The Ebor meeting will begin on fast summer ground at York this afternoon and no significant rain is forecast until after racing on Friday. A low draw has been a help on the straight course on the Knavesmire of late and my two against the field in the opening 20-runner sprint handicap are the 3-year-old Soapy Aiken (25/1 at BetVictor) and Duke Of Firenze (1.55) with preference for the latter despite the fact that he is 9lbs higher than when scoring here earlier in the season.
Trained in Yorkshire by David Griffiths the 7-year-old ran as well as ever when fifth in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood last time and his draw in stall two looks to be a plus.
The Gp 3 Acomb Stakes is one of my favourite juvenile races of the season and William Haggas has saddled the winner twice in the last five years including with Recorder 12 months ago. Lockheed (2.30) is his representative this afternoon and I must say I thought he made hard work of winning a Goodwood maiden last time when I felt he was something of a certainty.
His performance couldn't be described as electric but he got the job done and I'm hoping he can improve again with Frankie Dettori taking over in the saddle. The selection is 9/2 at BetVictor that looks a fair price with holes in the form of the 11/8 market leader Best Of Days whose Sandown maiden win is not looking as good now as it did at the time.
Only six to post for the Gt Voltigeur Stakes and three of them are trained in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien. This Gp 2 contest is widely regarded as the premier trial for the St Leger but I am not convinced Idaho (3.05) needs any further than today's 12f trip having been, seemingly, outstayed by the brilliant Harzand in both the Derby and, subsequently, in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh.
Idaho is a brother of Highland Reel, who runs in the Juddmonte International, and at 10/11 with BetVictor cannot be opposed despite the fact that he has not won in four starts so far this term – he meets nothing of the calibre of Harzand this afternoon and compensation awaits.
The Juddmonte International Stakes looks a deep renewal although Postponed is a worthy favourite for Roger Varian despite the fact that he is dropping back in trip. The stable of Roger Varian have been quiet of late but they did have a welcome winner at the weekend and 6/4 could look very big later this afternoon.
That said an each way alternative could be Almodovar (3.40) who travelled like a top class animal over 12f in the Hardwicke stakes at Royal Ascot last time and the suggestion is that he will be even better at today's intermediate extended 10f trip. At 25/1 with BetVictor I am hopeful he might nick a place and the hope is that he gets a good tow into the race from King Bolette who is in the field to act as a pacemaker for the market leader.
Irish raiders have won the staying handicap twice in the last four years and there is a strong raiding party from across the Irish Sea again today including Botany Bay (4.20) for whom trainer Charles O'Brien has booked Frankie Dettori. The selection won a decent Leopardstown handicap last time and remains reasonably treated for his British debut; the selection is 10/1 at BetVictor and I would be disappointed if he didn't go close with stall one a positive even over two miles!
The finale is a 20-runner 6f nursery and Naafer is expected to go close although she might be better at the minimum trip at the moment and her draw in 20 could be a negative. The filly Spin Doctor (4.55) has not been seen out since disappointing in the Albany at Royal Ascot on ground softer than ideal and she gets the each way vote representing the yard of Richard Fahey, one of three in the race for the trainer, who has saddled the winner of the corresponding race twice in the last four years. The selection is 16/1 at BetVictor and that looks a fair price in what is always a hot handicap.
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