Clarets – Richard Fahey
Vintage Clarets normally makes it into my tracker, and this week he did. Despite being hampered at the start and always playing catch-up, he managed to finish second in the group that raced near the far side. He found his winning form last autumn and is now 2lb below his last winning mark. He can win a good 5f handicap, especially when there’s more give in the ground.
Mr King – Iain Jardine
A winner of a Naas handicap for Ger Lyons in June, Mr King was making his first start for his new trainer when he finished 7th, 2½ lengths behind Thunder Run, in the valuable Clipper Handicap on Thursday. He performed best of the hold-up horses and was doing some good work at the finish. He looks like a shrewd purchase and can secure a win this autumn. Although unproven on ground worse than good to soft, he could be one to watch at Ayr’s Western Meeting.
There will be two more York Ebor Festival eyecatchers in Tuesday’s column.
In Conclusion
Wednesday was a great day of racing. Thursday was more average. Ryan Moore seemed to be the only jockey using his head at York on Wednesday and Thursday. It was obvious that the better ground was on the far side, where horses were putting in the best finishes. Why Kieran Shoemark decided to cruise down the middle in the Yorkshire Oaks rather than go far side perplexed me and probably shows the difference between him and Ryan Moore.
Punting Perspective
The first two days were frustrating from a punting perspective. There were near misses on both Wednesday and Thursday. Fine margins made the difference between profit and loss.
Monday Racing
It’s a Bank Holiday and back in the day racecourses could expect to see bumper crowds. Those days are long gone and if the weather is poor, we could see sparse crowds at our tracks. Apart from a couple of races at Ripon the action is moderate. We also have Betfred Amateurs' Derby Handicap at Epsom. The race is open to gentleman amateurs’ only which shows the sport can still dip into the 19th century occasionally.
Ripon
Source: Racing Post.
Monday’s most valuable race is Ripon’s Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Ripon Champion Two Year- Old Trophy Stakes (3:12) which has £22,408 on offer to the winner.
The class dropping Shadow Army was put in his place by Babouche in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last time. The cheekpieces he wore at the Curragh are replaced by an even more severe form of headgear in the visor. Shadow Army has the best form and can win but he’s not one to go overboard about.
The Crisford yard have won this race three times since 2018 so recent C&D winner Take Heart must be considered.
Spirit Of Leros benefitted from the fitting of the cheekpieces when winning a Newbury nursery last time but was well beaten in Listed company on his previous start.
That leaves Shadow Army’s stablemate Mearall. Mearall looked a nice prospect when making all to win a C&D novice 15 days ago. Noticeably green the last day there should be more to come from the son of Cotai Glory.
Can Lightning Strike Twice for Dogged?
The hat trick seeking Debora's Dream looks a worthy favourite in the Class 2 Ripon Rowels Handicap (3:47).
David O’Meara has won the race four times since 2014, and one of his two runners Padishakh looks interesting. Padishakh has only had three starts since joining the trainer and looks to be working towards something. There was a bit more encouragement to be gleaned from his latest run at Thirsk and the 4-year-old is now 8lb lower than when he came over from France. He’s down to a handy mark and will surely be placed to winning advantage before too long.
Saeed Bin Suroor has a good record with his runners at Ripon so you must respect the claims of Major Partnership. The top-weight hasn’t been the easiest to keep sound, but he was a good ½-length 4th of 15 to Vafortino in Listed race (7f) at Meydan when last seen in action in December. He returns from a 248 day layoff here but did beat Port Lynas off 100 day absence last summer so can run well fresh. Drawn out wide in stall 10 isn’t ideal but he’s a got a touch of class and is one to take seriously.
Finally Dogged won the amateur riders handicap (5:30) 12 months ago and can race off 7lb lower this time around. Admittedly he was in much better form coming into last year’s race but maybe lightning can strike twice.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John