1.55 Symphony Group Handicap
We kick off the meeting with a tricky little sprint handicap and I was quite interested here in Edward Lewis, especially with the David O'Meara yard coming back into form. Edward Lewis has run some really good races this year, and with a bit more luck in running would no doubt have won one. He most caught my eye during the fast and furious Epsom Dash, where he got no luck in the run and finished hard on the bridle - impressive given how quick that 5 furlongs is. For me, that bodes very well for his chances here as York is also a tremendously quick track. He is drawn low, which looks encouraging given in last month’s SkyBet Dash Handicap – the last big-field sprint to be run at York , the winner Flying Pursuit was drawn one, the second was drawn two and the third was berthed in four. Edward Lewis pitches up in 5, has the services of stable jockey Danny Tudhope and at around 9/1 looks a very nice e/w bet in the opener.
2.25 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group 3)
Now, bear with me here because the favourite for this race, Dee Ex Bee, looks to have a fantastic chance given how impressive he was at Goodwood on debut. However, with these two year olds you never know how they will progress from run to run, will they come forwards or go backwards and will they handle the ground. So I'm going for a horse at a very big price in Chief Justice of Yorkshire trainer Richard O'Fahey. This horse was a big eye catcher on debut at Pontefract a few weeks ago. He had an awful start, fell out of the stalls, took the longest possible route round the bend and was absolutely green as grass. However, keep watching and you see he ran on really well to get second place in the end. He was incredibly naive and green but really quite fast and if he comes on for that debut & learns from it he could certainly outrun his price of 25/1. Get on him each way
3.00 Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)
A good looking race but not one I have a massive opinion on. The favourite Cracksman should win on what we have seen so far but I don't really like betting at odds on at York. You seem to get a few strange results and upsets, York form is quite important and we do not know if John Gosden's colt will handle it. At the price, I can leave him alone and just watch this one.
3.35 Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1)
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| Frankel. one of the most impressive winners of this race |
In the big race on day 1, the Juddmonte, I completely understand why Barney Roy is fav & Churchill 2nd fav as the sexy, classic generation and improving 3 year olds. However, I can't help thinking Ulysses should be favourite at the moment. He looks a classic Sir Michael Stoute horse, one that was good at three but so much better at four. He has by far the best form in the book over this 10 furlong trip, his cruising speed is just utterly ridiculous and he has already beaten both Barney Roy and Churchill giving them 9 lbs in the Coral Eclipse, so while they may improve with age Ulysses only has to give them 7 lbs now.
Watching his last race back over 12 furlongs when beaten by Enable, you cannot fail to be impressed with just how well he travelled over 12 furlongs. No shame to lose to her, but it is clear 10 furlongs is his trip, where he can utilise that cruising speed. Barney Roy may improve for the york track, but I can't help feel connections should have entered a pacemaker there, whist if Churchill was the one for Aiden O'Brien why have they entered Cliffs of Moher? I think the current price on Ulysses is wrong and at current prices he is the value in the race.
Shutter Speed is very interesting to me given the 3 year old and fillies allowance she gets; if this turns into a speed race with little pace that will suit her more, but with only 2 places on offer now for the e/w bet I think win only is the only way to play this race and Ulysses at 7/2 looks the win only value for me. If you can bet with a firm giving 3 places as an enhancement Shutter Speed must enter calculations.
4.15 Fine Equinity Handicap
A staying handicap here and the one I have been following all season is Magic Circle. He entered my notebook at Chester earlier in the year. Now, Magic Circle is a big gelding so wouldn’t be the most obvious candidate for the tight turns of Chester. This makes his 5th place in the Chester Cup a very decent run, especially considering his poor draw. He stayed on well but had a hopeless task from his position and I liked what I saw. I think the ground was a bit too firm at Ascot the last day, so back to a big, galloping track where he can really use his stride, on good, safe racing ground Magic Circle can run a big race.
4.50 Betway Nursery
Richard Fahey has won this race 3 times in the last 5 years so I quite want to be with one of his here, and even though he wouldn't look number 1 based on jockey bookings, Zap is the play here. I value York form at York, so the fact Fahey pitched him in over C&D here on debut, which he won, makes it seem like this may have been the plan from the start. Ran a very good 3rd place at Epsom in a decent race the following time, a good run, and whilst we have to forgive his latest start I am always willing to forgive 1 bad run from a horse. Adam McNamara is a good young jockey, great value for his 3lbs claim, and back at the scene of his debut success I think Zap can go close in the finale
Thanks for reading and best of luck
Selections
1.55 Edward Lewis
2.25 Chief Justice
3.00 No Bet
3.35 Uylsses
4.15 Magic Circle
4.50 Zap
