Horse Racing Tips: Ebor Festival takes centre stage

There’s a mix of Flat and National Hunt action on offer across the UK and Ireland on Wednesday but Day 1 of the Ebor Festival certainly takes centre stage.

First off is York, which is swiftly followed by Carlisle, whilst Worcester, Sligo and Kempton provide the evening entertainment. We have three strong fancies to follow for our horse racing tips for Wednesday and amongst them is a proven Group 1 performer which has been unfairly overlooked in the feature race of the day.

Today’s Horse Races

13:50 York – Copper Knight @ 20/1

Ten-year-old COPPER KNIGHT has been around the block a fair few times and certainly knows his way around York. Tim Easterby’s veteran has raced here 29 times and has seven course victories to his name.

He was only beaten by a length when fifth in this race last year and now finds himself on a 2lb lower mark this time around. This horse was a good winner off a 4lb lower mark at Chester back in June and he clearly hasn’t forgotten how to win.

Whilst he may not be as good as he once was, it would be no surprise if he has at least one more course victory up his sleeve.

15:00 York – Illinois @ 5/1

Often viewed as a trial for the St Leger at Doncaster in September, the Great Voltigeur Stakes is a prestigious Group 2. Aidan O’Brien won the race in 2023 with Continuous, who went on to win the Leger, and has three of the six runners here.

Irish Derby hero Los Angeles heads the market but stablemate ILLINOIS looks well set to give him a run for his money. He arrived on the scene with an excellent performance in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot. The son of Galileo saw the trip out well, despite racing keenly in the early stages.

Second in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp when last seen, he was perhaps a little short on gears over 1m4f at that level. He’s up against staying types here however and is therefore less likely to get outpaced at a key stage.

It’s easy to see why Los Angeles is the favourite here but Illinois could be the play at the prices and he should give a good account of himself.

15:35 York – Bluestocking @ 17/2

The big race of the day is the Group 1 Juddmonte International, which has attracted a field of 12. Aidan O’Brien’s Derby winner City Of Troy heads the market and rightfully so but he looks worth taking on at the prices.

Ralph Beckett runs BLUESTOCKING and the four-year-old has taken her form to a new level this season. She showed some really good form as a three-year-old, despite failing to win last season. Half-a-length behind Savethelastdance in the Irish Oaks, she was also a neck away from winning at Ascot on Champions Day.

This season has been a great success and she began the campaign with a six-length demolition of Free Wind in the Middleton Stakes over course and distance in May. Beckett’s filly also claimed a first Group 1 success in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh in June.

It was a cracking effort when second in the King George over 1m4f last time out but this trip suits better and she looks more than a little overpriced here. There is no doubt she has the ability to come out on top here and a big run is anticipated.

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