The York Ebor Festival is almost upon us, with an exciting four days of action to come.
On day one we see the highest-rated horse in training, the unbeaten Baaeed, put his record on the line stepping up to 1m2f for the first time.
The feature race on the card, the Juddmonte International, promises to be an exceptional contest.
There are also a number of interesting handicaps, as well as many young horses meeting each other in races difficult to predict.
Here is a preview of four races from the card, as well as selections.
(All prices are correct and are best price available at the time of writing)
1:50pm – Class 2 Handicap
Course specialist Dakota Gold loves a trip to the Knavesmire. He has recorded six victories at the track during his career, a record of wins he shares with Copper Knight and Stradivarius.
He runs off the same mark as when he finished middle of the pack here in May and can’t be ruled out at a track he has been successful at in the past.
The aforementioned Copper Knight is a likable type, but can be inconsistent and others are preferred. However, similarly to Dakota Gold, he is difficult to rule out due to his ability to perform well at York, and it would be no surprise to see him putting in a good performance at the track.
Mondammej’s last run here was disappointing but he finished second prior to that in a Listed contest, indicating that he did handle the track, and he is 1lbs lower here.
He has been running in tough, competitive races and often puts in a gallant effort to outrun his odds.
If the ground stays on the firmer side of good, he certainly has each-way claims.
Karl Burke’s four-year-old Significantly won two big field handicaps at Ascot last year, on contrasting ground. He has been quite unreliable since, but does wear a first-time tongue strap making his second run following a wind operation, and has possibilities if performing to his best. Rated 100, he is still young and could show further improvement for a trainer who has enjoyed eight successes at the track this season, recording a win rate of 27%.
In his first two runs, Project Dante looked an exciting prospect for connections, with a sprinting pedigree. He won over 5f on debut before finishing third in an excellent Norfolk Stakes, a quarter-of-a-length behind winner Perfect Power, and a nose behind runner-up Go Bears Go.
He is yet to show much ability since, running in a Group Two and two Listed Races, finishing down the field in all three.
This is his second run since having wind surger, and whilst it’s difficult to keep faith in the gelding, he is still only a three-year-old who could be capable of improving as he gains experience.
Swedish-raider Good Eye is an interesting contender having only run once on British soil when putting in an impressive performance at big odds when last seen.
If able to handle conditions at York he has to be in with a chance on his Goodwood run, with in-form jockey James Doyle currently performing at a 38% strike rate in the past two weeks.
Bond Chairman finished fourth in the Windsor Castle Stakes in his debut season, and finished fourth in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes at Royal Ascot this season.
He is in good form and is only a three-year-old, capable of showing further progression, but he didn’t perform well in his only appearance at York last season.
Excuses could be made for the end of season run on soft ground, and he has been gelded since.
Nomadic Empire is 4lbs lower than when winning here last September over 6f.
He’s capable on his day, but has been inconsistent this season.
His current mark of 95 may make things slightly easier for four-year-old gelding.
Count D’Orsay runs off the same mark as when he recorded his last win, back in September 2020. A frustrating horse to follow at times, the gelding doesn’t always impress but he is a talented individual when things fall into place.
He handles most conditions and if able to get a good run he has a chance of making the frame.
Look Out Louis has been performing consistently well in the last couple of seasons, but hasn’t run in big fields recently and was disappointing at the track in May.
He shouldn’t be ruled out with 5lbs claimer Ryan Sexton aboard.
Ancient Times has each-way claims off a mark of 91. He is consistent and open to further progression.
Shortlist:
Zarzyni – David & Nicola Barron, Ben Curtis
Mondammej – Antony Brittain, Cam Hardie
Significantly – K R Burke, Clifford Lee
Bond Chairman – Bryan Smart, Graham Lee
Ancient Times – Harry Eustace, Hayley Turner
Each-way selection:
Significantly 28/1 (EW) – K R Burke, Clifford Lee
3:00pm – Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)
At the head of the market is Secret State, who was impressive when last seen winning a handicap at Goodwood over 1m4f. He has recorded four wins from five in his career to date, and appears the one to beat for an in-form Charlie Appleby yard who are performing at a 48% strike rate.
Stablemate Walk Of Stars was gelded following a disappointing run in the Derby where he failed to handle the undulating nature of the Epsom track and showed greenness.
He fared better last time out, when beaten a neck by Deauville Legend at Newmarket, and stayed on well.
Deauville Legend was narrowly defeated by Secret State in the King George V Stakes, receiving 4lbs. He has won since, over 1m5f, but was well beaten by New London over this trip last month.
Irish-raider Aikhal hasn’t been as convincing as the favourite in his career to date, but was victorious in a Group Three contest at the Curragh last time out.
