The York Festival kicks off this Wednesday night Australian time, headlined by the Juddmonte International Stakes (2063m).
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Juddmonte International 🏆: View the Field and Odds for the Juddmonte International Stakes
Back Me
5 Holkham Bay (Bet Now: $7.00) gets the nod for me in the opener. Strong winner over 1200m here two back before going back to 1000m at Ascot where he tracked the speed before angling wider and was quite dominant late in the piece. He is flying this horse, drawn out, should get clear air, room to move and be effective late.
Danger
4 Pilgrim (Bet Now: $7.00) is a handy gelding that resumes. He ended last prep on a high, winning at Royal Ascot over this trip, tracking the speed and he was looking the winner a long way out, letting down with purpose late to win well. Good test here in a strong race but confident he measures up.
Long Shot
1 Democracy Dilemma (Bet Now: $12.00) will put himself on speed and try hard. He hasn’t raced since July 13 over this track/distance when leading and giving a very strong sight but just couldn’t quite see it through, feeling the pinch late. He’ll look the winner for a long way.
Back Me
6 Ruling Court (Bet Now: $1.85) could be a star. Have to wait and see but he’s clearly on top here. He debuted at Sandown where he tracked the speed and was under a hold. Just a matter of how far and in the end, it was 5.5L. He is destined for better races but needs to tick this off. Confident he will.
Danger
7 The Lion In Winter (Bet Now: $3.30) is a very interesting runner. Aidan O’Brien trained juvenile that was big odds when debuting at Curragh but gee he was impressive, giving them a start and a beating and was very impressive late in the piece. The $11 SP vs $3 here is a concern but maybe he is a jet.
Long Shot
2 Jouncy (Bet Now: $15.00) rises sharply in grade but comes here off a win after winning a maiden at Goodwood where he got into a decent spot near the speed and although he had to struggle for the win, he wore them down and was too good. Not sure he wins but is one for exotics.
Back Me
I am a big fan of 2 Illinois (Bet Now: $7.50) and I think, at the odds, he’s the best on the card. I loved his win in the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot before going to the French Derby when on speed and although he lacked a turn of foot, he kept on and was really good in defeat. I think his best chance of winning is making this a proper test, not a sit/sprint. If that eventuates, I don’t think they beat him.
Danger
1 Los Angeles (Bet Now: $2.50) has the runs on the board and commands respect. He won the Irish Derby last time out and yes, he was kissed on the date with the run he got, but even allowing for that, he was very strong to the line and was impressive. Has to be rated as one of the hardest to beat.
Long Shot
6 Space Legend (Bet Now: $11.00) could well be a big improver on firmer footing. He ran in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket where he was kept quite safe in betting but he was one of the first beat and struggled in the conditions. Prior efforts were strong so I am not dismissing him.
Back Me
It’s hard to get away from 12 City Of Troy (Bet Now: $2.25). High class animal that confirmed himself as a star with his win in the Eclipse. Admittedly, not a deep edition, but he was arrogant I thought the way he put them away. He’s the #1 seed for the stable at this distance range and he only has to hold his form to win again.
Danger
10 Ambiente Friendly (Bet Now: $7.00) is one of the key threats. He tried his guts out in the Irish Derby last time but I just feel that 240m at this level is a bridge too far when third to Los Angeles. Like him back in trip, maps to do no work and has above average talent.
Long Shot
6 Maljoom (Bet Now: $21.00) is racing like a rise to 2000m suits for William Haggas. He ran in the Sussex at Goodwood where he ran his usual honest race in defeat but bumped into a star, Notable Speech. He bumps into another one here so doubt he wins but can run top four.
Back Me
14 Bringbackmemories (Bet Now: $34.00) will do me each way in what looks a very open contest. He placed at the track/distance two back before going to Hamilton when back in trip. He had to dig in to get the win but credit to him, he found. Back up in trip and off a win, he’s worth an each way ticket.
Danger
1 Samui (Bet Now: $6.00) is a beauty and has to be rated as one of the hardest to beat. He spanked them over 3388m at Killarney last time, sitting off speed before angling wider and was trucking. Just a matter of Spencer pushing the button and once he did, away this guy went and won by 15 lengths, eased down the final 200m. He’s flying and rates highly.
Long Shot
3 Iron Lion (Bet Now: $13.00) is heading in the right direction and has earned a crack at this level. He comes here off a win at Ripon where he tracked the speed and was moving quite nicely. HE angled wider for clear air and was strong late in winning. Keen to see how he goes up in trip.
Back Me
6 Gutsy Girl (Bet Now: $6.50) on top but not really a race I want to get involved in. Charlie Fellowes trained filly that was an impressive winner at Kempton last time. She got back in the run but was able to track up with purpose via the cutaway and she showed nice change up speed when asked for an effort to win. Harder here, but confident she measures up.
Danger
4 Miss Altitude (Bet Now: $8.00) is one of the leading contenders. This mare tracked the speed at Goodwood last time before angling clear and drove hard late, just missing out on the win in a blanket finish between her and the eventual winner. Hard to knock her and commands respect.
Long Shot
11 Enchanting (Bet Now: $13.00) is a knockout hope. This girl ran during Glorious Goodwood when chasing from off the speed and kept finding the line but was held late in the piece. Remains down in the weights and if she can settle closer, she’s dangerous.
Back Me
2 Moving Force (Bet Now: $12.00) is the one for me in the get out. This colt ran in a strong Group ll at Chantilly last time when on speed but couldn’t find the outside fence and that pretty much sealed his fate but that said, I think the class of race was a bit rich for him. Back to this level, he appeals for sure.
Danger
6 Artagnan (Bet Now: $6.50) is getting better with racing and off a win, appeals. The win came at Goodwood when just off the speed out wide and was moving with purpose before being clicked up and he was strong to/through the line in winning. He has to be rated as hard to beat.
Long Shot
14 Managing Director (Bet Now: $9.50) hasn’t done much wrong in three career outings and is a must for exotics. He attempted to lead throughout at Ayr last time and gave a decent sight but just couldn’t quite see it through when third. The end of 1200m is the query but with his racing style, he’ll give himself every chance.
BEST BET: Race Three Number 2 Illinois
NEXT BEST: Race Four Number 12 City Of Troy
LONG SHOT: Race Seven Number 2 Moving Force
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