WHAT a four days ahead at the 2019 Ebor Festival with a fantastic line up of superstars. A big shout out to William Derby and all his team who yesterday, when I was on course, were so helpful as always. See you there!
1.55 – York Handicap 5½f
Final Venture (nap) for sprint specialist Paul Midgley, who won this with Desert Law in 2017, is just very hard to knock. This seven-year-old has a great record at the track, is bang in form, with ground ideal and Oisin Murphy in the plate. He was beaten a neck in this last year behind El Astronaute and simply looks certain to run a big race again on the back of four seconds from four starts in 2019.
Unibet each way 14/1
3.00 – York Great Voltigeur Stakes Group 2 1m 3f
Constantinople for Aidan O’Brien must be one of the most frustrating horses he has in training. I watched head on at Goodwood last time when he looked sure to beat Nayef Road (Constantinople is 3lb better off) but for wandering badly from the rail two furlongs out. He is clearly tricky, yet very talented but this track is going to suit him and the form is hard to knock.
Unibet win 9/4
3.35 – Juddmonte International Stakes Group 1 1m 2f
Crystal Ocean is a marvellous racehorse and deserves to get all the plaudits today when he wins the Juddmonte International and make it four of five for 2019. This Sir Michael Stoute trained five-year-old has really stepped up this season and he will run his race following an epic contest with Enable, when a neck second, in the King George V and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Unibet win 11/10
The talented but enigmatic Regal Reality looks a big price to reward Sir Michael Stoute some place prize money too. Given the soft conditions didn’t suit him last time out when fourth to Elarqam, his Brigadier Gerard Stakes win at Sandown followed by a career best third to Enable in the Eclipse is strong form.
Unibet each way 33/1
4.15 York – Handicap 2m
Makawee has been in the first two in five of her seven starts in 2019, including two second places over course and distance on her last two starts. She handles all ground and must be thereabouts again as she continues to improve.
Unibet each way 9/1
