Ginger Joe - Betting Tips for the 2024 York Ebor Meeting - Day 1

The York Ebor meeting gets under way

The York Ebor meeting begins on Wednesday and we have four days of excellent racing to look forward to. I have two fancies for Day 1, both with very strong chances and I expect a really big effort from this pair. The first runs in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes where there is a nice line up of two-year-olds and this is where you will find my NAP bet of the day.

Selection number two comes in the Day 1 highlight race - the Group 1 Juddmonte Stakes - where English Derby winner City Of Troy is the short-priced favourite. However, I’m going to take him on with a smart-looking improver who is far better value at a decent each way price. Just the two selections for the opening day, but as we move on through the week I will have plenty more betting tips for you.

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14:45 - Acomb Stakes (Group 3) 7f - Ruling Court @ 11/10 (NAP)

First up we have the Group 3 Acomb Stakes over seven furlongs, which looks to be a two-horse race as far as the betting is concerned. The Lion In Winter represents Ballydoyle as the 15/8 second favourite, and he holds some strong credentials. He won by a couple of lengths on debut at the Curragh over this distance and looks likely to improve for the experience. Interestingly, he wasn’t well-fancied that day as a Ballydoyle second string, and I can’t be sure that he can repeat the performance.

That makes Ruling Court the one to side with here. He is a son of Justify, who cost a cool 2.3 million at the Breeze Up sales. He was hyped up long before his debut, where he absolutely bolted up to win in very smart fashion and looks open to plenty more. Judging from the way he ran that day, he already seemed to know what his job was and I believe he will walk all over the rest of this field. He did get a little sweaty before the race, and was a tad slow getting away, but before three furlongs out, he was well in command. He represents powerful connections here and has a huge amount of potential, I find it hard to see him getting beaten in this race.

15:35 - Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) 1m 2f - Calandagan @ 13/2 (EW)

The highlight race of the day is the Juddmonte International and all eyes will be on City Of Troy. He has been dubbed as the ‘best ever’ by Ballydoyle trainer Aiden O’Brien. That may well be the case, and he did win the English Derby this year, but he seems a little bit quirky to me and I think he could be worth taking on. Ambiente Friendly finished behind him in the Derby and should also get a fair toe in this race. The York course and the slight drop in trip, could work in his favour and we should see him at his best here.

However, I’m a big fan of Calandagan who is rapidly on the up. He bolted up last time out in the King Edward Stakes at Ascot, and that was a really impressive win. He travelled extremely well for the entire race and when asked to go on, he found a wicked turn of foot, powering across the line. I didn’t back him that day, as his previous form had all been on soft ground, but he had no issues on the firm surface, and if anything, was even more impressive for it. I know City Of Troy is a seriously talented horse, but at even money I want to take him on - I think there is far more value to be had by backing Calandagan each way.

Betting tips for Day 1 of the York Ebor meeting 👇

• 14:25 - Ruling Court @ 11/10 (NAP)
• 15:35 - Calandagan @ 13/2 (EW)

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