The Ebor meeting at York kicks off on Wednesday with a top quality card including the reappearance of English and Irish Derby winner Australia.
His Epsom form may have been devalued since but there is no doubt he is the star middle-distance colt of his generation. The Irish Derby told us nothing as it was little more than a training exercise for Ballydoyle and Aidan O’Brien has expressed some concern over the colt’s fitness. He is also dropping back to a mile and a quarter and meeting older horses for the first time.
He should comfortably see off the other three-year-olds but it will be interesting to see how he matches up with Telescope and Mukhadram. The latter should come out on top in that particular clash with this trip much more to his liking than the mile and a half at Ascot last time. He stuck on gamely enough but is at his best at a truly run ten furlongs. He should provide a good test but Australia’s pace can prove decisive.
His closest pursuer at Epsom was Kingston Hill who goes for the early Great Voltigeur Stakes over the Derby distance. Roger Varian pulled him out of the Irish Derby owing to the quick ground and it would be ironic if he runs him here on a similar surface. He really does like a bit of give in the ground so looks a slightly risky proposition unless there is overnight rain.
The Acomb Stakes looks well above average with some promising colts assembled. Top of the list is Basateen who earned Derby quotes when winning by eight lengths at Doncaster last time. He already looks as though he wants a proper stamina test so I’m expecting Paul Hanagan to have him at the head of affairs from the start.
Growl and Dutch Connection both won nicely last time and I was particularly taken with the latter. It may have been a moderate race at Goodwood but he was always moving easily and looks worth an each-way bet here.
The card opens with the kind of race where a pin is as likely to find the winner as hours of form study! Goldream and Move In Time fought out a great finish in the Shergar Cup and are handicapped to dead-heat but I’m just swayed by the early money for last year’s winner Bogart.
It doesn’t get any easier for punters later on but Bantam could be the answer to the two-mile handicap. Ed Dunlop has booked Ryan Moore for the ride and the filly may have needed her run at Ascot after a lengthy absence. She is not proven over this trip but shapes as though she will get it.
Finally, I have to invest in Prize Exhibit after her nine-length demolition of a couple of promising colts at Nottingham. She looked as though she may not enter the stalls at one point but settled well in the race and won pulling a cart. A 6lbs penalty won’t stop her if she is in the same frame of mind.
Bogart 1.55 at 16-1 Stan James
Basateen 2.30 at 5-2 BetVictor
Dutch Connection (each-way) at 14-1 William Hill
Kingston Hill 3.05 at 6-4 Bet365
Australia 3.40 at 4-6 Skybet
Bantam 4.20 at 8-1 Paddy Power
Prize Exhibit 4.55 at 9-1 Bet365
