Andy Holding has previewed next week’s Juddmonte International.
Juddmonte International
The Juddmonte International is the showpiece race on Day 1 of York’s Ebor meeting and City Of Troy looks most likely take his chance according to recent press clippings.
Should he do so, one of this Flat season’s poster boys will be a warm order to follow up victories in the Derby and Eclipse respectively and there will be many who will view the current 4-6 available for Aidan O’Brien’s inmate as value.
Not being one of those punters, the safer/wiser option, therefore, might be to look towards something from an each-way perspective and ALFLAILA (tipped at 10-1) falls neatly into that category.
One of the key factors for punters to concentrate on at this meeting is to look towards those with previous experience on the Knavesmire and Owen Burrows’ inmate has course form in abundance.
Winner of The Strensall Stakes at this meeting two years ago, the son of Dark Angel replicated that victory at a higher level on his return visit last season and he went on to make it three wins from four starts at the Yorkshire track by winning the same race for the second year in succession.
In a race noted for its tactical nature, being held up off a painfully slow gallop wouldn’t have normally suited but to his great credit, he overcame adversity to lower the colours of three high class opponents, showing his trademark turn of foot late on.
Although yet to win at Group 1 level, there have been mitigating circumstances on his two previous attempts and given he is likely to end up being the only previous C&D winner in the field come the day, he makes plenty of sense as an alternative to the favourite at this stage.
