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Megan Nicholls: Ebor Festival Day One Tips

WEDNESDAY RACING TIPS

York 2.25 – Acomb Stakes

I like the look of Ruling Court (11/10 fav) here.

He’s a horse that is pretty unfurnished and has so much physical improvement yet to come. But he was seriously impressive in the Maiden Stakes at Sandown in July, when he was dropped in and came past the field as if they were all standing still.

The form of the race – though just a typical competitive Sandown maiden – has worked out quite nicely. The second place that day, Pantile-Warrior, came out and finished second in another hot race while the third, Stanhope Gardens, has also won at Beverley since.

It was a tidy enough race and Ruling Court was a long way clear. He was the big talking point after being sold at the Arqana Breeze-ups for €2.3 million (£1.95m). He is a son of Justify so there is lots to like.

He’s up in grade – but he deserves to be. The Acomb is always a competitive race, and we have some exciting two-year-olds in it this year, but I am looking forward to seeing Ruling Court back and I’m going with him here.

Megan’s Selection: Ruling Court WIN

York 3.00 – Great Voltigeur Stakes

One of my favourite horses in training, King’s Gambit (9/4), runs here and I can’t go against him now.

He was narrowly beaten in the York Stakes last time by Alflaila (who runs in the Juddmonte International), was only just behind Jayarebe in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot and won the London Gold Cup at Newbury, which is one of the most competitive handicap races of the year too. His form really stacks up.

There’s loads to love about King’s Gambit, I really love this horse. The fast ground will be fine for him as well.

I know he’s taking on Los Angeles (11/8 fav), who won the Irish Derby at the Curragh back in June. He’s pretty tough but I would argue that if York doesn’t get the little bit of rain they are hoping for and it does stay good to firm, then it might end up being a bit quick for Los Angeles. He’s a big horse and might just need a bit of cut to be seen at his best.

King’s Gambit goes on the quick ground with no problem whatsoever and I’m hoping he can provide his trainer, Harry Charlton, with a big York winner.

Megan’s Selection: King’s Gambit WIN

York 3.35 – Juddmonte International Stakes

It’s so good to see a big field in the Juddmonte, I think this is absolutely brilliant for racing. It just shows the depth we have in the 10-12 furlong division at the moment – it’s red hot!

I’m delighted to see four top-class three-year-olds taking on the elders here, while there are plenty of horses with good course and distance form and good consistency.

We obviously have City Of Troy (11/10 fav) back in action. He was unbelievable in the Derby back in June and, while he wasn’t as visually impressive at Sandown in the Eclipse, he looked to take a bit of a knock or a false step slightly around the bend.

That meant he hung a bit and looked awkward under pressure in beating Al Riffa, who has bolted up in a Group 1 in Germany, since.

If we get the City Of Troy we saw in the Derby, I don’t think anyone will get near him.

It’s interesting to see Calandagan (6/1) dropped back down in trip having absolutely bolted up in the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot last time. That was his first time on quicker ground and he handled it seriously well. However, the strength of that form definitely isn’t as strong as the Derby form.

So I am going to go with City Of Troy. I think Aidan O’Brien’s confidence in this horse is unbelievable and quicker ground on a nice big galloping track really suits him. I hope we get the Derby performance again.

His biggest danger might end up being Bluestocking (9/1), who has just been a revelation this year. She has improved massively again. She’s a winner at the track previously when winning the Middleton Fillies' Stakes back in May.

In a race with so much depth, you could look at plenty of angles here… but City Of Troy is my pick to win and Bluestocking can get into the places.

Megan’s Selection: City Of Troy WIN; Bluestocking EW

York 4.10 – Stayers Handicap

I am going to throw Tritonic (25/1) in here at a big price.

I’m not totally convinced he stays the two-and-a-half miles. There was a better run from him in the Goodwood Handicap last time but he just didn’t quite see it out.

Dropping back to the two-mile distance helps him and he’s off a really attractive mark of 92. They actually dropped him a pound from his performance at Goodwood and I think that leaves him really well treated.

I just think this horse is ready to throw in a big one.

Samui (5/1 fav) is obviously interesting for Gordon Elliott at the top of the weights having absolutely bolted up last time at Killarney. However, he’s been given a serious hike in the weights as a result and a mark of 102 in a handicap of this depth is tough.

He’s weighted way above what he should be on the Flat in comparison to his hurdles mark. Either he’s well-handicapped over hurdles or the handicapper has rated him very harshly here. It’s hard to know where we stand with him.

Megan’s Selection: Tritonic WIN

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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation

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