Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: York Ebor Festival Day 1 Tips
WEDNESDAY RACING TIPS: YORK EBOR FESTIVAL DAY 1
York 1.50 – Heritage Handicap
I’m going with The Man (5/1 fav), who has gone well at the track previously. He was a winner and second in his two starts here last season.
He’s been a bit out of form since returning from Dubai but has slipped down the handicap because of it – being back down to a mark of 89 makes him pretty competitive at this grade.
The return to the track could be a real positive and key to his chances.
Drawn over in stall three – this sprint track has produced winners from all over really this season – but I think that The Man could well be ready to go again.
Megan’s Tip: The Man WIN
York 2.25 – Acomb Stakes
I’m going to stick with Haffner (6/4 fav).
I liked his chances last time when beaten in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood by Dr Rascal, who looks pretty smart.
Haffner himself showed a good attitude; a little bit short on room but still continued to battle and stayed on, which should suit him here.
I thought he had the outstanding form in the race so far and this is a nice opportunity for him to win at this grade.
Megan’s Tip: Haffner WIN
York 3.00 – Great Voltigeur Stakes
The Voltigeur is a very strong renewal and I like Maltese Cross (2/1 fav) here.
I was impressed with him in the Grand Prix de Paris when he did well to actually get out. Once he was out, he really accelerated and managed to get up on the line.
He could have won with plenty in hand that day because he was boxed up with nowhere to go for quite a considerable amount of time.
With a cleaner passage up the home straight at York, where there is plenty of room and a nice long straight, I think we could be seeing an impressive performance here.
He’s a horse with a lot of ability, he likes this nice ground and he stays well.
Megan’s Tip: Maltese Cross WIN
York 3.35 – Juddmonte International Stakes
The Juddmonte is a fantastic renewal again with the younger three-year-olds taking on the older horses.
I’ve been a fan of both Constitution River (13/8) and Ombudsman (EVS fav).
Ombudsman, as an older horse, is going to have to give weight away to his younger rivals.
He’s a pretty phenomenal horse who, in what was a strange-run race last year, really proved himself as a horse that likes having another to aim at. He’s got a lethal turn of foot and was very impressive once again at Ascot.
There was all this talk about him not running, market moves and lots of negativity.
And then trainer John Gosden came out and was like ‘well, he’s just done a fabulous piece of work’ alongside pictures and videos of him galloping and looking pretty smart, so I wouldn’t be worried about that.
He’s even money now, so obviously a very short price for a hot race like the Juddmonte, but I do think he will take the beating.
His main danger looks like Constitution River, who I got to see in the flesh for the first time at Chester earlier in the year.
He was a bull – not overly big but powerful and has obviously continued his progression and looked very good in the Eclipse last time.
Jockey Ryan Moore has not been too shy in his praise for this horse, so warrants a lot of respect.
And it is always fascinating because he has beaten older horses in the Eclipse but he’s got to step it up again against Ombudsman who, without a doubt, has a higher level of form again.
By no means is it just a two-horse race. This is a field with great depth, but I do think it’s Ombudsman that will take the beating here.
Megan’s Tip: Ombudsman WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
