Expert - Bill Esdaile
Bill Esdaile has worked in racing journalism in the United Kingdom for over 20 years. He began his working career at the Sporting Life back in 1995, and has since worked for the Racing Post, The Sportsman, and is currently racing editor of London-based City AM. He is a keen form student, and will bring a unique insight into the major European races.

Expert Column for International Stakes Day (S1) (Bill Esdaile)

 

S1-1     3yo+ 0-105 Handicap

 

Unexposed TWILIGHT CALLS has the speed to land this competitive 1,081m dash down the York straight. His first five starts came over around 1,200m but he enjoyed the drop to 1,000m at Newmarket (July Course) when getting up to beat KING OF STARS with the first two home well clear of the field. The softer ground over 1,000m at Goodwood didn’t help and he found himself too far back after receiving a bump at the start. He didn’t get the clearest of passages in the closing stages either, so it was a good effort to finish fourth.

 

This race looks ideal for Mark Johnston’s sprinter. DESERT SAFARI showed a stack of pace when beating the useful STONE OF DESTINY on good to firm ground over 1,000m at Goodwood in May. His seventh in the 1,200m Stewards’ Cup at the same track was a fine effort considering it was on ground softer than ideal and he backed it up when touched off over 1,000m at Ascot’s meeting. Conditions should be ideal this time, so he has a decent chance.

 

LIVE IN THE MOMENT will be fresher than most of his rivals after a promising first run of the season over 1,000m on the polytrack at Chelmsford two weeks ago. His last three runs on turf resulted in 1,000m victories – one from Newmarket (July Course) and two of those wins came at York. He should have sharpened up for his return to action and he still has plenty of potential as a sprinter.

 

COPPER KNIGHT loves this track. His 1,000m win in May was his fifth victory at York and it was only just more than two years ago that he was successful here at Listed level. He is still well-handicapped and he ran nicely over 1,003m at Doncaster two weeks ago when runner-up behind progressive 3YO TENAYA CANYON. It’s hard to see how he won’t run his usual sound race.

 

HURRICANE IVOR has only had four runs since joining William Haggas from France. He was a little unlucky to only dead-heat over 1,009m at Sandown in July and he backed it up when touched off by smart SIGNIFICANTLY in a 1,000m handicap at Ascot a week later. The return to 1,200m on testing ground didn’t seem to suit him in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood so he should appreciate this 1,081m distance.

 

SELECTIONS: 13. TWILIGHT CALLS, 8. DESERT SAFARI, 14. LIVE IN THE MOMENT, 17. COPPER KNIGHT & 2. HURRICANE IVOR

 

S1-2     Acomb Stakes

 

Three of the winners of the 1,400m G3 Acomb Stakes for 2YOs in last decade have been exported to Hong Kong, including DUNDONNELL (2012), TREATY OF PARIS (2013, renamed TOO FAST in Hong Kong) and PERPETUUM (2019).

 

Godolphin’s NOBLE TRUTH cost a small fortune at the sales, which was no surprise as he is by KINGMAN out of a FRANKEL mare. He was headstrong at home in the spring, but his debut third to subsequent G2 July Stakes winner LUSAIL on his debut at Newmarket (July Course) over 1,400m in June that taught him a lot. NOBLE TRUTH was much more settled when breaking his maiden over 1,400m at the July meeting, really powering away once he met the rising ground to beat debutant EHRAZ by two lengths. NOBLE TRUTH has the potential to stay much further, but he also has the ability to go through the gears and looks to have a big future provided his temperament holds up.

 

Not that NOBLE TRUTH will find it easy to confirm that form with EHRAZ, who was green at Newmarket but went one better at Ascot over 1,200m next time. EHRAZ pulled right away at the end to win with real authority in a fast time, and, while it was a low-grade affair, he oozed class throughout. On this drying ground EHRAZ, who is equally effective over 1,400m as he was over 1,200m at Ascot, might have too much speed for NOBLE TRUTH.

