The Ebor Festival at York begins on the Knavesmire today and though there is no rematch between Crystal Ocean, who goes in today’s Juddmonte International, and Enable who runs in Thursday’s Yorkshire Oaks, day one has some interesting fare.
2.25 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group 3)
Ten 2yo horses go to post for this 7f event. Persuasion is the favourite for Charlie Hills, but Richard Fahey’s Voldermoro and Vitalogy from the Joseph O’Brien yard also have their supporters.
3.00 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)
John Gosden’s unbeaten Logician looks the pick of the five runners, but Aidan O’Brien is double handed with Constantinople and Norway, while Nayef Road for Mark Johnston is not without a chance.
3.35 Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) – The Contenders
CRYSTAL OCEAN (Pictured; Trainer: Michael Stoute, Jockey: James Doyle 5-4: Rightly favourite but will hard race against Enable have take the edge off?
KING OF COMEDY (John Gosden, Frankie Dettori) 7-2: Just beaten in the St James’s Palace Stakes but has Frankie back on board today.
JAPAN (Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore) 11-2: Has done little wrong but over course and distance in the Dante did not have his best race.
ELARQAM (Mark Johnston, Jim Crowley) 8-1: Having a fine season and C&D winner last time. Not to be discounted.
CIRCUS MAXIMUS (Aidan O’Brien, Donnacha O’Brien) 10-1: Solid performances in last three runs at top level, but this trip may suit best of all.
REGAL REALITY (Michael Stoute, Richard Kingscote) 33-1: Decent horse who will probably find one or two too good.
LORD GLITTERS (David O’Meara, Danny Tudhope) 40-1: Likely to need a big step up on previous form
CHEVAL GRAND (Yasuo Tomomichi, Oisin Murphy) 50-1: Among the best in Japan but this is a step up.
THUNDERING BLUE (David Menuisier, Jason Watson) 100-1: Third in this last year but not been at that level since.
