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+ Handicap

This 1,081m sprint with its customary big field is a challenging starter for punters at the Ebor meeting.

 

However, Yorkshire trainer John Quinn & Sean Quinn have always excelled with sprinters, and in JM JUNGLE they have another who has speed to burn and goes on any ground. The 4YO ran really well against older rivals in this race last year, finishing third when drawn on the wrong side of the track. He has not won this season, but he only place 5th at Glorious Goodwood over 1,000m last time and this will have been his big summer target.

 

Michael Appleby was the leading trainer at Glorious Goodwood with four winners, including SHAGRAAN, who was in his element on the downhill dash on fast ground over 1,000m on the Goodwood course. He does have two lengths to find with PILGRIM from Ascot, but Goodwood brought out a career-best performance from him, so there might not be much between them this time.

 

PILGRIM has shown he is effective at both 1,000m and 1,200m, so this in between trip will hold no fears. He has shot up the weights for winning his last two races at Musselburgh and Ascot over 1,000m, but he might still have improvement in him.

 

3YOs have a poor record in this race, but POCKLINGTON and KYLIAN are more than capable of running well against their elders. POCKLINGTON looked like one of the most exciting recruits on the tapeta circuit last winter, winning his first two races over 1,200m at Newcastle. He made his turf debut in a Listed race over 1,200m at Newbury in May, looking green but still finishing a creditable fifth to the classy ELITE STATUS. Forget his disappointing run in the G1 Commonwealth Cup over 1,200m at Royal Ascot, where he was out of his depth, but back down in class he could be a major player.

 

KYLIAN was a smart juvenile, winning a Listed race over 1,000m at Sandown by six lengths before finishing an excellent third to BIG EVS in the G3 Molecomb Stakes over 1,000m at Goodwood Festival. He changed stables in April and Archie Watson had him gelded in July. Dropped back into handicaps on his return at Ascot 11 days ago, KYLIAN’s second there suggests he is back to his best.

 

SELECTIONS: 16. JM JUNGLE, 10. POCKLINGTON, 8. SHAGRAAN, 4. PILGRIM & 11. KYLIAN

 

1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-1: Multiple – 16. JM JUNGLE & 10. POCKLINGTON
S1-2: Multiple – 6. RULING COURT & 11. YAROOGH

 

S1-2     Acomb Stakes

The 1,400m G3 Acomb Stakes has been won by some smart horses in recent years, including future Classic winners PHOENIX OF SPAIN and CHALDEAN, and RULING COURT could be up to the same level. He made a stunning debut when destroying a decent field to land a 1,400m Sandown maiden last month. The way he cruised into the race from the rear and then quickened up to put five and a half lengths between himself and the runner-up, PANTILE WARRIOR, was most impressive. He’s from an excellent family and is a son of top American stallion JUSTIFY. It would be a surprise if Charlie Appleby’s Godolphin colt is not up to this G3 level and there’s a fair chance he is top class.

 

YAROOGH is unbeaten in two races since stepping up to 1,400m. He beat subsequent G2 Superlative Stakes runner-up SEAGULLS ELEVEN in a 1,400m Haydock novice contest in May, before following up by making all the running under a weight penalty over 1,400m on Kempton’s all-weather track. His trainer William Haggas is not hard on his 2YOs early in their careers, so there should be plenty more to come from this well-bred colt.

 

THE LION IN WINTER is bred to be suited by middle-distances next year but he was quick enough to make a winning debut over 1,400m at the Curragh. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, he was extremely strong in the closing stages and was well on top at the line. The form of that maiden looks good. Better-fancied stablemate IDES OF MARCH finished third and he went on to win another Curragh maiden by three lengths on his next start.

 

OUR TERMS improved on his promising debut fourth over 1,400m at Newmarket’s July Course when making all the running to land a 1,200m Ascot maiden last month. The return to this longer distance will be no problem and his smart pedigree suggests he should stay even further.

 

RAJEKO was poorly positioned at the rear in the early stages of the G2 July Stakes over 1,200m at Newmarket’s July Course, so it wasn’t a bad effort to stay on into fourth place behind WHISTLEJACKET. He had made a winning debut over 1,211m at Windsor when it looked like he would benefit from longer distances. That is backed up by his pedigree.