 

There is no substitute for following trainers in form, and Hugo Palmer has been sending out a string of winners through August. He has a high opinion of DUBAWI LEGEND, and, though the colt only landed a novice race at Doncaster over 1,405m on his debut, it was the manner in which he blitzed five lengths clear in the last 200m which impressed. DUBAI LEGEND has the perfect mix of speed and stamina in his pedigree, and, while he now jumps to G3 company, he could be anything.

 

Andrew Balding is leading the UK trainer’s table and remains in peak form, so one must respect IMPERIAL FIGHTER even though he was a relatively inexpensive yearling purchase. He came from off the pace to win his maiden over 1,400m in soft ground at Goodwood, and he looked strong when he hit the wire, which is always encouraging.

 

SELECTIONS: 2. EHRAZ, 4. NOBLE TRUTH, 1. DUBAWI LEGEND & 3. IMPERIAL FIGHTER

 

S1-3     Great Voltigeur Stakes

 

The G2 Great Voltigeur was won last year by PYLEDRIVER, who showed that winners can go on to bigger and better things when he won the G1 Coronation Cup earlier this season. Before that, LOGICIAN the winner of the 2019 renewal, followed up his victory here with success in the G1 St. Leger Stakes over 2,905m, meaning it takes a tough yet classy horse to prevail here. 

 

KEMARI heads the selections as it’s likely we haven’t seen the best of him yet, having had just three starts in his career and being unraced as a 2YO. The Godolphin-owned gelding was impressive when landing the G2 Queen’s Vase over 2,831m at Royal Ascot earlier in the season, for which he carries a penalty here. He put the race to bed at the 200m marker with a decisive turn of foot and the official winning distance doesn’t tell the story of his dominance. Although the runner up WORDSWORTH that day has yet to earn a victory since, he did claim the silver medal again in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris behind the talented HURRICANE LANE. 

 

SIR LUCAN is an interesting contender having lost out in the G3 Gordon Stakes over 2,398m at Goodwood last month, a race that could hold plenty of clues to solving this puzzle. It took a while for him to pick up in the closing stages that day having been held up, but when he did get going the son of CAMELOT was able to close on the leader in notable fashion, eventually losing out by just half a length. 

 

Reopposing from that same race are three horses that make up the remainder of the selections, the first of which is the sixth-placed YIBIR. The Charlie Appleby-trained gelding didn’t give his running that day and found conditions not to his liking. Of his nine career starts, five have come on soft ground where he has yet to record a victory, while under good or good to firm, he is three from four. With conditions likely to suit, it would be no surprise to see YIBIR involved at the finish. 

 

THIRD REALM was third in the aforementioned Gordon Stakes. He had to battle when SIR LUCAN came upsides and was perhaps just touched off by a classier rival. He, like YIBIR, has seen his best efforts come on a sounder surface and a return to those conditions on the Knavesmire are clearly positive.

 

YOUTH SPIRIT runs for Andrew Balding, who couldn’t be in better form. Having landed the G3 Chester Vase Stakes earlier in the year, the colt found the G1 Derby Stakes a little too hot when finishing down the field, but he should find things easier in these calmer waters.

 

SELECTIONS: 1. KEMARI, 4. SIR LUCAN, 7. YIBIR, 6. THIRD REALM & 8. YOUTH SPIRIT

 

1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (18 unit bets):
S1-3:   
Banker – 1. KEMARI
Selections – 4. SIR LUCAN, 7. YIBIR, 6. THIRD REALM & 8. YOUTH SPIRIT
S1-4:   
Banker – 2. MISHRIFF
Selections – 7. ALCOHOL FREE, 3. LOVE & 4. ALENQUER

 

S1-4     International Stakes

 

The 2,051m International Stakes is often one of the highlights of the UK Flat Season and this year’s renewal looks no different.

 

MISHRIFF was comfortably beaten in the G1 Eclipse Stakes over 1,990m, but he was returning from a 97-day absence there and may not have been at his best. His performance next time out in the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2,392m at Ascot is a better guide to his ability, where he ran a fine race for second over a trip that may have stretched his stamina. MISHRIFF has done most of his winning over 2,000m so the drop back to this trip is a positive. He is versatile ground wise and should be able to confirm Ascot form with LOVE.

