Juvenile Watch: Ross Millar's tips for York on day one and two

The Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York takes centre stage this week, with plenty of Group action for the two-year-olds, as well as some competitive nursery handicaps. Here are my thoughts for the first two days. Best of luck, and don't forget to watch every race live on Racing TV.

Race:Tattersalls Acomb Stakes - 2.25pm

Selection: Cogitate.

Vandeek’s win in the Group One Prix Morny on Sunday delivered a healthy boost to the form of Ballymount Boy, so it’s no surprise to see him as favourite.

However, that second place, behind Vandeek in the Richmond Stakes, was achieved on desperately soft ground. He won’t get that here and, as a result, he’s opposable, for all that the step up to seven furlongs is a positive for him.

Cogitate was ‘star of the week’ in my Juvenile Watch column after his debut win at Newbury. Despite racing keenly in the early stages, he was still able to travel powerfully plus was the last off the bridle. He showed a smart turn of foot there, and won with ease.

The form of that race did take a small knock when the runner-up, Boiling Point, was a beaten favourite on his next start, though any real concern is dispelled given the winner of that race, King’s Gambit, was a well-beaten eighth behind Cogitate at Newbury.

William Buick is a noticeable jockey booking and I expect Cogitate to defeat the favourite by virtue of a superior turn of foot on this forecast better ground.

Race:Sky Bet Nursery - 5.20pm.

Selection: Blue Prince.

On his penultimate start, Blue Prince showed improved form, and finished strongly, to finish second when stepping up to six furlongs.

He built on that promise on his next start, and handicap debut, over course and distance where he demolished a small field. Despite the lack of runners, he was still required to wait for a run as Cam Hardie was forced to switch him to avoid weakening rivals, so the form of that victory can be marked up.

The booking of the excellent Tom Marquand can only be viewed as a positive, and while a 9lb higher mark clearly demands more, I fancy him to emulate his dam, Zip Along, who also won her first two handicap starts for the same owner and trainer combination.

Race:Sky Bet Lowther Stakes - 1.50pm.

Selection: Relief Rally.

I’ve been a supporter of this filly in all her starts, so it won’t surprise you to hear that I absolutely love her – though memories of the Queen Mary, where she was in front before and after the post, but not at it, do still sting!

She was well placed by connections to scoop a valuable sales race last time out where conditions of the race meant she was considerably well in at the weights. That said, her performance was mesmerising as she travelled with ease before shooting clear in the closing stages.

Again, it was the final furlong of the five-furlong trip that was her strongest, as it has been in all four starts. This trait has me convinced that she can improve on her already high-class form now faced with an extra furlong.

Given she is already in possession of the strongest form, and the fact she’s open to yet more progression, she’s a confident selection for a trainer who loves to target this meeting.

Race:Or8wellness EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap - 4.45pm.

Selection: Blue Collar.

This son of Starspangledbanner caught my eye on his latest start where he was dropped back to six furlongs after racing over this trip of seven furlongs on his first two starts.

Racing at a more brisk pace seemed to sharpen him up and he looked much more organised plus travelled sweetly. A lack of room required him to change course multiple times in the closing stages, but he still finished to good effect to end up a never-nearer fourth.

He now enters handicaps off a moderate rating of 77. He will have learned plenty from his last start and can put it to good use on this return to seven furlongs.