This Wednesday, August 17th, sees the start of 4 days magnificent racing on the Knavesmire and here is a preview of each of the 4 days plus my best bet of the week at the end (if it runs). Wednesday 17th August The obvious highlight on day 1 is the Juddmonte International. The event was first run in 1972 as the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup and that first race was probably better than any subsequent renewal as Derby winner Roberto handed Brigadier Gerard his only career defeat. The key angle this year is brilliant miler Baaeed stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time. His main opponents on paper appear to be Eclipse 2nd and 3rd Mishriff and Native Trail, with the former stepping back down to his optimum trip after a disappointing run in the King George. Whilst not in any way wanting to compare Baaeed to the uniquely brilliant Frankel, the race has a little bit of the same feel as when Henry Cecil's star stepped up to 10 furlongs for the first time and hopefully we will see something equally memorable. Baaeed currently 2/5 fav and I think it is a matter of "If he stays, he wins". There are two other Group races on the card - the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes - a serious St Leger trial where the highly progressive Secret State is a short-priced fav but many are still wondering which Ballydoyle inmate(s) will turn up - although surely not Luxembourg who ran yesterday. The Group races are completed by the Group 3 Acomb stakes - more of this later as my bet of the week runs here. Three handicaps and a nursery complete the card and best of luck to anyone trying to find the winner of those races. Thursday 18th August Ladies day is headlined by the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks and this looks a fine opportunity for Sir Mark Prescott's globetrotting filly Alpinista to record her first British Group 1 after winning 4 Group 1s on the bounce overseas (3 in Germany and the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud last time out). Her main challenge appears to come from the two Irish 3YO fillies, Magical Lagoon and Tuesday, who both get 9lbs WFA. The Group 2 Lowther Stakes looks to revolve around the Burke yard's scintillating Royal Ascot winner Dramatised but there are some very nice fillies entered here and 6/4 Dramatised is short enough at this stage. Meanwhile the Galtres Stakes, which has been run in memory of Sir Henry Cecil since 2014, will continue to search for its first dual winner as last year's winner, Forebearance, is not entered after disappointing at Goodwood. Definitely a case of "anything could win". There is a ton of prize money going in the Harry Beeby Premier Yearlings Stakes but again this is one to get the pin out for. More handicaps and a Nursery complete what looks a very trappy looking card. Friday 19th August The Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes is the headline race of day 3 and we have the added interest this year of 2YO filly The Platinum Queen trying to follow in the footsteps of Lyric Fantasy and take this Group 1 all-age sprint. She will receive a whopping 27 pounds from the majority of the field (4YO+ colts and geldings) and her official rating of 106 is only 7lbs off the highest rated horse in the race, Emaraaty Ana (113). A very brave and sporting decision by connections and hopefully she can grab just north of 300 grand for first prize. She is currently between 5/2 and 3/1 with Royal Aclaim fav at 6/4. Also on Friday we have the Gimcrack Stakes - a race that used to be considered a Guineas Trial (the great Rock Of Gibraltar won it in 2001) but seems to be won by embryonic sprinters these days (the aforementioned Emaraaty Ana victorious in 2018). Impressive Goodwood winner Royal Scotsman currently heads the market but you couldn't imagine 2 more different tracks that Goodwood and York and he has to give his rivals 3lbs. The Burke yard have another interesting candidate here and Marshman could prove to be the answer. The Lonsdale Cup completes the Group action and Alan King will be doing a rain dance at Barbury Castle in the hope that Trueshan gets some cut in the ground. A mixed waether forecast should give him hope after this latest heatwave. With no Kyprios around this looks tailor-made for Stradavarius - IF it stays dry. Two handicaps (both sponsored by Sky Bet - go figure) and a maiden round off the card. Saturday 20th August Britain's richest handicap, and the race which gives its name to the entire meeting, headlines Saturday's card. £300,000 to the winner of The Ebor Handicap and with 84 still entered at this stage it is bound to be a big field and hugely competitive. Paddy Twomey's Earl Of Tyrone, who has won his last 3 starts in Ireland, just about heads the market at around 8/1. The Irish have been very successful in the race over the last dozen years and Johnny Murtagh's Prince Alex could enter calculations if we get plenty of rain. Coltrane has had a massive season and should also go well if running here. As the 6 day declarations aren't in yet I will just add that there is also the Group 3 Stensall Stakes and Group 2 City of York Stakes to savour. Bet of the week: I was hugely impressed by the debut of Peter Chapple-Hyam's Defence Of Fort at Ascot and he rates my best bet of the week in the Acomb Stakes, currently a best-priced 15/2 with SkyBet. Defence Of Fort is a really handsome chestnut colt and won going away at Ascot, despite showing greenness. Whilst that form is not a strong as favourite Nostrum's Sandown victory (boosted by Arrest the other day and Batemans Bay) I just feel Defence Of Fort could be a pretty special colt and hopefully he will take his chance in the Acomb.
Rain expected in the region this afternoon, and thunderstorms tomorrow. Defence of Fort doesn't have a pilot yet. J Watson rode him at Ascot and has a mount in the first race. I'm guessing every agent is ringing up Chapple-Hyam for the mount. Hope he picks the right one. Usually a good race and quite a few Classic winners have won it, though the last Derby winner was Royal Palace. For some reason Dick Hern liked putting debutants into this race and he won it with Height of Fashion and Gorytus, while Bustino, who finished 3rd, was another. AOB seems to have Cairo entered but Moore is listed as partnering Nostrum. Got to take that as significant haven't you?
Certainly one of the UK's great race meetings. Wish I had been able to go there at least once. If I remember correctly, the York racecourse several years ago was not a full oval, but a left-handed horseshoe-shaped track of 1-3/4 miles? Don't know what year it was extended to a full oval? It used to be kind of like Hong Kong's Sha Tin and Happy Valley in reverse?
I was really looking forward to seeing Francesco Clemente in this but he has disappeared from the entries having gone from 7/1 to 15/8 fav. Anyone have any news on him?
2005, so that they could hold Royal Ascot at York. 2 miles used to be the longest they could run. 2 mile races are started in front of the stands now and not on the old straight extension (N-S spur) of the back straight. Still start races on that spur.
Taking on Naval Power (currently 1/3 fav) then - Defence Of Fort 8/1. Defence Of Fort covered Ascot's 7 furlongs a second quicker than Defence Of Fort (both on good-firm ground) so the price difference appears quite surprising.
Apologies, not York, but Laurel is entered at the same mentioned meeting (Sandown, Sat). Set to take a huge leap in class, to Group 3 level, but from what she showed on her racecourse bow looks more than capable of such a step. Can't wait to see the old girl in Pattern company.
