Get all of our best bets and tips for the opening day of the 2024 York Ebor Festival coming your way from York Racecourse on 21 August 2024.
York Ebor Festival – Day 1
Race 1 – PILGRIM 17/2
PILGRIM is progressing nicely and set to complete a hat-trick in the Symphony Group Handicap.
The three-year-old found success in a fierce Royal Ascot handicap during June and with the third winning among Listed company since there is every reason to believe a 9lb climb in weights will be manageable.
Race 2 – RULING COURT 83/100
An exciting match-up between RULING COURT and The Lion In Winter where preference goes the way of the former.
The expensive Charlie Appleby-trained two-year-old made a strong impression producing a 5.5L success on debut at Sandown and can remain unbeaten.
Aidan O’Brien’s The Lion In Winter won when debuting finding success at the Curragh and rates the obvious danger racing for team Ballydoyle.
Race 3 – LOS ANGELES 13/10
O’Brien’s won this with subsequent G1 St Leger Stakes winner Continuous last season and there is every chance LOS ANGELES can follow a similar path.
He stayed on resolutely to land the G1 Irish Derby tackling this trip at the Curragh last time and there is no doubt he sets the standard on form.
Illinois warrants consideration on the back of his runner-up effort attempting the G1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.
Race 4 – AMBIENTE FRIENDLY 7/1
It’s no surprise to see City Of Troy heading the early market after bouncing back from his season debut blip in the 2000 Guineas to land the Epsom Derby and the Coral-Eclipse in impressive style.
The Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore charge looks to be the to beat here, but one that could run him closer than any is AMBIENTE FRIENDLY, who finished a couple of lengths behind his rival in the Derby, and then finished closer to the winner (Los Angeles), albeit in third place, in the Irish version when last seen in late June.
Having twice come close over a mile and a half, James Fanshawe’s three-year-old colt might just be better suited by this shorter 10-furlong trip, and although there are plenty of horses with similar claims in this classy line-up, we could well see Robert Havlin steering Ambiente Friendly into the mix again here.
With no less than 10 of the 13 starters carrying a double-digit price, there appears to be some each-way value to be found, should any of the three principals fail to deliver.
Bluestocking and Alflaila have both enjoyed course-and-distance success this summer, but catching the eye at tasty odds is French raider Zarakem.
Race 5 – IRON LION [SCRATCHED]
A typically competitive York handicap where IRON LION may continue his progression.
The David O’Meara trained grey always looked to be doing enough winning over 1m4f at Ripon. Could have more to offer now stretching out in distance.
Race 6 – GOT TO LOVE A GREY 5/1
The early market leader is Gutsy Girl, a six-furlong specialist who is as yet untried over this minimum trip. Her sole turf success was over an uphill six furlongs, so five furlongs on this speed track will test her raw pace and a far more attractive option at the early prices is GOT TO LOVE A GREY, who arrives in top form and who is already fully proven over this course and distance.
The three-year-old was last seen running a close-up second of 16 (beaten a neck) in a big five-furlong handicap on good-firm ground at Goodwood, which is another straight, sharp track. Showing bags of early pace, she was very prominent throughout and she was only narrowly beaten for a bit of finishing speed on that downhill track.
This flatter, galloping track suits her better and she won a fillies’ Listed race in similar conditions over this course and distance as a two-year-old last season.
Race 7 – ARTAGNAN 5/1
ARTAGNAN appreciated stepping up to 6f when making a winning nursery debut at Glorious Goodwood earlier in the month.
A 8lb rise in weights will demand more, but could be suited by this galloping track and may prove equal to the task.
