Tonight’s bulletin covers the first two days of the York Ebor meeting.
Day 1
The ever popular Sergeant Cecil will no doubt come in for some support in the Lonsdale Cup at 2.00. He has not shown his best form in recent runs however and I am going to look elsewhere for the winner. Juniper Girl steps up in class having snatched the Northumberland Plate in the dying strides. Rain would help her cause and she could have an each way chance in soft ground. Septimus looks to have the right credentials. Lightly raced, he won the Dante in soft ground in 2006 and also has solid form on a fast surface. Balkan Knight is the other one I like. He has won twice this season and was 4th last time out in the Goodwood Cup.
I don’t hold any particularly strong views on the Great Voltigeur at 2.35. Macarthur, a brother to Derby winner Motivator may be better than his form figures this season suggest while Hearthstead Maison is consistent and comes from an in form stable.
The big three in the Juddmonte International are Authorized, Dylan Thomas and Notnowcato. My narrow preference is for Authorized who may have beaten Notnowcato last time but for the canny tactics adopted by the winning jockey. Duke of Marmalade has pretty solid form and could go well at a price.
Tajdeef was an impressive winner at Newbury and is taken to win the 3.50 at the expense of Campanoligist and Captain Brilliance.
Oasis Wind was a comfortable winner at Leicester 3 weeks ago and looks the one to beat in the nursery at 4.25.
Buachaill Dona has not recaptured his smart form from last season as yet. I will give him another chance in the 5.00
Day 2
There are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 1.30, Plum Pudding, Star of Light and Heaven Knows. The latter has been off the track for a year following training setbacks but looked a progressive sort before that. I will take a chance with him here.
Purple Moon won a listed race at Goodwood on his last outing and could well be a blot of the handicap in the Ebor at 2.35. He may be a short price though so I will have a look at some of the others. Strategic Mount won last time out and would come into the picture if the ground is fast enough for him. Minkowski is an interesting entry. He handles soft ground well and should be all the better for this step up in trip given his pedigree.
Honolulu won a listed race at Limerick last time out and there may well be more to come from him as he has only raced 3 times. Tranquil Tiger won a listed race at Newmarket in a fast time last month and is one for the short list as is hurdler Pevensey who tackles a trip beyond 12 furlongs on the flat for the first time. Macorville was only just touched off by Juniper Girl in the Northumberland Plate and would have a major chance on soft ground if making the cut. All the Good has won 3 times over this trip and is only 2 lbs higher than his last winning mark.
Purple Moon looks the most likely winner. Honolulu, Minkowski and Strategic Mount would form the rest of my short list although the last named needs fast ground.
Alexandrova makes her first appearance of the season in the Yorkshire Oaks at 3.10. It is asking a lot for her to win this after a lengthy lay off and Peeping Fawn looks the one to be on.
Runners entered from our list to follow at other meetings:
Tuesday
Brighton 4.05 View from the Top
Wednesday
Carlisle 2.15 Cadwell: 4.00 Spume
Next update Wednesday
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