 

SELECTIONS: 6. RULING COURT, 11. YAROOGH, 7. THE LION IN WINTER, 4. OUR TERMS & 5. RAJEKO

 

2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-2: Multiple – 6. RULING COURT & 11. YAROOGH
S1-3: Multiple – 3. DEIRA MILE & 1. LOS ANGELES

 

S1-3     Great Voltigeur Stakes

 

G1 Irish Derby winner over 2,400m, LOS ANGELES, lines up a strongly fancied contender in this year’s G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes over 2,371m. With only one blemish on his formbook, when third behind stablemate CITY OF TROY in the G1 Derby Stakes over 2,405m, Aidan O’Brien’s colt looks a key contender here having gone unbeaten otherwise. He bounced back well from his Epsom run last time out at the Curragh to pick up the G1 Irish Derby over 2,400m, where he hugged the rail and stayed on strongly in the last 200m. Provided the ground isn’t too quick for him, he looks the one to beat.

 

DEIRA MILE has been rested since his fourth-place finish in the G1 Derby Stakes over 2,405m in June and comes here fresh. He performed well that day to outrun his odds and at a larger price here again, might have flown slightly under the radar. He stayed on nicely in the final 200m at Epsom and he may well be happier back on this flatter track. Trainer Owen Burrows looks to have prepared him for this race and he is certainly one to keep an eye on.

 

KING’S GAMBIT looked a smart type for Harry Charlton last time out in the G2 York Stakes over 2,051m, when leading inside the final 200m, but didn’t quite have enough left in the tank to stay in front at the line. He is stepping up to 2,371m for the first time, though, and with any improvement from that last run and if getting his desired strong pace throughout, he could challenge the placings.

 

ILLINOIS is the second of three entries from last year’s winning trainer Aidan O’Brien. He’s found the places in all four starts this season, including when landing the G2 Queen’s Vase over 2,831m in style at Royal Ascot in June. Following that run, he just got outpaced when coming second in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris over 2,400m, losing out in the final 100m. There looks to be more to come from him.

 

SELECTIONS: 3. DEIRA MILE, 1. LOS ANGELES, 5. KING’S GAMBIT & 2. ILLINOIS

 

3RD DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-3: Multiple – 3. DEIRA MILE & 1. LOS ANGELES
S1-4: Multiple – 12. CITY OF TROY & 11. CALANDAGAN

 

S1-4     International Stakes

 

York’s G1 International Stakes is one of the premier 2,051m races in the British Flat racing calendar and features one of the most talented and talked about horses in training in CITY OF TROY. Expectations were high for Aidan O’Brien’s colt in Newmarket’s G1 2000 Guineas in May, but he disappointed when ninth of 11 over 1,600m. He more than bounced back next time, however, with a fantastic display in the G1 Derby Stakes at Epsom over 2,405m in June, before landing another G1 in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in July over 1,990m. He has the best form, the most ability on paper, and is the one to beat.

 

There weren’t many more impressive Royal Ascot winners this year than CALANDAGAN. Francis Henri-Graffard’s gelding arrived at the Royal meeting after winning two G3s at ParisLongchamp over 2,100m and 2,200m this year. Next up was the 2,392m G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, his first run on good-to-firm ground, where he was a spectacular six-length victor. He hasn’t been seen since, and the form of his Ascot win hasn’t exactly been franked, but the manner of that performance suggests he should hit the frame here.

 

York isn’t every horse’s track, but BLUESTOCKING will certainly enjoy the Knavesmire. Ralph Beckett’s filly was sensational on her seasonal debut over this 2,051m course in the G2 Middleton Fillies' Stakes, and then landed a G1 over the same trip at the Curragh a month later. She then ran a brilliant second in the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July and is sure to run well here.

 

ISRAR has taken a while to progress into a smart horse, but John & Thady Gosden seem to have found the key to him. A G2 winner over 2,400m last year, he has since run admirably when placed in G3 and G2 races before winning a competitive Listed race at Royal Ascot over 1,993m in June. He might not be able to trouble CITY OF TROY for first place, but he could certainly hit the frame.

 

ZARAKEM arrives to this race slightly under the radar. Jerome Reynier’s colt was a work in progress as a 3YO, successfully brought along slowly with five wins at France’s smaller tracks. He made a winning start this year in G2 company at ParisLongchamp in April over 2,000m and two runs later was only narrowly beaten in the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes over 1,993m by AUGUSTE RODIN. The track and trip should suit and he could surprise a few here.