He made light work of the opposition and is capable of further improvement representing a top yard.
El Bodegon finished second in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly in June, five-lengths behind runaway winner Vadeni, but finishing ahead of two talented colts in Modern Games and Al Hakeem.
If able to replicate a similar performance, he could have a say in this contest and appears slightly overpriced at double figure odds. He did run at York when first seen this season, finishing a disappointing seventh of eighth, but could fare better this time out.
Outsider of the field is Grand Alliance who was unable to build on his King Edward VII Stakes performance at Goodwood last time out.
He is a risky selection at this point, having put in a couple of poor performances and not seeing the race out at Ascot.
Perhaps a drop back in trip would see him run to a better standard but he tries 1m4f once again here.
NAP of the day:
Secret State 9/4 – Charlie Appleby, William Buick
3:35pm – Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1)
A mouthwatering clash is on the cards in the feature race of the meeting, the highly-anticipated International Stakes, won by a list of top-class equine athletes in the past.
Unbeaten superstar Baaeed is the odds-on favourite to emulate his sire, Sea The Stars, by winning the prestigious race in his first attempt at 1m2f.
He represents in-form trainer William Haggas, who also saddles Dubai Honour.
Baaeed has done very little wrong to date in his career.
He has nine wins from nine races, all over a mile, and is yet to really be tested. The well-bred colt oozes class and appears unflappable.
There are plenty of comparisons made between him and the highest-rated horse of all-time, the fantastic Frankel.
This is a flattering comparison and Baaeed is following in Frankel’s footsteps by taking on the challenge on the Knavesmire.
It is a risk, stepping an unbeaten miler up in trip in such a competitive race, and beating last year’s winner Mishriff will not be easy.
This appears to be the toughest task the favourite has faced to date, and he will surely be acknowledged as one of the greatest of all-time with a comfortable victory.
Jockey Jim Crowley doesn’t have to ask much of Baaeed on the track.
The colt goes through the motions and quickens effectively when he needs to, never doing more than he has to.
He isn’t exuberant, nor does he put a tremendous gap between himself and his field.
But he gets the job done, and he does it comfortably in a professional manner.
The aforementioned Mishriff has enjoyed success across the globe, and is an extremely likable and talented horse.
He has proven he handles the track at York and 1m2f does appear to be his optimum trip, despite being successful over different distances. In the Coral-Eclipse last month, he was narrowly beaten by Vadeni, giving the three-year-old plenty of weight.
He was unlucky as he dwelt the start and struggled for room in the straight.
The five-year-old put in a gallant effort to chase the eventual winner, rallying and running on well.
Native Trail finished third at Sandown in his first attempt at 1m2f. This is a tough test for the young colt who receives 7lbs from all of his older rivals.
He has been strong this season, whilst lacking style at times, and this may stretch his stamina slightly.
Although he is capable of being a useful performer over the mile-and-a-quarter trip, he doesn’t appear to excel at the distance and may struggle against some more experienced, classy types.
Dubai Honour, High Definition and Sir Busker, whilst all being talented performers on their day, all appear to be in the running for a share of the prize money, and are unlikely to trouble the top two in the market, Baaeed and Mishriff.
Sir Busker could outrun his odds of 66/1 and may not finish last of the field as his odds suggest, as he has improved with a step up to 1m2f, but with only six runners the each-way market isn’t very enticing.
Star of the day:
Baaeed 4/9 – William Haggas, Jim Crowley
4:45pm – Class 2 Fillies’ Handicap
Current market leader Pink Crystal is bidding for a hat-tricks of wins and her fourth success of the season. She has been progressing well and is likely to be competitive.
Corazon appears better treated now 7lbs lower than when first seen this season whilst stablemate Hellomydarlin runs off an enticing mark of 88 with 7lbs claimer Connor Planas aboard. The latter has been disappointing in many runs this season, but did finish third in a Listed affair at Ayr and is capable of performing well on her day.
Ey Up It’s Maggie has previously performed well at the track and could be in contention if there is some ease in the ground, but she does have a bit to do to reverse form with a few of her rivals here.
Four-year-old International Angel beat Good Earth to reign victorious at the track last month, putting her firmly in contention here now upped in class.
One of the outsiders of the field Sound Of Iona has been enjoying a fruitful spell this summer, performing consistently well to earn herself a rating of 76, 13lbs higher than when she lined up at Musselburgh in June.
She is another up in class, but if able to continue her good run of form she could make the frame at a decent price, with claimer Amie Waugh taking a useful 5lbs off her back.
Value bet:
Hellomydarlin 25/1 (EW – 5 places) – George Boughey, Connor Planas (7)
By Katie Midwinter (16/08/22)
THE CONDITIONAL 