One of the more popular meetings of the summer is the Ebor Festival up at York and with the headline race of the four days being worth £1 million, it is one of the more lucrative times of the year too, as some of the best horses in racing battle it out on the Knavesmire for a hefty prize. It all gets underway on Wednesday where the Juddmonte International is the highlight of the card. We’ve got a bet in that and one in the supporting races.
1.55 York: SkyBet and Symphony Group Handicap
Preview
The opening race of the Ebor meeting is a competitive Class 2 handicap with 22 runners lining up for a race over 5 furlongs and 89 yards.
Dakota Gold won the Great St Wilfrid easily on Saturday and bids to follow up off a 5lb higher mark. He could prove hard to stop and looks a worthy favourite. Justanotherbottle’s mark continues to fall but his form hasn’t been brilliant although his 5th in the Stewards Cup was a step in the right direction.
Betting
However, I’m keeping faith with Gunmetal who I backed last time out in the Stewards Cup. I’m convinced there’s a big handicap in him this season. Here’s what I said before his last run….
“The first is Gunmetal from the shrewd David Barron who is deserving of a big handicap winner. Kynren, Clon Coulis and this horse itself have all been denied in big handicaps in unfortunate circumstances this term. He ran in this race last year, finishing midfield, and is now 5lb higher but there are good reasons for that. He bolted up in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon and, since then, has finished 4th in a big field handicap at York over a furlong shorter. However, the run that impressed me was his 6th in the Wokingham where he ‘won’ his race on the far side. I like any horse that effectively wins their own mini-race because of draw bias as the handicapper very rarely reacts. Off the same mark today, he’s sure to go close.”
He didn’t really sparkle at Goodwood but I’m prepared to give him one more chance especially as he hacked up in the Great St Wilfrid 12 months ago, giving today’s favourite Dakota Gold a beating of 3 lengths and now is 9lbs better off. The slightly easier ground today should suit and the booking of Joe Fanning is particularly eyecatching given he was on board for this horse’s last win. Add to that a falling mark (2lb lower than at Goodwood), I think he’s got a major chance here.
Tips
Back Gunmetal (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 15.00 with William Hill (1/4 1-4)
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3.35 York: Juddmonte International Stakes
Preview
9 runners for the big race of the day, the 10 furlongs Group 1 Juddmonte International.
The highest rated runner in the world, Crystal Ocean, is favourite and the one to beat. He ran Enable to a neck last time out and, previous to that, won his last 3. He looks hard to beat.
Circus Maximus and King Of Comedy were 1-2 in the St James Palace at Royal Ascot and reoppose here. They look hard to split although I’d slightly prefer the latter to turn the tables.
Japan looks to be the O’Brien first string but he’s down in trip after winning his last 2 over a mile and a half. He may just be tapped for toe.
Betting
The lack of pace may turn this into a tactical affair and I fancy Mark Johnston’s Elarqam to try and win this from the front. All he’s done is improve this term, winning a Listed race at Goodwood before finishing 3rd behind Addeybb at Royal Ascot, conceding 3lbs. Back off level weights, he gave that same rival a 3 length beating last time out. He is stepped up in grade today but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the mix in this better company.
Tips
PLACED – Back Elarqam (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 11.00 with Betway (1/5 1-3)
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