York Ebor Festival Day 1 Tips
York’s Ebor meeting is back this week and day 1 features top-class action that includes the Juddmonte International Stakes.
We’ll see Delacroix take on Ombudsman once again and there’s also a fascinating Japanese challenger who could give them both something to think about.
We have selections and analysis for all seven races on day 1, including a couple of value picks.
13:50 – York - Heritage Handicap
CURIOUS ROVER arrives in the form of his life after getting his head back in front at Musselburgh last time out and a 3lb rise looks lenient for that success.
Katie Scott’s four-year-old won that race in better style than the half-length winning margin suggested and he’s taken to go in again for a yard that excels with their sprinters.
Selection: Curious Rover @ 22/1
14:25 – York - Acomb Stakes
DISTANT STORM’S maiden form could not be working out any better, with seven of the rivals he faced last month scoring in the interim.
The yard’s juveniles often improve markedly from their debut performances and we know he acts on decent ground, so has to be high on any shortlist.
Selection: Distant Storm @ 5/4
15:00 – York - Great Voltigeur Stakes
It’s hard to get away from the dual Derby winner, LAMBOURN, after his impressive success at the Curragh when last seen.
He’s been freshened up with a seven-week break and, while his main target will probably be the Leger for the back end of this season, he looks capable of taking advantage of a drop in class here.
Selection: Lambourn @ Evens
15:35 – York - Juddmonte International Stakes
It could be a big day for Aidan O’Brien and his colt in the International looks like the one they all have to beat.
DELACROIX got no luck in running in the Eclipse, but still managed to prevail over Ombudsman and if things had gone more smoothly that day, he would have surely won by further.
Selection: Delacroix @ 9/4
16:10 – York - Stayers Handicap
CHARGING THUNDER looks a bit overpriced in his bid to back up an all-weather success in the Racing League recently.
That looked competitive on paper and he should get a strong pace to aim at once again, so he should go well for a trainer that excels with his stayers.
Selection: Charging Thunder @ 28/1
16:45 – York - Heritage Handicap
Very testing ground went against NAD ALSHIBA GREEN at Goodwood last time out but she had previously looked like a progressive sprinter on a sound surface and she may have been underestimated after just one bad run.
Her peak performance as a juvenile came on good ground and it has been the same story this season. With Tom Marquand taking over in the saddle, expect a big effort.
Selection: Nad Alshiba Green @ 28/1
17:20 – York - Handicap
Not much has gone right for SHAMAN CHAMPION since his impressive debut success but this could be a good opportunity for him to get back on track.
He was drawn on the wrong side at Royal Ascot and it was a similar story in a novice at Newbury but he was only beaten a neck when staying on gamely in a Glorious Goodwood on handicap debut and he should remain a major threat from just 3lb higher.
Selection: Shaman Champion @ 6/1
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
