Ebor Festival: an early tip for each day at York

Agnes World (July Cup) and Deirdre (Nassau Stakes) have given Japan Group One glory in Britain this century, but they have yet to strike in the Juddmonte International, with Durezza no better than fifth last year. 

They look to have a serious contender next week, though, courtesy of Danon Decile.

The Shogo Yasuda-trained four-year-old, who has been preparing for Wednesday’s race in Newmarket, already has the form in the book to rival the market leaders in the prestigious £1.25m contest and is available at a more generous 4-1 with several firms.

Granted, his best form is over further than this; he was last seen defeating this year’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes hero Calandagan by a length and a quarter in the Dubai Sheema Classic over a mile and a half, but he has not yet been given a Group One assignment over an extended mile and a quarter and there is nothing to suggest he won’t handle more of a speed test.

The ground should certainly be to his liking, and he can continue Japan's extraordinary recent record in the world’s top middle-distance races.

There are not many trainers that love a winner at York’s Ebor Festival as much as William Haggas and he looks to have a solid chance of adding to his impressive tally at the track courtesy of Bullet Point in Thursday’s competitive Heritage Handicap over a mile.

The son of Advertise has run three fine races this year. Firstly, when easily landing a competitive handicap at Newmarket’s Craven meeting; secondly, when finishing second to My Cloud in the Royal Hunt Cup from stall two and ‘winning’ his group on the far side; and thirdly, when finishing second again to Fearnot in another mile handicap at Ascot last month.

He made the running when last seen, hardly the place to be in most races on the straight course at Ascot, yet was only ran down late on and should have a huge chance of going one better here off the same mark.

It is probably fair to say that he has progressed with every run of his career so far and 7-1 may underestimate him given he will not need to find as much improvement as many in order to score.

Charlie Appleby looks to have another smart juvenile on his hands courtesy of Wise Approach.

Bought for 1,000,000gns at the Tattersalls Book 1 Yearling Sale last year, he made good on his reputation when winning at the first attempt and then finished a creditable fourth under a penalty on the Knavesmire when stepped up to 6f for his second start a fortnight later.

He then found only Charles Darwin too good in the Norfolk Stakes before running out the four-length winner of the Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury, proving his stamina over this trip.

The son of Mehmas could not have been more impressive with that victory and, with the news that Coppull will instead be taking in the Prix Morny at Deauville, and others needing to improve or having questions to answer regarding the trip, the 2-1 on offer with William Hill may represent some value.

Maranoa Charlie was beaten just a short neck in the Group One Prix Jean Prat last month and looks tailor made for this test. He finished narrowly ahead of both The Lion In Winter and Shadow Of Light at Deauville and may get first run on his rivals again at York.

There are plenty of participation doubts surrounding the current market leaders in this race, but the City Of York is Maranoa Charlie’s only entry, which is unsurprising given he is now locally owned by the racing entity of the late Reg Bond.

I would have no ground concerns for him either and this has been his target for some time, so 5-1 looks very fair.