FOUR days of fantastic racing coming up at the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival 2021 and I’m looking forward to being at this wonderful racecourse. William Derby and all his team at York do such an incredible job.
The late absence of the Eclipse winner St Mark’s Basilica from the Juddmonte International Stakes with an injury has set up a fascinating renewal. Alcohol Free continues to improve as her win in the Sussex Stakes showed and Mohaafeth, returning to York, will get a true test this time. For the first time I’m deserting Love as she is rerouted here with the absence of St Mark’s Basilica and at Ascot, she never looked totally comfortable, although she is the main challenger to my selection Mishriff, who ticks the most boxes.
The Great Voltigeur Stakes is an intriguing renewal, and it is hard to split Kemari and Sir Lucan.
Enjoy whether at York or #Athome
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
1.50 York – Handicap (5f)
Pendleton was off for all of 2020 and just lost out to Fresh at Ascot on his reappearance, ahead of winning here on the Knavesmire beating Sunday Sovereign. Next time out the ground was too heavy at Royal Ascot in the Wokingham when he was well fancied. Pendleton was second on his other appearance at York in good ground and this highly regarded type has a strong chance from stall 20 with conditions in his favour. Unibet's 15 To Go Free Bet Offer will run on this race.
Unibet 15/2 each way
Major Jumbo has fallen to a very attractive looking mark now. This seven-year-old ran better than a midfield finish in the Stewards’ Cup, having stumbled slightly when leaving the stalls and then was ridden too aggressively at the head of affairs ahead of staying on better than might have been expected. He certainly looked in good form and his record at York over the seasons has seen him finish six times in the first four from nine starts. This course winner can go well at a big price. Unibet's 15 To Go Free Bet Offer will run on this race.
Unibet 33/1 each way
2.25 York – Acomb Stakes Group 3 (7f)
Ehraz (nap) for Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon, has ground to make up on Noble Truth from the Newmarket July Festival when second but won very easily next time out at Ascot when looking so impressive, beating Bouyant by four and a quarter lengths. This showed rapid improvement and Ehraz looks the one to follow at a track that looks sure to suit as well. Unibet's 15 To Go Free Bet Offer will run on this race.
3.35 York – Juddmonte International Stakes Group 1 (1m 2f)
Mishriff has taken his time hitting peak form this season, looking badly in need of his run in the Eclipse run but looked to be on the way back at Ascot, only finding the weight concession to Adayar beyond him. York looks sure to suit with the longer run for home, which will play to his strengths and the top-rated runner will be first past the post. Unibet's 15 To Go Free Bet Offer will run on this race.
4.10 York – Handicap (2m)
Scaramanga is on a four timer here, having won his last two starts over the jumps and his most recent appearance on the flat at Newbury last month. On that occasion he beat Rodrigo Diaz, (second to Hukum next time out) and Withhold (second at the Qatar Goodwood Festival following race) so the form lines are strong for what was a career best performance. That was Scaramanga’s first start for three months so he looks sure to step up again and you have to fancy his chances here.
Torcello is worth a small each way wager here at the bottom of the handicap over this trip. His win at Newmarket on soft going last time out showed him back to his best and he has won on good going so just doesn’t testing conditions. This talented performer has been well placed.
