York Ebor meeting Day 1

This meeting holds a special place in the British racing calendar for many racing fans, and after last years duel between Frankel and fresh air, Al Kazeem versus Toronado, Trading Leather, Declaration Of War and Hillstar is a little bit more competitive! We also have a very good renewal of the Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday, featuring The Fugue and Wild Coco, the Yorkshire Cup on Friday with Estimate back in action, and to top it off, the Ebor itself on Saturday afternoon.
With a great week ahead of us, it would be good to start on a winning note, and hopefully I can find some for you in this in depth preview of Wednesday's action.

1.55 - Symphony Group Stakes (5f89y - 20 run)

This will be Angels Will Fall's first run in a handicap.

A wide open sprint handicap to start us off, and Above Standard is the early favourite for Mick Easterby and Graham Gibbons. He has improved vastly in the past year, starting with wins on the all weather, but seemed to not stay six furlongs at Goodwood last time after hitting the front and fading close home into fourth place. He does have a peculiar pedigree for sprinting being by Shamardal, but he can certainly run. However, his price doesn't represent much value at 7/1. I saw Doctor Parkes win at Doncaster on Saturday, and he toughed it out well, but is in deeper this time. He also wears a head collar so clearly is a little bit quirky. Demora is a very likeable mare for Mick Appleby, who started winning off a mark of 59, and today races off 90! This trip is ideal and she loves a battle so shouldn't be too far away. Neither should Barnet Fair, trained by the very much in form Richard Guest. Again, five furlongs is definitely his trip and has crack apprentice Connor Beasley taking off a very useful five pounds. Cheviot and Bogart are others with bits of chances, but I like two in particular here, which are Face The Problem and Angels Will Fall. Face The Problem has been loitering on a dangerous mark for a while now and is showing glimmers that he is back to his best, mainly two runs ago behind Barnet Fair. He has been dropped 3lbs after a poor run in the Stewards Cup, and could easily outrun his likely big odds. Angels Will Fall has never run in a handicap and I think she isn't unfairly treated for Charlie Hills, who will celebrates two years as a trainer this week, and Robert Winston, who rides York brilliantly. I think both of these are worth each way plays in a open race.

3.05 - Great Voltigeur Stakes (1m4f G2 - 7 run)

Willie The Whipper could easily outrun his price in trappy race.

This is one of the most recognised trials for the St Leger at Doncaster on the 14th September. Telescope comes here with a slightly suspect profile after a defeat at Haydock last time out when an easy win was expected. I wouldn't be touching him tomorrow after that, because he lacked any sort of turn of foot, unlike all his rivals tomorrow. If he wins tomorrow, then I'll be more than happy to admit I was wrong but 6/4 is very short for a horse that hasn't really done it on the racecourse yet in a Group 2. Cap O'Rushes was a pace maker to the big flop Libertarian in the Irish Derby, but stayed on really doggedly to be fourth, before winning a Group 3 at Goodwood, holding off the enigmatic Excess Knowledge close home by a diminishing neck. I think he is the most solid horse in the race, taking virtually an identical path to Encke who won the Leger last year. Secret Number isn't exactly solid himself after a troublesome passage in that Goodwood race last time. He was very poor on his previous York run in the Dante which is a concern.
Foundry is a complete unknown quantity entering a race like this, but could easily play a part if he's ready to go. However, I'm going to chance Willie The Whipper for Jamie Spencer. He definitely stays the trip and ran a belter in the French Derby behind Intello last time, staying on strongly from last place around the wide outside to be sixth. If the pace is strong enough, then it could play into the hands of this lad who is a hold up type. The ground maybe a concern but his trainer thinks he will be fine on better ground so I'm not too worried about that.

3.40 - Juddmonte International (1m2f G1- 6 run)

What a race! Al Kazeem has taken all before him so far in 2013, winning three Group 1's and looking superior in most departments. He has had a few challengers, mainly Mukhadram and one of todays rivals Declaration Of War, but beaten them all. He is a beautiful horse to look at as well and despite having to give three year olds a bit of weight, he is certainly the one to beat. Toronado has never run at this trip before and over the course of his career has had varying noises coming out of the Hannon camp regarding his optimum trip. After his win in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last September, they said he was a "Derby horse", but all of this year he has been "speedy" and visually looks to have become much quicker. That won't neccesarily halt his chance tomorrow but I'm not totally convinced he will see out this ten furlongs as well as Al Kazeem.
Trading Leather is the Irish Derby winner and therefore merits plenty of respect as he definitely stays the trip well and should race prominently if not lead on his own. Declaration Of War has a little bit to find with the two principals and Hillstar may be best over further. I don't have a strong view so won't be tipping anything, but it is going to be a race to saviour no matter what.

Any feedback? Fill in the box below or tweet me @willbowler2k12

Be lucky,
Will