Wednesday 23rd August 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to my preview for the Ebor Festival that is set to take place on the Knavesmire at York from Wednesday to Saturday. I’ll be sharing my fancies throughout the week, so, as ever, if you’re having a punt make sure to do it in a responsible manner.
1.50: Sky Bet & Symphony Group Handicap: We kick things off with a massively competitive heritage handicap over five and a half furlongs and in this tough opener I’ve taken a chance on Alligator Alley who’s currently a 10/1 chance for David O’Meara and Danny Tudhope. He’s got very solid course form having won a listed race at this meeting previously and he’s tumbled down the weights to what looks like a very tempting mark. He shouldn’t have any issues with this trip either and if getting some luck in the run in this competitive affair I think that he can go well. Alligator Alley – 10/1 (Each-Way)
2.25: Acomb Stakes: It’s Group 3 action now in the form of the Acomb Stakes which is contested over a distance of seven furlongs. I’m siding with the Irish raider in here which is Edwardian who represents the team of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore and is currently trading at around the 4/1 mark. He arrives here having won his last outing which came in maiden company at Naas back in July where he won in nice style, going away from his rivals at the end. It’s likely that he’ll appreciate the step up in distance here and he could well be another very smart prospect for his top connections. Edwardian – 4/1 (Win)
3.00: Great Voltigeur Stakes: Next up it’s the Great Voltigeur Stakes which is a Group 2 affair that’s contested over a mile and two furlongs. This race has seen some fantastic horse claim it’s spoils over the years and we may well see another one this year, Gregory sets the standard at the top of the mark on the back of his Royal Ascot success, however, I’m taking him on and I’m doing that with Continuous who’s another raider for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He comes in the contest having finished a very solid second behind the smart King Of Steel at the Royal Meeting, and I think his form is on par, if not better than the market leaders. He looks like a typically progressive sort for connections and it would be disappointing should he not post a bold effort here. Continuous – 5/2 (Win)
3.35: Juddmonte International Stakes: The feature race of the day is the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes which is ridden over a mile and two and a half furlongs. It’s an illustrious affair which means it’s slightly disappointing that this year’s renewal has only attracted the four runners, it’s a classy four though and out of said four it’s hard for me to see past Paddington who again represents O’Brien and Moore. He’s taken everything before him so far this season, winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes, Coral-Eclipse, and most recently the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. It would take a mighty performance to lower his colours here and I’ll take him to complete a Group 1 five-timer. Paddington – 8/13 (Win)
4.10: Sky Bet Stayers Handicap: My fifth and final punt of the afternoon comes in the final ITV race which is the Sky Bet Stayers Handicap over two miles and half of a furlong. I’m taking my chance with another Irish contender in this with Grappa Nonino who’s a runner for Dermot Weld and set to be ridden by Saffie Osbourne. This yard have tasted success on the Knavesmire over the years and I think they could well have another live challenger on their hands here, this horse won well just ten days ago at the Curragh when staying on well over a mile and six furlongs and looks to be a potentially progressive stayer in the making. I think he could well defy his five-pound penalty here under the very talented Osbourne. Grappa Nonino – 7/1 (Each-Way)
