A Tote Placepot will be running on day one of York’s Ebor Festival on Wednesday 20th August, where the Juddmonte International Stakes will light up the action on the Knavesmire. Here at GG we will attempt to land the Tote Placepot and pick out our best selections from the first six races on what is a fabulous day’s Flat racing.
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Leg 1: 1.50pm – Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap
Leg 1 Selections: (2) Jordan Electrics, (9) Azure Angel
A bumper field of 20 will head to the 5f 89y start for the opening race of the meeting and this sprint handicap is a real head-scratcher for punters looking to kick off with a bang. In terms of the Tote Placepot it’s wise to stick a couple of selections in your perm, and the first of those is Jordan Electrics for Jim Goldie. The nine-year-old was second to Jm Jungle in this race 12 months ago and off a 1lb lower mark on Wednesday has to stand a huge chance. Azure Angel can be the backup, as he found himself in a poor position at Ascot last time out, and now dropped 2lbs looks capable of being on the vicinity and making the frame.
Leg 2: 2.25pm – Tattersalls Acomb Stakes
Leg 2 Selections: (1) Distant Storm
The Group 3 Acomb Stakes is set to be a real dust-up between Godolphin and Ballydoyle with the former being represented by Distant Storm and the latter by Italy. The pair dominate the better and look to be a couple of exciting juveniles, but it’s Godolphin’s Distant Storm that can land the prize. A hugely expensive purchase, the Night Of Thunder colt was impressive when beating Constitution River on debut at Newmarket and has shaped like there’s a lot more to come. Italy was beaten at Leopardstown last time out, so the jury is out on him and it’s Distant Storm that can cement his place as a potential Classic contender next season.
Leg 3: 3.00pm – Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes
Leg 3 Selections: (1) Lambourn
A dual English and Irish Derby hero, Lambourn has been the dominant middle distance performer amongst the boys this season and Aidan O’Brien’s multiple Classic winner is a warm order for the Great Voltigeur Stakes on Wednesday at 3:00pm. With potential aspirations in the St Leger at the end of the season, Lambourn will make his first start since bounding to victory in the Irish Derby at the Curragh and he should have relished the break and can kick on again. With bundles of stamina, he’s tailor-made for this sort of test and he can get the better of the likes of Carmers and Pride Of Arras.
Leg 4: 3.35pm – Juddmonte International Stakes
Leg 4 Selections: (6) Delacroix
Both proven Group 1 stars, Delacroix and Ombudsman are set to serve up another classic clash in the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at 3:35pm. The former came out on top in the battle of Sandown Park in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes and Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old can duly frank that form and land this prestigious prize. Having suffered an awful passage during that Eclipse, Delacroix quickened impressively to land the prize in the closing stages and receiving 7lbs from Ombudsman here he can do the same again. He flopped in the Derby, but this 1m 2f trip looks his ideal and he is certainly open to more improvement and can land this prize with aplomb.
Leg 5: 4.10pm – Sky Bet Stayers Handicap
Leg 5 Selections: (3) Santorini Star, (12) Artisan Dancer
We move to the penultimate race in Wednesday’s Placepot and the 2m 56y contest is off at 4:10pm and is one where it’s wise to stick a couple of horses in the perm. The first of those has to be Santorini Star, who has failed in Listed and Group 3 company in her last two outings, but had previously won a Goodwood handicap. She returns to handicap and is one that will relish this trip, as will Artisan Dancer, who is only 2lbs higher than his last winning mark and he could be picking up the pieces in the closing stages and can make the first three in the last few strides.
Leg 6: 4.45pm – IRE Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Fillies’ Handicap
Leg 6 Selections: (1) Star Of Mehmas, (6) Flourescence
A tough final leg of the Tote Placepot comes up at 4:45pm and it’s a race you have to head in double-handed to try and secure a piece of the pot. Runner-up in the Listed Westow Stakes at York, Star Of Mehmas flopped in the City Walls contest at York last time out, but back into handicap, albeit off top weight, gives him a chance of returning to some sort of form. A winner last time out at Redcar, Flourescence takes a notable step up in grade for this event, but she was much the best that day and with only a 4lbs rise to deal with could be handful off 90 for Ed Bethell.
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