Welcome to York Races, we should have been looking forward to attending Saturdays Ebor this year but sadly due to the Covid-19 situation that's not to be.
This is an update on the status of the "Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival", correct as at 2pm Tuesday 18th August. As the Covid-19 crisis has come to affect so many individuals and organisations, it will not be a surprise that racing, as both a sport and an important employer, has too suffered unprecedented consequences.
Most recently, in line with Government advice, the British Horseracing Authority confirmed that existing horseracing meetings in front of a paying crowd, nationwide, should be cancelled for the time period that includes the remaining racedays due at York to the end of September. Racedays will continue to happen "behind closed doors" with the feature races shown live on ITV in August. Consequently, this means the cancellation of sixteen racedays scheduled with a crowd for York Racecourse, including the Dante Festival already lost in May the whole week of the 'Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival' between Wednesday August 19th and Saturday 22nd August and also the meeting on Sunday 6th September 2020, at least we got some racing on TV to enjoy and hopefully the action can return soon with a crowd.
Going: Good [Good to soft in places].
Weather: Some showers expected and high of 19C.
Here is today's races and our selections including the Ebor Handicap off at 15:40;
13:50 Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes (Group 3)
1m 177y [Class 1 9 Runners]
The meeting begins with a good Group 3, have to begin with DARK VISION the winner of the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot and backed that up with a listed win at Pontefract so this is the next likely step up for Mark Johnston's colt who looks an improving type as a 4yo. The mare MISS O'CONNOR is lightly raced but quickly made the grade into Group class and with Tom Marquand in the saddle still makes plenty of appeal despite losing her winning streak last time. Epic Hero has been campaigned abroad and will be interesting what his first effort on Uk soil will bring, maybe one for later in year, support for Zabeel Prince who's only raced once this year but was taking on Group One horses before that and should welcome a drop in class having won a G1 in France last year.
Winner - (2) Certain Lad @10/1 [Hollie Doyle]
14:25 Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (3yo)
1m 5f 188y [Class 2 15 Runners]
Big field over the Ebor trip limited to 3yo's headed by MAMBO NIGHTS who's been improving this season winning three on the bounce, might not have stopped yet and should be backed here. Will also consider COLTRANE [WON 12/1] as my second choice against this field, while support for the filly DANCING APPROACH could be interesting getting the weight allowances and at 20/1 appeals each way.
Winner - (12) Coltrane @12/1 [O Murphy]
15:00 Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 2)
7f [Class 1 9 Runners)
We shall take a pair against the field, last seen running a decent race at Salisbury BEAT LE BON on only his second outing this season and with the Richard Hannon team having good success this week might well be one to follow. SAFE VOYAGE [WON 4/1] ran on for 4th in the G2 Lennox Stakes at the Goodwood meeting, with a better run and fewer traffic issues should be a lot closer today.
Winner - (4) Safe Voyage @4/1 [Jason Hart]
15:40 Sky Bet Ebor Handicap
1m 5f 188y [Class 2 24 Runners]
This afternoon's feature handicap has a massive field but the clear favourite should be FUJAIRA PRINCE [WON 11/2] for Roger Varian easily won at Royal Ascot and that was his only contest this season so far, might have been put away for this, a shrewd yard is likely to be a short price in this. Another strong improving filly MONICA SHERIFF won five on the spin last year including a Group 3 in France and this is her season debut, would also appreciate the rain if it comes. The veteran mare VERDANA BLUE will certainly be staying on and might be a place bet to nothing with Ryan Moore an interesting booking for Nicky Henderson but should be vulnerable to one of the younger unexposed horses. Another interesting one for me in the place markets will be COMMUNIQUE [Non Runner] (Mark Johnston) who has had plenty of efforts in Group races and might find the trip and handicap company more accommodating while 33/1 is appealing from a trainer who has to be respected.
Winner - (4) Fujaira Prince @11/2 [Andrea Atzeni]
16:10 Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed)
5f [Class 1 10 Runners]
Hosed up at Goodwood last time ACKLAM EXPRESS [WON 10/3f] can continue his progression on only his fourth start as a 2yo. While BLACKBERRY is an unbeaten filly with any amount of potential and these two should go well against the field.
Winner - (1) Acklam Express @10/3f [Tom Marquand]
16:40 Sky Bet Handicap
1m 2f 56y [Class 2 17 Runners]
SINJAARI [Non Runner] was the winner of the John Smiths Cup here beating a big field of 22 runners, sure to go well again and shortlisted to follow up. DEREVO won three of his eight starts so far, trip no problems, well bred, placed in his last handicap at Goodwood and another sure to give a good account so it's that pair for me against the others.
Winner - (12) Lucander @10/1 [Harry Bentley]
17:10 Sky Bet Apprentice Handicap
5f [Class 2 11 Runners]
The concluding handicap is for 3yo's only and apprentice riders so we'll focus on a pair with jockey's that have lost their claim that's Joshua Bryan on board Sunday Sovereign who is owned by the King Power Racing and was sent off favourite for the Norfolk stakes at Royal Ascot so should find this more to his liking, while Cieren Fallon riding Sampers Seven has already been showing signs that he will one day be a champion like his father and the horse is a previous winner at this track.
Winner - (10) Live In The Moment @10/3f [Georgia Dobie]
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