 

LOVE struggled on her racing against colts at the Ascot’s G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and it is a concern that she looked outpaced there off the home turn, as MISHRIFF swept past her on the outside. She stuck to her task and kept on well towards the finish, but this drop back in trip will test her tactical speed even more and she looks worth taking on with that in mind and got the third place at the end. She also looks best on fast ground, so any rain would be a negative.

 

The unknown quantity here is ALCOHOL FREE, a filly that brings probably the best form into this race. When winning in the G1 Sussex Stakes over 1,600m she seemed to hit the line strongly in what was soft ground at Goodwood. That gives hope for her stamina lasting out over this new trip at a flat track like York, but on pedigree there must be doubts about her getting home. Her class should ensure she goes close, but there may be a few who finish more strongly.

 

ALENQUER came home well from an unpromising position when third in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris over 2,400m and considering he came from off a slow pace it is an effort that can be upgraded. Back at 2,051m, William Haggas’ colt could improve if given a more positive ride.

 

MAC SWINEY, as he showed when winning the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas over 1,600m, is a different horse on soft ground. If the rain came, he would become interesting.

 

SELECTIONS: 2. MISHRIFF, 7. ALCOHOL FREE, 3. LOVE & 4. ALENQUER

 

S1-5     3yo+ 0-105 Handicap

 

Irish-trained runners should always be noted in staying handicaps in Britain, and another raider ARCADIAN SUNRISE from across the Irish sea looks worthy of strong consideration in this.

 

ARCADIAN SUNRISE might have won his last two over hurdles, but he looks well worth his place in this on the Flat. He won at Thurles over 3,200m impressively last season and ran well over the same trip at the Curragh on his penultimate outing behind two decent types. His win in a competitive handicap hurdle at Galway over 3,336m means he comes into this in good form and the booking of Jamie Spencer catches the eye.

 

ELYSIAN FLAME has been running over further than this, but he should have no issues dropping back in distance given he won his last race over 3,300m. That came at Newbury and he’s run three fine races since at Chester over 3,727m, Ascot over 3,991m and Goodwood over 4,122m, so comes into this in good form. But this will be a demanding handicap for him with the increasing rating.

 

Trainer Ralph Beckett has won two of the last four runnings of this and he saddles FUTURE INVESTMENT. He was last seen when third in a 2,800m handicap at Goodwood where he ran well to finish third. The son of MOUNT NELSON was staying on at the finish that day so the step back up in trip looks a wise move, especially as he won over this trip at Chester last season.

 

Paul Nicholls is usually known for his exploits with Jumps horses, but he looks to have an interesting contender in SCARAMANGA. The 6YO has won his last three, twice over hurdles and most recently at Newbury over 3,300m on the Flat. He was perhaps a better winner than the half-length margin suggested and there could be more to come.

 

Sir Mark Prescott’s BODYLINE could be the one to complete the placings. He won a Yarmouth handicap over 2,815m two starts back and only just failed to defy a rise in the weights at Musselburgh over 2,796m last time. The son of AUSTRALIA bumped into a progressive rival there, so it was a more than satisfactory performance that he was just half a length behind the winner and providing the rain stays away, he holds place claims.

 

SELECTIONS: 15. ARCADIAN SUNRISE, 2. ELYSIAN FLAME, 6. FUTURE INVESTMENT, 12. SCARAMANGA & 11. BODYLINE

 

2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-5:   
Banker – 15. ARCADIAN SUNRISE  
Selections – 2. ELYSIAN FLAME, 6. FUTURE INVESTMENT, 12. SCARAMANGA & 11. BODYLINE
S1-6:   
Banker – 2. TENAYA CANYON
Selections – 1. TWEET TWEET, 3. MID WINSTER, 5. EY UP IT'S MAGGIE & 4. STARS IN THE NIGHT

 

TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple - 15. ARCADIAN SUNRISE, 2. ELYSIAN FLAME & 6. FUTURE INVESTMENT
S1-6: Multiple - 2. TENAYA CANYON, 1. TWEET TWEET & 3. MID WINSTER
S1-7: Multiple - 3. BOSH, 1. HELLOMYDARLIN & 8. INSTINCTIVE MOVE

 

S1-6     3yo+ Fillies & Mares 81-100 Handicap

 

TWEET TWEET returned this season with a taking display at Thirsk over 1,000m which suggested she could make up into a nice sprinter this year. Her performance next time out was underwhelming, but at Haydock last time she made all and looked to have won with something in hand. As a filly that likes to lead, competition up front could be a threat to her chances and so she may be vulnerable to a strong finishing type.