 

SELECTIONS: 12. CITY OF TROY, 11. CALANDAGAN, 9. BLUESTOCKING, 5. ISRAR & 8. ZARAKEM

 

4TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-4: Multiple – 12. CITY OF TROY & 11. CALANDAGAN
S1-5: Multiple – 2. DIVINE COMEDY & 9. GREAT BEDWYN

 

1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-4:   
Banker – 12. CITY OF TROY
Selections – 11. CALANDAGAN, 9. BLUESTOCKING, 5. ISRAR & 8. ZARAKEM
S1-5:   
Banker – 2. DIVINE COMEDY
Selections – 9. GREAT BEDWYN, 13. FORZA ORTA, 5. TRITONIC & 1. SAMUI

 

S1-5     3yo+ Handicap

 

This 3,251m handicap was won last year by FORZA ORTA and he runs this year off a lower handicap mark. Kevin Ryan’s 6YO has been consistent without looking ready to win this season, finishing a good sixth in the Northumberland Plate over 3,251m at Newcastle in June. A slowly run race at Goodwood over 2,800m was never going to suit him last time out, and he can be a player if getting more of a pace to aim at here.

 

There are a few in this field that could still be further ahead of the handicapper, though, including DIVINE COMEDY who has been one of the most improved staying handicappers in the UK this season. He was much too good for his opposition in a competitive 3,242m handicap at Haydock in May. Despite a sizable rise in the weights for that victory, he showed that he still had enough in hand when going down by only half-a-length in the Ascot Stakes over 3,991m last time. DIVINE COMEDY has been highly consistent since joining the Harry Eustace yard, winning four times and placing on five occasions from nine starts, and he looks set to go close once again.

 

GREAT BEDWYN looked slightly unlucky not to win at Goodwood last time. That was his first try over 2,800m, and he stayed on powerfully in the closing stages, missing out by less than a length at the line when finishing third. While on pedigree he doesn’t look to be suited to this step up in trip, his run style suggests otherwise as he took time to pick up before staying on again last time. If he does stay, then he should have every chance of going a couple of places better.

 

Trainer Alan King’s runners continue in good form and TRITONIC looks set to run well. While he hasn’t managed a win on the Flat for over a year, this 7YO has worked his way down to a very attractive handicap mark. He didn’t look to stay the 4,088m last time out at Goodwood but managed to keep on into sixth and this drop back in trip should suit him.

 

SAMUI has a big weight to carry but he is lightly raced on the Flat and has shown he has ability in this discipline. He stretched 17 lengths clear of his rivals at Killarney over 3,368m last time, although that didn’t look a strong race and he will need to step up to take this.

 

SELECTIONS: 2. DIVINE COMEDY, 9. GREAT BEDWYN, 13. FORZA ORTA, 5. TRITONIC & 1. SAMUI

 

5TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 2. DIVINE COMEDY & 9. GREAT BEDWYN
S1-6: Multiple – 13. MIDNIGHT AFFAIR & 10. PROFITABLE EDGE

 

TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 2. DIVINE COMEDY, 9. GREAT BEDWYN & 13. FORZA ORTA
S1-6: Multiple – 13. MIDNIGHT AFFAIR, 10. PROFITABLE EDGE & 6. GUTSY GIRL
S1-7: Multiple – 2. MOVING FORCE, 6. ARTAGNAN & 5. SCATTER PENNY

 

S1-6     3yo+ Fillies & Mares 0-105 Handicap

 

MIDNIGHT AFFAIR might be the answer to this race having slipped down the weights. She went off the boil after showing useful form as 2YO early last season when she won a traditionally competitive 1,000m conditions race at Beverley and finished ninth in the G2 Queen Mary Stakes over 1,000m at Royal Ascot. MIDNIGHT AFFAIR bounced back to form and ran her best race of this season when beaten a head in a 1,216m Nottingham handicap earlier this month. Trainer Richard Fahey, who loves to target this meeting, significantly fits a visor for the first time.

