Day One of the four-day Ebor Festival at the wonderful York Racecourse with the feature the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at 3.35. Paddington is Unibet 4/7 on to record his seventh win on the bounce in 2023, following his most recent victories in the Eclipse at Sandown and in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in appalling conditions. Both Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore were very effusive after the Sussex Stakes and clearly expect more to come. There are some who will take on Paddington with the five-year-old Mostahdaf Unibet 9/4, who was brilliant in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, when beating Luxembourg by four lengths and who goes well fresh.

An enthralling afternoon ahead on the Knavesmire with top quality Group action and the handicaps, which look particularly tricky on Day One. Enjoy whether at York or #Athome watching on ITV Racing and Racing TV.

Cheers,

The Wine Tipster

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

Korker has an excellent York record with form figures of 272132 and 11, when carried wide at the start and left with no chance. The consistent type has been in good form on his last two starts when on his most recent appearance at Sandown just getting pipped on the line by Dream Composer, after his penultimate performance when a good second to Vintage Clarets (reopposes) at Newcastle with Fine Wine in third! Korker will thrive in these conditions and with his course record, can score his fifth career success.

Kuwait City looked an ideal type for this five-and-a-half-furlong intermediate trip when getting up late to score over five furlongs here in May in a big field. The form looks very solid as the race has thrown up no less than 11 winners, with second home Jm Jungle (reopposes), twice successful since. Kuwait City ran to that form next time at Ayr, but he has been below form in two subsequent starts and was never in it at Newmarket on his last appearance, when the race suited those up with the pace. This three-year-old clearly needs to bounce back, though he is well drawn in stall four among some likely low-drawn pace angles and will like the quick ground too.

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

Edwardian (nap) is the selection for the Aidan O’Brien team, although there is no doubting Ballymount Boy’s second to weekend Group 1 winner Vandeek at Goodwood is the best bit of form, but that, and indeed his win at Hamilton, were both achieved with plenty of cut, so the likely fast ground is a question. It is certainly true to say it is the same for Edwardian too, but he’s bred to want it, and he’s crying out for further after taking all day to get on top over five furlongs at Naas, although he won going away at the finish (half-brother Aspen Grove wanted 10f) and he looks the one that could improve plenty on his third career start.

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

Continuous was right back on track when second to the mighty King Of Steel at Royal Ascot in the King Edward VII Stakes last time out when the first two were well clear of the rest. The current favourite is Gregory, who won the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot over one mile six furlongs looking like a real stayer when holding off Saint George. My preference here is for Continuous over this distance in a tightly matched Great Voltigeur on quick ground which really suits him.

4.10 York – Stayers Handicap Heritage Handicap (2m½f)

Aztec Empire is in strong form after a third to Ebor contender Calling The Wind at Newcastle last month and then he finished in the same position behind the current Ebor favourite Sweet William at Newbury when looking to be travelling really well two furlongs out. Both of those starts were over this distance and Aztec Empire was running on at the finish at Newbury, so the distance is no problem. This Sea The Stars colt will relish the quick going and can come with a late challenge to record his third success of the 2023 season.

Grappa Nonino came right back to form to his take his third victory in 2023 at the Curragh ten days ago on good ground for the Dermot Weld team over one mile six furlongs, having won over two miles one furlong on the flat back in May. There was plenty to like about this four-year-old’s attitude on this occasion and this dual-purpose performer must have a strong chance, with the inform Saffie Osborne booked to ride.