DAY three of the Ebor Festival sees Stradivarius, Trueshan and Coltrane clash in the Lonsdale Cup Stakes, with Stradivarius going for his fourth Lonsdale Cup success. The appreciative and knowledgeable crowd at York gave Baaeed a fantastic reception after his Juddmonte success and starting applauding from the furlong pole! If Stradivarius wins, which I think he will, then wait for another rousing and emotional reception on the Knavesmire.
The Nunthorpe Stakes looks much more open than the betting suggests, with Royal Aclaim looking too short after landing the City Walls on the Knavesmire and the two-year-old The Platinum Queen broke the juvenile track record at Goodwood, however, was well beaten in a Pattern race, whilst stall 13 doesn’t look ideal. Therefore, this has the look of a race where it will pay to look at the each way market, given there are so many question marks against the field.
Another brilliant day ahead at the Knavesmire with a Group 1 and two Group 2s.
Enjoy whether at York or watching #athome on ITV or Racing TV.
Cheers,
The Wine Tipster.
1.50 York – Handicap (1m4f)
Charging Thunder has finished in the first two in eight of his nine starts in 2022, winning twice at this trip as well as over one mile five and one mile six furlongs so stamina not an issue as it is with some of the contenders. Last time out he ran a good race in the Shergar Cup to finish second to Pride of Priory at Ascot, having won his two previous starts at Ayr and Newmarket respectively. The handicapper knows all about him and he will have to win off a career high mark of 98, yet he has continued to progress steadily so he can take his fourth win of 2022.
Kihavah is a dual-purpose performer who won over course and distance on his penultimate start in good style when beating Robert Walpole and on his latest appearance wasn’t given a ride to make the most use of his stamina when sixth so it is best to overlook that performance. In this open contest he can go well on his return to the Knavesmire and is worth an each way play.
Unibet 14/1 each way
2.25 York – Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes Group 2 (2m½f)
Stradivarius (nap) bids for a fourth Lonsdale Cup and he certainly showed in the Goodwood Cup when second to Kyprios that the competiveness is still there when beaten a neck after once again not getting a smooth run. Indeed, there was a moment when he made his initial challenge that you thought he was going to win. Here there is no Kyprios and the ground will be much faster than ideal for Trueshan to perform at his best.
Unibet 5/4 win
3.00 York – Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes Group 2 (6f)
Royal Scotsman was marked up in my Unibet blog for the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, which he won by 1½ lengths when beating Al Karrar with something in hand. This was further improvement after his Coventry third and the time was good too. He has to give three pounds to some smart rivals like Noble Style and Marshman but he can do this here.
Unibet 2/1 win
3.35 York – Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes Group 1 (5f)
Lazuli won a Group 2 in Meydan in February beating Acklam Express (reopposes) and then after a break ran in the King’s Stand behind Nature Strip ahead of a good fourth behind Khaadem and Raasel, (who both reoppose) at Goodwood in the King George Stakes, when doing best of those drawn near side (action unfolded up the middle). Lazuli should be bang on here with conditions to suit and the draw of stall three is advantageous.
Unibet 18/1 each way
Raasel has been so progressive over the last two seasons and has only been out of the first two on seasonal debut this season. He loves quick going and came with a surging late run to finish second to Khaadem at Goodwood in the King George Stakes. Earlier in the season Raasel was second to Fine Wine at York and will go well again here from stall 9 for the inform Michael Appleby yard.
Unibet 14/1 each way