 

MID WINSTER is another prominent racer, who ran disappointingly last time out, but on previous form she is interesting.
Three starts ago she ran a fine race in Listed company at Ayr, beaten less than two lengths by KEEP BUSY, a filly that often contests Group races. Following that run she led the field at Doncaster and probably benefited from quickening from off a slow pace to beat TENAYA CANYON. She may struggle to confirm that form here however, as a strong pace looks ensured in this contest, which will suit Ed Walker’s runner better than last time.

 

TENAYA CANYON was strong at the finish when running down the leaders at Doncaster over 1,003m most recently, recording a time of 23.20s for the final 400m. Considering the field quickened a long way from home there, it should be considered a good performance. She looks a filly on the improve and can make her presence felt, despite a rise in the weights.

 

EY UP IT'S MAGGIE has been running well this season, the last twice over 1,200m and 1,215m. At Chester last time she was posted wide from an outside draw and while she looked to be coming to win her race, faded towards the finish. It was a similar story at York the time before where she raced up with the pace. Back down to 1,000m now, a trip she won over at Carlisle in May, she may be able to go close off a handicap mark that still looks reasonable. Tony Coyle’s filly is also versatile ground-wise so would not be inconvenienced by any rain that falls.

 

STARS IN THE NIGHT was thought good enough to contest a Listed race after several handicap wins earlier in the season. She has plenty of pace but will face plenty of competition for the lead here, so will need to improve to win this despite still looking feasibly weighted.

 

SELECTIONS: 2. TENAYA CANYON, 1. TWEET TWEET, 3. MID WINSTER, 5. EY UP IT'S MAGGIE & 4. STARS IN THE NIGHT

 

S1-7     2yo Handicap

 

BOSH looks a class above his rivals in this 1,200m 2yo handicap. Richard Hannon’s youngster went close on his debut over 1,000m at Salisbury and he appreciated the step up to 1,200m when winning over this course and distance in June. He followed up in a hot 1,200m novice race at Newbury and he travelled like a smart 2YO when runner-up behind top prospect SACRED BRIDGE over 1,186m at Naas in Ireland two weeks ago. This represents a drop in grade so he has an awful lot in his favour.

 

HELLOMYDARLIN will like this easier task after contesting Group contests in France on her last two starts. She probably found the ground softer than ideal when fifth in a Deauville G3 over 1,400m two weeks ago having earlier finished third behind the smart ATOMIC FORCE over 1,200m in a G2 at Chantilly. Her Pontefract second behind GIS A SUB doesn’t give her much to find with BOSH so she has to have a decent chance.

 

INSTINCTIVE MOVE came home well to make a perfect start to his career over 1,009m at Bath in May despite finding the distance on the sharp side. He didn’t get to start after getting upset in the gate when withdrawn from the G2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and he had excuses when only fifth in the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown in July. The 1,009m distance still looked on the short side despite the stiff track and the soft ground was also against him. This 1,200m distance on decent ground are his conditions.

 

FLAMING RIB was only beaten half a length when third having made the running on his handicap debut over 1,200m at Ascot last month. He showed a good attitude to win over 1,200m at Thirsk on good to fast ground last time out and he seems a most reliable 2YO.

 

POCKETT ROCKETT got off the mark at the third attempt when seeing out 1,205m in good style at Hamilton. He had shown plenty of promise over 1,000m on his first two starts but there’s no doubt the step up in distance was a big help. There should be more to come from Kevin Ryan’s youngster and he has a nice light weight.

 

SELECTIONS: 3. BOSH, 1. HELLOMYDARLIN, 8. INSTINCTIVE MOVE, 2. FLAMING RIB & 15. POCKETT ROCKETT

 

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