FOUR days of fantastic racing coming up at the York Ebor Festival 2022 and what a first day with the Juddmonte International Stakes Group 1 headlined by the unbeaten Baaeed, who is stepping up to one mile two and half furlongs for the first time in his career in a bid to make it ten wins from ten starts.

He faces some strong opposition with Mishriff, who won the Juddmonte last year in emphatic style, when beating Alenquer (was reopposing, scoped dirty Monday afternoon) by six lengths. This season Mishriff ran a blinder in the Eclipse when a neck second to Vadeni after a slow start and he may well have won with a clear run when trying to challenge. Next time out, in the King George And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, he once again broke slowly from the stalls losing many lengths and he finished third to Pyledriver at a course that doesn’t bring out the best in him. It has to be a concern that Mishriff may break slowly again and with Baaeed in the field it could mean he has no chance to make a challenge, with Native Trail, after his Eclipse third, looking like he could be the main contender here for second place.

Baaeed Unibet 4/9 on cannot be opposed once again and this Sea The Stars colt could really benefit from the step up in trip, with his blistering turn of foot taking him well clear of the opposition. There was to nothing to suggest when he won the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last time out that he wouldn’t go on over further. With the rain on Monday at York at the time of writing and more rain forecast for Tuesday it is relevant to point out that Baaeed has won on good ground.

This will be one of many special moments at the York Ebor Festival 2022.

Enjoy whether at York or #Athome watching on ITV Racing, Racing TV, or streaming live on Unibet

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

1.50 York – Symphony Group Handicap Heritage Handicap (5½f)

Makanah for the inform Julie Camacho team can be rewarded for his consistency with his first success of 2022 from the favourable stall one. This seven-year-old has been in good form, finishing second here at the Knavesmire over six furlongs to Dakota Gold (reopposes here) in May and then last month fourth over the minimum trip to the very smart Royal Aclaim in a Listed contest. Away from York he has performed well and has only once finished outside the first four in 2022, when seventh in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood. On that occasion, he was the first runner home from a single figure stall, after being at the head of affairs from stall 6 on the far side, with the higher drawn numbers having a distinct advantage. Makanah has won on good ground (currently raining at the time of writing), is on a winning mark, finished fourth at 40/1 in the 2019 race and seven-year-olds have won the last two renewals.

Unibet 10/1 each way

Ancient Times has form figures of 112 this season over the minimum trip and he just beat Makanah at Musselburgh ahead of finishing a good second to Celsius at the July Festival at Newmarket. He has won over six furlongs, has strong form on quick going, with stall 13 looking a favourable draw here for this progressive type.

Unibet 11/1 each way

2.35 York – Tattersalls Acomb Stakes Group 3 (7f)

Local Dynasty won his maiden last month at Newmarket by three and a half lengths over this trip in eye catching style. This Dubawi colt looked green early on travelling on the outside and then moved through smoothly to draw clear. This impressive looking individual can take the Acomb for the Charlie Appleby team who are in tremendous form.

Unibet 9/4 win

3.00 York – Great Voltigeur Stakes Group 2 (1m 4f)

Deauville Legend (nap) can continue on his upward trajectory by taking his first Group 2 and in doing so reverse form with the likely favourite Secret State, who beat him at Royal Ascot. Since Royal Ascot, Deauville Legend has taken the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket’s July Festival, when tipped up in my Unibet blog and then he finished second to New London at Goodwood when giving away three pounds. I’d marked up New London at Goodwood and I really should have included Deauville Legend as each way play as I thought he looked well overpriced at 14/1. Secret State won at Goodwood too, however Deauville Legend looked visually much more impressive and can take the Great Voltigeur.

Unibet 100/30 win

3.35 York – Juddmonte International Stakes Group 1 (1m 2½f)

Native Trail is a truly impressive individual and he stepped up in trip for the first time over a mile in the Eclipse at Sandown when finishing third behind Vadeni and Mishriff. It is clear from that performance that Native Trial is definitely worth his place here in the Juddmonte and this totally genuine type could really be suited by York over this distance. Native Trail is equally effective on good ground and is the one to chase home Baaeed.

Unibet 15/2 each way   

4.10 York – Stayers Handicap Heritage Handicap (2m½f)

Frankenstella won over this trip at York in September 2020 and the following season beat Rajinsky in May at Haydock over two miles, which is smart form. Frankenstella made his seasonal reappearance after a year off in May here at the Knavesmire when a good third behind Ahorsewithnoname, with Master Milliner second, who Frankenstella meets on more favourable terms in this contest. This five-year-old mare looks like she has been laid out for this race and has winning form on quick ground.

Unibet 10/1 each way