The first day of York‘s Ebor meeting is lit up by a magnificent renewal of the Juddmonte International with not only a clash of generations but a clash of classic winners. The unbeaten Derby winner Golden Horn is the 4/6 favourite at BetVictor and since Epsom the colt has followed up in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown when he, ultimately, ran out an impressive winner from The Grey Gatsby in receipt of 11lbs.
That weight-for-age allowance is down to 8lbs this afternoon but it is difficult to see the Kevin Ryan grey reversing the form on 3lbs better terms. The race will be run at an end-to-end gallop given there are a couple of pacemakers in the race and the stamina of dual-Guineas’ winner Gleneagles will be put to the test given the colt has never run further than a mile before in his career.
There are mixed messages from his pedigree given his father (Galileo) won the Derby but his mother was more of a sprinter (won Gp 2 Cherry Hinton as a 2-y-o) although she is a sister to the great Giants Causeway who won this corresponding race back in 2000. He is a fascinating contender and 3/1 with BetVictor.
The winning time set by Free Eagle with The Grey Gatsby runner up for the Gp 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June was 2m 5.07with the winner carrying 9 stone. Twenty-four hours later Time Test (3.40) passed his examination in flying colours over the same C&D carrying the same weight in a time two seconds faster than Free Eagle in the Tercentenary Stakes.
Pat Smullen takes over from Frankie Dettori, who rides Golden Horn, and the selection is clearly a most progressive animal. He is reported to have done a piece of work prior to Royal Ascot that marked him down as a serious animal and gets his opportunity at the very top table today. At 5/1 with BetVictor he is the each way suggestion in a race that could and should live long in the memory. Make no mistake this is a magnificent race and whatever you are doing at 3.40 make sure you are near a TV screen; it is that good!
Aidan O’Brien hasn’t won the Group 3 Acomb Stakes since Hemingway scored in 2000 and his representative Lieutenant General has only won one of four career starts although jockey Joseph O’Brien suggested the colt was of Group quality when scoring last time. At 7/2 with BetVictor he must go close but marginal preference in an open contest is for Her Majesty’s Recorder (2.30) who got off the mark at Newmarket last time on soft ground having run a race full of promise at Newbury on debut.
The wonderfully named Bing Bang Bong is another to consider for the north and David Barron in a competitive renewal although one that is unlikely to throw up a future equine star.
Storm The Stars sets the bar in the Gt Voltigeur and having finished placed in both the Epsom and Irish Derby he certainly deserves to get his head in front. That said he has already had seven starts this season and his profile, although standing up, is hardly progressive. I expected him to be shorter in the betting than 3/1 with BetVictor and it looks as though I am not the only one who wants to take him on.
Having selected Tashaar at Goodwood (3.05) last month I am loath to desert this unbeaten colt who is entitled to improve again given that was only his second career start. His wealthy connections have had to supplement him for the race and his participation certainly adds an extra fascinating ingredient into the mix. At 9/2 with BetVictor I will take a chance on Frankie who has an excellent book of rides on the opening day.
In the 2m handicap Heartbreak City gets in with a feather-weight for Tony Martin and should go close after an unlucky run at Galway last time, but this looks a better race and Noble Silk (4.20) can reward each way support for Lucy Wadham at 12/1 with BetVictor.
In the finale my two against the field are Roger Varian’s Tawwaaq and Mick Channon’s Kassia (4.55) with marginal preference for the latter who has been running in better races than this and I know is considered potentially better than her current mark. This drop in grade could see her in a better light and she is a 12/1 shot at BetVictor.
At Killarney this evening I will take a chance on Dawenkour (5.20) showing significant improvement for his Naas debut when he ran on very well over 7f. The step up to a mile will help although he has a modest draw in stall nine to overcome for Mick Halford.
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