York Ebor Meeting

That time of year again! After Cheltenham and Royal Ascot, this is one of the best meetings of the year. Kaht Junior was born in this week but out of respect for her (fear) I will not say how many years ago. Sadly, Lady Kaht vetoed my wish to give her the middle name of 'Eboracum', but hey I'm over it now!

York do a tremendous job of building this meeting and every race on today's card is worth at least £100,000, with at least £51,000 to the winner. The Juddmonte International (3.35) is worth £1,000,000, with £567,000 going to the winner. Those fancying a look at the official racecards for each day can find them here: SKY BET EBOR FESTIVAL - DIGITAL RACECARDS | York Racecourse Looking back at the thread from last year, I see Mr Dawson had one or two notable successes, although my investments are rather more cautious. I did however manage to land bets last year in particular on Alpinista, Noble Style and Highfield Princess.

Having built the meeting up, my betting interest today is taken by only two races. The opener (1.50) is a typical York five furlong cavalry charge, and my usual approach is to try and find a couple against the field and hope for the best. The pace looks to be mainly on the far side (low draw) today, and my eye is taken by Equilateral. This horse has not run in a handicap since January 2021, when he won over Meydan's five furlongs. He followed up the following month at Group 2 level. All his races since then have been in Group or Listed company. Admittedly he hasn't won since those early 2021 successes, but this is his first time back in a handicap since then, and he carries five pounds less than for that win. At a general 10/1 it looks worth a bet that he retains the ability to win at this trip. I've also backed Intrinsic Bond, who tops Timeform's ratings. I was on at 10/1 but he has been backed in to 6's now.

In the Acomb Stakes (2.25) I strongly fancy Ballymount Boy (general 9/4) and I think he would be much shorter if he were trained by O'Brien, Gosden or Haggas. He ran Vandeek to a length at Goodwood, and that horse took the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville at the weekend, giving the strongest possible boost to Ballymount Boy's form. After Goodwood he was purchased by the wealthy Qatari Wathnan syndicate.

Later on, I think Gregory will win the Great Voltigeur (3.00) and Paddington the Juddmonte International (3.35), but neither are that far ahead of their rivals and both are too short in the betting compared to their chances for me. The last three races are competitive and should prove good to watch but seem impossible to unravel to me.

Tomorrow (Thursday) I like the look of Cherry Blossom in the Lowther Stakes (1.50) and she is still available at 5/2 with Hills as I write. The sales race (2.25) has been won in five of the last seven years by Richard Hannon, and his Persica is the pick of stable jockey Sean Levey as well as topping the Timeform ratings. He is available at 6/1.

On Friday I'd be keen on Courage Mon Ami in the Lonsdale Stakes (2.25) and I reckon he'd be shorter than the 7/2 available if it were not for his run in the Goodwood Cup when Tom Marquand 'stole' the race with a great front-running ride on Quickthorn. On more suitable (quicker) ground I'd expect Frankie to keep closer tabs on Quickthorn and 7/2 represents some value to my eyes. Later, in the Gimcrack (3.00) I'm really keen on King's Gamble for Ralph Beckett. After only one run he is less exposed than most of these. If you're registered (free) with Sporting Life's Race Replays site have a look at his win on the Newmarket July course, where he really stays on and accelerates at the end of the race. He reminds me of both Minzaal (2020) and Noble Style (2022) who were past winners of this race. It's speculative, but at 10/1 in a couple of places he's well worth a poke. I think Highfield Princess will come out on top in her rematch with Bradsell in the Nunthorpe (3.35) but she's another who's too short for me given the competition.

On Saturday I think Sweet William has by some way the best credentials to win the Ebor (3.35). I've taken 4/1, but I can understand those who says he's too short at that price.

Enjoy the action folks - it's top class!

 

I'll try not to disappoint today @orsenkaht. I've used my typical small stakes scattergun approach to the first day and gone all in. If it comes off great but if it doesn't I'll not lose any sleep.

Mixed 20p e/w Lucky 15's. £1 e/w bets and a 20p win Lucky 15 on the four horses I've backed under 4/1.

If I win owt I'll post it on here later. Very superstitious about telling people what I'm backing. So much so that when I go on a club trip to races you won't see me until after the last race lol.

I do like your reasoning for the opener and hope the race does go with form.

 

Jim Jungle
Grappa Nonino
Pinafore
Blue Prince

My four 4t'day all e/way, good luck everybody.

 

Went to this meeting several times during the 90s with my late Dad. Didn't have much spare cash back then bringing up a young family but my Dad used to slip me a few quid in return I drove his car there and back. Had to Google it but in 93 I had £2.50ew on Ezzoud who was a complete pig but not without ability it ran in the international ( juddmonte now ). It won at 33/1 I was so happy to go home with a good few quid in my pocket it won the Same race the next year but at much shorter odds. The only downside to the day out was if i dare is to bring up the thorny subject of the car park couldn't move for attendants to park you up but come home time no one in site a proper free for all. If you wanted to get home at a reasonable time you needed balls of steel ,hundreds of cars going for one exit. I think that alone was his reason for taking me not the best of drivers my Dad. Anyway great memories, just take a passing interest these day but do like the write ups at big meetings by our more informed forumee's. Good luck and hope you all a 1993 year.

 

I want to party like it's 1993.

 

Excuse my ignorance on this, but just seen on my William Hill account they have an ‘Epic’ boost on Ryan Moore to ride a winner today, it’s at evens so doesn’t seem very ‘Epic’. Those who have bit more knowledge than me, does that seem to have any value?

 

It’s enhanced but carries a max stake.
One of his rides alone is 8/13 so it represents good value to cover all his rides

 

Ryan rides the favourite Paddington in the 3.35. The best price for that horse is currently 4/6, so that alone makes the Evens offer very good value. But he rides in five of the six other races too, so doubly yes. I see the maximum is £10. No wonder!

 

Anyway, just had my tenner's worth, and would have had a lot more if available!

 

As usual when I look at the weather forecast and put my bets on early. The rain that wasn't forecast buckets down.

 

I’ll have a good read of your opinions a bit later.
So far, Intrinsic Bond is the only one I’ve gone for.
Only 4 in the Juddmonte seems such a shame and I don’t reckon Paddington will have it all his own way even so !

 

Backed Korker in the first.

No other fancies.

 

I was tempted to back both the Gosden pair. It's always refreshing when nobody else picks your selections. As for me. I'm gutted @Winker has picked four of my bets.

 

Mostahdaf and Intrinsic Bond are my only 2

 

Great facts Mr Kaht … get a job with the Racing Post ( assuming it’s still going ? )

 

Would have loved to have been a racing journo instead of a slave of the state. Still, work is 10 years in the rear view mirror for me now - I do less than Mr Dawson these days!

 

If it interests anyone, the head vet at all York race meetings is from Barnsley; little known fact for ya!

 

Two great minds think alike.

 

Good luck to all. After spending three years looking at today's form, ground, trip, jockey form, stable form, track form and prettiest names of horses these are my tips for day one. Not 100% confident about any of them though. The first race in particular is 'stick a pin in and hope' material methinks.
1 Ventura Express
2 Cogitate
3 Continuous
4 Paddington
5 Aztec Empire
6 Marine wave
7 Zoulou Chief

At the moment I've had the tiniest each way on Ventura Express simply because there are quite a lot of places available. Some of the others look too short in such competitive races to me, even with just a few runners. Tough day one, so anybody who gets two or three winners has done well here.

 

mondameej in 1.50