 

Wins over 1,000m on fast ground at Thirsk in June and decisively at Musselburgh last month show that PROFITABLE EDGE possesses the right attributes for this test. She races up with the pace and will not be easy to pass. Her one defeat this season was when fourth to the admirably consistent MISS ATTITUDE at Haydock over 1,000m in June, but PROFITABLE EDGE is significantly better off at the weights with that opponent here.

 

MISS ATTITUDE hasn’t won in three starts since that Haydock race, but she has run consistently well, missing out by a nose in a Glorious Goodwood handicap over 1,000m at the end of July.

 

Oisin Murphy is an eye-catching jockey booking for the Charlie Fellowes-trained GUTSY GIRL, who potentially looks a few steps ahead of the handicapper. At Newmarket (July Course) over 1,200m in June she could only finish third on her first run in a handicap when she raced prominently and refused to settle. She was settled off the pace for her second handicap start at Kempton over 1,200m last month and produced an impressive turn of foot to win decisively. Given the speed GUTSY GIRL showed that day she should be equally effective at this shorter distance.

 

DESIGNER must come into calculations having won this race for the last two years. She has not raced since being unplaced in a Listed contest over 1,000m at Ascot in October last year, but she has won on her seasonal debut in the past. Trainer John Butler has booked in-form apprentice jockey Brandon Wilkie for the ride.

 

SELECTIONS: 13. MIDNIGHT AFFAIR, 10. PROFITABLE EDGE, 6. GUTSY GIRL, 4. MISS ATTITUDE & 1. DESIGNER

 

6TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-6: Multiple – 13. MIDNIGHT AFFAIR & 10. PROFITABLE EDGE
S1-7: Multiple – 2. MOVING FORCE & 6. ARTAGNAN

 

2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-6:   
Banker – 13. MIDNIGHT AFFAIR
Selections – 10. PROFITABLE EDGE, 6. GUTSY GIRL, 4. MISS ATTITUDE & 1. DESIGNER
S1-7:   
Banker – 2. MOVING FORCE
Selections – 6. ARTAGNAN, 5. SCATTER PENNY, 4. HANDCUFFED & 14. MANAGING DIRECTOR

 

S1-7     2yo Handicap

 

MOVING FORCE can take full advantage of a significant drop-in class to get his career back on track in the 2YO handicap over 1,200m at York. The Richard Fahey-trained son of MEHMAS has been set some tough assignments since making a winning debut over 1,000m at Beverley in May. After only just getting beaten by SHAREHOLDER when giving weight to him on his second start at Beverley over 1,000m, he then didn't finish far behind the same rival in the G2 Norfolk Stakes over 1,000m at Royal Ascot. Soft ground appeared to work against him on his first start over 1,200m in the G2 Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly last time out, but back on a quicker surface at a more realistic level he should take plenty of stopping.

 

ARTAGNAN appeared to improve for the step up to 1,200m last time out in a similar race at Goodwood having previously been beaten in three starts over 1,000m. Racing close to the pace that day from a favourable draw in gate 14, the son of MEHMAS stayed on well to suggest there is plenty more to come. Although the Karl Burke-trained colt was given a small rise in the weights for that victory, a reproduction of his last effort on ground which should suit will see him go close again.

 

SCATTER PENNY is the only runner in the field defending an unbeaten record having recorded victories in a 1,216m maiden at Nottingham and 1,200m novice at Pontefract. While her latest start at Pontefract has yet to work out, the form of her debut success has been well franked with the runner-up GLITTERATI winning two of his next three starts. The stable of Michael & David Easterby has been quiet of late, but runners from their yard are always worth a second glance at York.

 

HANDCUFFED made a triumphant start in a 1,200m novice event at Newbury, before finding G3 company in the Princess Margaret Stakes over 1,200m at Ascot a step too far. However, the Andrew Balding-trained filly was only beaten 3.3 lengths back in seventh behind SIMMERING, who has since won the G2 Prix Du Calvados at Deauville, which suggests she should run well down in grade.

MANAGING DIRECTOR is yet to win any of his three starts to date, but he has some useful form in defeat and could shape well off a light weight. The booking of Silvestre de Sousa is eye-catching, with the three-time champion Flat jockey operating at a 20 percent strike rate for trainer Bryan Smart.

 

SELECTIONS: 2. MOVING FORCE, 6. ARTAGNAN, 5. SCATTER PENNY, 4. HANDCUFFED & 14. MANAGING DIRECTOR

 

 

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