Nick Luck’s William Hill Blog: York Ebor Festival Day One Preview

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Day One of York’s Ebor Festival.

Wednesday, York

SHAGRAAN is a perfectly fair price to follow up his Goodwood success in York’s opener (1.50). He’s really looked a sprinter going places this season and, given his strong form at 6 furlongs as well, the intermediate five and a half shouldn’t be an issue. The weather has stayed fair for him, and it’s inconceivable he won’t get an electric pace to run at here. Democracy Dilemma and JM Jungle – both of whom are strongly respected – may ensure that lower numbers are untimately favoured.

RULING COURT can win the battle of the big battalions in the Acomb (2.40). With a big price tag and a big pedigree, he inhaled his field to draw right away at Sandown, with the form working out really quite nicely. Quite far back early that day, he may need to attend the pace a little earlier on this more tricky seven furlong track, but he didn’t look short of professionalism and cam confirm his class. Wimbledon Hawkeye should not be underestimated of the bigger prices.

LOS ANGELES can take another step forward in the Great Voltigeur (3.00). Granted, it wont be easy to concede King’s Gambit 5 pounds, but the presence of two strong staying stablemates in this should ensure a real war of attrition. You could make good case that he’d have been a fair second in the Derby but for using up plenty of petrol mid-race, and he wouldn’t give up the fight at the Curragh against smart opposition.

I’m not walking away from CITY OF TROY (3.35) in the Juddmonte International, and – at the time off writing – quite a big carrot is being dangled. If ever there was a track, ground and pace scenario to see him shine, it is this one, and another good look at the Eclipse makes kinder viewing than even that race appeared at the time. And we know he’s better than that. So I’d be far more pro than anti and, if he gets any bigger, then it will be time to step in. But I can’t leave BLUESTOCKING unbacked each way. She looked to adore the track in her previous visits, and – while the ground might be just lively enough – she’s in the form of her life, will be ridden chilly, and will finish off strongly. I’d take DOCKLANDS and Japanese raider DUREZZA to fill out the places.

IRON LION makes a lot of appeal in the staying handicap (4.10). Smart, progressive and with a touch of class, he earned good notices from Jamie Spencer earlier in the season. The key to this is whether he improves for the step up to two miles. A good dip into his pedigree renders it far from certain, but highly possible – he’s from the good Strawbridge family of stayers that includes Journey and Montare, and the exploit of much of his family suggest he shouldn’t have finished progressing.

MISS ATTITUDE is the pick in the fillies’ handicap (4.45). She did all bar win at Goodwood, with the front pair pulling nicely clear. A five pound rise is fair enough, and her low, fast ground action may be even better suited to these conditions. Tough and consistent, she looks sure to give another good go.

PENINSULA POWER could be a bit of a sleeper in the concluding nursery (5.20). It’s not conclusive that he has the class for a race like this yet, but he has shaped way better than the finishing position on two of his three starts, and might just have been warming up for a race that his trainer has traditionally done very well in.