York best bets: Ambiente Friendly can run City Of Troy close in potential Juddmonte Stakes classic
Mishriff and David Egan win the Juddmonte International Stakes at York
The feature race of the opening day of York’s Ebor meeting sees 13 top-class performers compete for the richest purse of the day in what promises to be a mouthwatering Juddmonte Stakes.
15:35 York: Juddmonte International Stakes (1 mile 2 furlongs 56 yards)
It’s no surprise to see City Of Troy heading the early market after bouncing back from his season debut blip in the 2000 Guineas to land the Epsom Derby and the Coral-Eclipse in impressive style.
The Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore charge looks to be the to beat here, but one that could run him closer than any is Ambiente Friendly, who finished a couple of lengths behind his rival in the Derby, and then finished closer to the winner (Los Angeles), albeit in third place, in the Irish version when last seen in late June.
Having twice come close over a mile and a half, James Fanshawe’s three-year-old colt might just be better suited by this shorter 10-furlong trip, and although there are plenty of horses with similar claims in this classy line-up, we could well see Robert Havlin steering Ambiente Friendly into the mix again here.
Best Bet: Ambiente Friendly in the 15:35 at York
- Tip advised by HorseForaCourse on Tipstrr
With no less than 10 of the 13 starters carrying a double-digit price, there appears to be some each-way value to be found, should any of the three principals fail to deliver.
Bluestocking and Alflaila have both enjoyed course-and-distance success this summer, but catching the eye at tasty odds is French raider Zarakem.
French horses have a reputation for failing to live up to their hype on English tracks, but this four-year-old bucked that trend when coming within three quarters of a length of causing a 33/1 upset behind short-priced Auguste Rodin in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out.
After landing a five-timer on French soil last summer and revisiting the winner’s enclosure at Longchamp in April, Zarakem might need one or more of the market leaders to falter, but if he can replicate his Ascot form, then he should give punters a decent run for their each-way money
Each-way punt: Zarakem in the 15:35 at York
- Tip advised by ARC Ratings on Tipstrr
