The Neighsayers - York Ebor Festival Day 1 Preview

The greatest week in the flat calendar is here, there's just something about York, a race course that does it so right and year on year gets the horses, crowds and plaudits it deserves and this year looks as good as any they've had. A packed Juddmonte, new Acomb entry rules see a monster clash so early and extra prize money for the City of York stakes surely has be on the cusp of Group 1 status. All that and not even mentioned the Nunthorpe, but that's for Friday... Let's get into Wednesday's action.

13:50 Symphony Group Handicap

Atleast we've got an easy race to ease us into the week... Typical York sprint where I'm sure if you ran this 22 times you'd get 22 different winners but let's try and work out how this goes. Low draw normally favoured here but there's pace all the way across the track, coming from stalls 2,3,6,7,9,10,11,12,15,16,17 and 19, should be a fair contest. However, I'm sticking low and coming from stall 3 is DEMOCRACY DILEMMA, he ran a cracker in a listed race here lto give the inconvenience of the hood at the start, rushed up and gave the other Hay runner a nice tow into it. Carries plenty of weight here but he's plenty of speed and with the tail wind forecasted (thanks to the Barstewards for pointing this out) it should pay to be handy. Drawn next to the selection BOLD OPTIMIST is one I wouldn't want to lose on, won't lead here but will be sat just behind them and could take another sizeable step forward. No originality for the final horse but PILGRIM the final horse I wouldn't want to not lose on. Holyrood house form has been advertised well since, few winners in good handicaps at the July meeting and Glorious Goodwood and also a listed winner over in France. No doubt he's good enough to be involved here if there's no favourable track position.

• Pilgrim 10 EW 6pl WH, 8/1 365 6pl, 9/1 5pl Coral, Lads
• Bold Optimist 12/1 Bet365 6pl, 12/1 WH 6pl
• Democracy Dilemma 12/1 General, 6pl 365 & WH, 5pl elsewhere

14:25 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes

2 horse race here on paper but would have to favour RULING COURT (how'd ya pick that one), looks to possess a bit more boot than The Lion in Winter and the selection will only improve for that Sandown run. The Lion In Winter to follow him home, if you're looking for the tricast, well couldn't have been more impressed with Yaroogh under the penalty at Kempton, ridden like the best horse in the race and won like that, from a nice family and should keep improving. Not a race to go mad in.

15:00 Great Voltiguer Stakes

No bet as a single in here but i'll be playing the straight forecast of Los Angeles to beat Deira Mile. Typical Coolmore tactics will see the race set up on a plate for Los Angeles if he's good enough. As for Deira Mile I can see him being outpaced before finishing strongly on his way for the leger. King's Gambit I've stamina doubts around him, he had the perfect set up in the York stakes last time and couldn't see that out. Space Legend was a proper rascal before the start of the Bahrain Trophy and has probably got himself booked in for his nuts off should he repeat any of them antics here.

15:35 Juddmonte International

Such a good race, hopefully it lives up to it's billing and we see a race for the ages. It just has to be a sit on your hands and watch race and just enjoy it. City of Troy is becoming an enticing price though I will say that. This race has been covered 100x over this week and another 100x again so I can't add anything that hasn't already been said. Next.

16:10 Sky Bet Stayers Handicap

Got to say, GET SHIRTY is a more than fair bet at 20's, huge eye-catcher at Royal Ascot before running no race at Goodwood. Could they have had York in mind? It's a possibility but he showed absolutely nothing there. Has to be bet here though at the prices, would be amazed if this doesn't shorten, especially with 5 places around.

16:45 Visit Irish Yearling Sales with ITM Fillies Handicap

Market probably has this about right, priced fairly tight however preference is with DESIGNER who's coming back for the 3-peat of this race. Slight negative that she's not seen the track this year yet, but does go well fresh (won in 2022 and 4th in a listed race in 2023) and with her record in this race, you can bet your money she'll be 100% for this. GOT TO LOVE A GREY the classiest horse in the race though, she was very much back to her best at Goodwood last time and back to a speed track like York, she holds every chance, if you can get the 5/1 about for her and play each way, struggle to see you losing. 2 good each way bets here.

• Designer 9/1 4pl Bet365 & WH

17:20 Sky Bet Nursery

Not sure this is the strongest nursery that'll every grace the Knavesmire I can not believe the price of MOVING FORCE, the step up to 6 furlongs seems logical now handicapping given he finished off at Beverley in the conditions race there behind none other than Shareholder, Norfolk winner and hotly fancied in the Prix Morny before being a complete and utter nut job in the first furlong and lost all chance. 14's and 12's a stand out on this currently but generally 11/1 available and if this isn't bet tomorrow I'd be astonished. Would be nice to see the Easterby's unbeaten filly run a race too, ice cream carts on course will be on standby.