Wednesday 21st August 2024
York Ebor Festival Day 1 Preview
Author: Jordan Yates (@jordan_yates)
1.50: Symphony Group Handicap: We kick things off on the opening day of the Ebor Meeting at York with the 1.50 which is Class 2 handicap action over five and a half furlongs. I’m with Shagraan here for Michael Appleby and Tom Marquand. He won well at Goodwood last time out earlier this month and still looks progressive. The yard’s form is a slight concern but I think he can go well again here off a five-pound higher mark, and looks a decent each-way play. Shagraan – 8/1 (Each-Way)
2.25: Tattersalls Acomb Stakes: We move up in grade at 2.25 with the Group 3 Acomb Stakes over seven furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of Ruling Court here for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. The Godolphin colt was an extremely expensive purchase and started to pay back his lofty fee when winning very impressively on his racecourse debut at Sandown last month. There should be a lot more to come and he’ll likely take a lot of beating here. Ruling Court – 11/10 (Win) (NB)
3.00: Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes: Next up it’s Group 2 action in the form of the Great Voltigeur Stakes over a mile and four furlongs. I’ve gone with King’s Gambit to get the better of the Ballydoyle battalions here for Harry Charlton and William Buick. He’s run with a lot of credit since stepped up in grade the last twice, most notably here last time out when finishing half of a length second in the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes. I think there’s still more to come from him and he can have a serious say in this. King’s Gambit – 9/4 (Win)
3.35: Juddmonte International Stakes: The feature race of the day comes up at 3.35 and this is the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes over a mile and two and a half furlongs. I find it hard to see past City Of Troy here for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He made hard work of it last time out when winning the Eclipse at a short price, however, I believe this track and race should suit him a lot more than Sandown. If that’s the case, and he turns up in the same form as his Derby success, a very bold showing is on the cards. City Of Troy – 5/4 (Win) (NAP)
4.10: Sky Bet Stayers Handicap: My final selection of the afternoon comes in the 4.10 which is a Class 2 heritage handicap over two miles and half of a furlong. I’m taking a chance on Knightswood here for Charlie Johnston and Joe Fanning. He’s a horse that remarkably manages to find trouble in running in most of his runs, which is unique for a Johnston horse. However, he was just making his bid at Goodwood last time when staying on before meeting trouble, and if he does find a bit more luck on this occasion I think he can go well off the same mark over this longer trip. Knightswood – 8/1 (Each-Way)
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