Architect Tips' four best bets for the opening day of the Ebor Festival at York.
13:50 York
The opener is going to be run at some pace and I’m banking on a couple with course form to come to the forte.
JORDAN ELECTRICS (best price 10/1) ran a huge race when runner-up in this race last year, keeping on strongly to only be beaten by three parts of a length behind Jm Jungle.
He might have actually won the race had he not been forced to switch left when building ahead of steam. The winner was receiving nearly a stone in weight, and was last seen winning the Group 2 Qatar King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Therefore, it was a brilliant effort from Jim Goldie’s charge last year and surely if he can repeat that performance this time, I see no reason why he won’t be bang in contention once more.
He’s had a much lighter campaign this time and can find himself a pound lower. I really like his credentials from an each-way stance, especially with five places widely available.
THE MAN (best price 7/1) absolutely blew his rivals away when storming to victory over C&D last time out, looking like a horse way ahead of the assessor, and an 8lb rise might not be enough should he produce something similar in this grade.
This youngster was pricked into the deep end following a successful debut, as he contested pattern-class events at Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and at this meeting last season.
He wasn’t beaten that far in the latter of those and looked so good on his seasonal/handicap debut, cruising past a chunk of rivals to get to the front before quickening clear to score by over two lengths eased down.
He’s back up in grade, but on the back of that career-best performance and with so much more to come, Richard Spencer appears to have another good sprinter on his hands. Hopefully he can create another deep impression.
16:45 York
The speedy RUBY’S PROFIT (best price 8/1) hasn’t done much wrong this year and ran another good race when third at Glorious Goodwood last time out in spite of the ground being slower than ideal.
She has so much natural pace in her inventory and the way Kieran Shoemark has been riding in the last few months, I’m hoping he can judge the fractions on her to perfection.
This filly is back up in class, but her early speed should see her right on the front end. If she can consume enough for later on, I think it will be hard to keep her out of the frame.
17:20 York
Nursery events aren’t normally my cup of tea but UTMOST RESPECT (best price 7/1) adapted to this course very well when an unlucky second here on debut before running well to finish seventh in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot.
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He subsequently made a bit of heavy weather of opening his account in a rubbish race at Hamilton, but did what he needed to and that will have boosted his confidence.
This step up to six furlongs should be right up his alley and he’s Oisin Orr’s only ride on the card, who I rate. With course form in the book, I’m optimistic this Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes entry will make an impact.
