Guide to the Ebor Festival Day 1

We’ve finally arrived at the 2018 York Ebor Festival, four days of brilliant, top class racing that culminates in the ever competitive Ebor Handicap. Day one of the meeting kicks off with three group races, the feature race of the day being the Juddemonte International, raced over the 1m 2f distance. Our Juddemonte International Stakes Tips can be viewed on site now alongside our ITV Racing Tips, as we look forward to a fantastic day of action.

Poet is the Word for the Juddemonte International

The 2018 renewal of the Juddemonte International is quite simply, fantastic. There are plenty of storylines and angles going into the contest, the first being the continuation of the rivalry between Roaring Lion and Saxon Warrior. The latter won the 2000 Guineas in brilliant style, with John Gosden’s charge gaining revenge in the Coral-Eclipse back in July. There was only a neck between the two and they’re likely to be split by a small margin once again. That said, they’ll have to go some to be defeating top-rated, older rival, Poet’s Word. Clear on ratings, even with the weight conceded taken into account, he looks imperious if replicating his King George victory from Ascot in July.

Progressive Cross Counter continues on the march

Every time that Cross Counter has hit the racecourse, he’s shown a marked improvement, and that was no different when he impressive swept aside Dee Ex Bee at Glorious Goodwood. People will point to Dee Ex Bee being below his best on ground that didn’t suit, but Charlie Appleby’s charge broke the track record, so there was no fluke about the performance. He won’t, however, be granted an easy time of things in a competitive renewal of the race. Kew Gardens is the current favourite for the St Leger and was impressive in the Grand Prix de Paris last time. Wells Farhh Go won the Bahrain Trophy when last seen and Old Persian can show up better on the day to.

Races

1.50pm – Sky Bet And Symphony Group Handicap (Class 2) (5f 89y)
2.25pm – Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group 3) (7f)
3.00pm – Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2) (1m 3f 188y)
3.35pm – Juddemonte International Stakes (Group 1) (1m 2f 56y)
4.15pm – Sky Bet Handicap (Class 2) (2m 56y)
4.50pm – Sky Bet Nursery Handicap (Class 2) (6f)

Going and Weather Report

Going: Good to Firm, Good in places

Weather: Mainly dry, possibility of a shower in the evening, high of 22°c, low of 12°c

Market Movers

4.50pm York – Ginger Nut (10/1 into 7/1)

4.50pm York – Rathbone (11/1 into 15/2)

Stats Of The Day

• Richard Fahey’s runners at York have been flying this campaign, with the trainer showing a huge profit of 39.00 to level stakes. He has six runners at York on Wednesday, including Eastern Impact and Eljayeff.
• Owner M Doyle has had two runners at York this year and both have won their assignments. If you backed both, you’d have a level stakes profit of 10.75 and he owns  I Am A Dreamer, who runs for Mark Johnston in the Sky Bet Nursery Handicap.