Racing heads to God’s Own County as York hosts the prestigious Ebor Festival. Day One is full of mouth-watering contests, including the Juddmonte International which sees City Of Troy face his biggest challenge yet on the Knavesmire. Can he step up to the challenge? Find out with selections for all seven races below.
Big Race View
This is by far the best renewal of the Juddmonte International for a long time. 13 runners head to post, led by the Ballydoyle superstar City Of Troy. What challenges await him, and is he up to the challenge?
First he has to overcome his issue of hanging to the right. At Epsom, he was led away by a loose but there was no excuse at Sandown. It’s a half-mile straight at York, and his big galloping style will definitely suit and he should iron out that issue. And despite not running on firm ground, he’s by two horses that relish fast conditions. He’s value whilst he’s odds-against.
Looking down the market, Ambiente Friendly should also run a good race. Bred for this distance by a miler and out of an unbeaten mile-and-quarter mare, he should relish the drop in trip after two tough Derby tests.
Value is undoubtedly with the French horse, but not Calandgan. For me, Zarakem ran a stormer of a race in the Prince of Wales’s at Ascot, and was close to running down Auguste Rodin. It’s his preferred distance and seems to go on any ground. I don’t think he’ll win, but he’ll be mighty close.
Big Race Bet: Juddmonte International Stakes (GROUP ONE) – City Of Troy WIN @ 11/8 (General), Ambiente Friendly e/w @ 15/2 (William Hill), Zarakem e/w @ 12/1 (William Hill)
Juvenile Jotter
This race has been deemed an open and shut case by the bookmakers. There’s a 15.5 point gap between second favourite The Lion In Winter and third favourite Wimbledon Hawkeye. Only one favourite has won in the past 10 years and Charlie Appleby has never won the race. Aidan O’Brien has not won the race since 2000, so it makes sense to look elsewhere.
Yaroogh is my choice, as all horses from the last ten years have come out of either maidens or novices races. He’s one of the more experienced after last in a hot Newmarket maiden in April, then readily won at Haydock with the form backed up from that race. He’s yet to prove himself on firm ground, but he’s progressive and should be stepping up to middle distances at three.
Juvenile Jotter Bet: Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group Three) – Yaroogh @ 22/1 (Boylesports)
Handy Handicap Guide
This meeting is peppered with handicaps, with Northern trainers all aiming there horses throughout the season for these valuable races. No less so than in our first race the Symphony Handicap. This sprint race has been won seven times out of the last 10 years by Northern trainers, and one horse has been aimed specifically for this race.
Jm Jungle, who finished a tight third in last year’s contest hasn’t had a great season. But he is racing off a mark of 88, four pounds lower than last year. He’s also in a significant place in the draw. He’s in the low numbers, where there is an identified pace setter. Knowing he’s been targeted at this race, on a lower mark than last year and in a nice draw make the choice a bit easier in a highly competitive race.
Handy Handicap Bet: Symphony Group Handicap (Hertiage H’cap) – Jm Jungle e/w @ 10/1 (General)
Selections:
13:50 – Symphony Group Handicap (Hertiage H’cap) – Jm Jungle e/w @ 10/1 (General), Tees Spirit e/w @ 25/1 (General), Squealer e/w @ 33/1 (William Hill)
14:25 – Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group Three) – Yaroogh @ 22/1 (Boylesports), Diablo Rojo e/w @ 25/1 (General), Rajeko e/w @ 25/1 (General)
15:00 – Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group Two) – Los Angeles @ 13/8 (William Hill)
15:35 – Juddmonte International Stakes (GROUP ONE) – City Of Troy WIN @ 11/8 (General), Ambiente Friendly e/w @ 15/2 (William Hill), Zarakem e/w @ 12/1 (William Hill)
16:10 – Stayers Handicap (Heritage H’cap) – Knightswood @ 15/2 (William Hill), Forza Orta e/w @ 9/1 (General)
16:45 – ITM Fillies’ Handicap (Heritage H’cap) – Got To Love A Grey @ 11/2 (Betfred, Boylesports), Designer e/w @ 10/1 (William Hill)
17:20 – Nursery Handicap – Artagnan @ 6/1 (William Hill), Cayman Tai e/w @ 17/2 (William Hill)
Best of Luck!
