It is proper jump racing weather, and we have top class jump racing too with stars like Cyrname, Delta Work, Presenting Percy, Samcro and Lisnagar Oscar all running today.

There are jump racing cards at Ascot, Down Royal, Wetherby and Ayr, with the last flat racing meeting at Newmarket. There is a twilight meeting at Wolverhampton too.   

2.05 Newmarket – Montrose Fillies’ Stakes Listed Race (1m)

Teodolina for the Richard Hannon yard is definitely worth an each way play here as she will thrive in these conditions. She won on the soft hard held when favourite at Haydock last month over this trip when travelling very comfortably throughout. This is admittedly a tougher contest, yet trip and ground will really suit. Unibet 8/1 each way  

2.40 Newmarket – James Seymour Stakes Listed Race (1m 2f)

The eleven-year-old Air Pilot won this race in 2014 and can take this contest again for the Ralph Beckett team. He was admittedly a bit disappointing at Goodwood on seasonal debut, however he is bound to come on for that run and he won at the Sussex track last season in good style. He will absolutely relish conditions today. Unibet 7/1 each way

2.45 Wetherby – West Yorkshire Handicap Hurdle Grade 2 (3m)

Roksana (nap) simply never fails to run her race and she is bound to be fit for this seasonal appearance. She is getting almost a stone from Lisnagar Oskar and on the only two occasions she’s raced at three miles, she’s been second to Santini and If The Cap Fits, so her form at the trip is rock solid. Unibet 2/1 win

3.05 Ascot – Sodexho Handicap Hurdle (1m 7½f)

Countister for Nicky Henderson has the ability to win a handicap of this nature off this mark and has often gone well fresh in the past – best run to date came after a year’s absence when third in the 2019 County Hurdle. Admittedly was disappointing in her two starts last year, however she is reported to be fit and well in Nicky Henderson’s Unibet racing blog. Unibet 6/1 each way

3.20 Wetherby – Charlie Hall Chase Grade 2 (3m)

This is a cracking renewal of The Charlie Hall and whilst I’m a massive Sam Spinner fan Vinndication is a class act who can have a major season. He panned them in the Sodexo Gold Cup on reappearance last year and ran even better under a welter burden in the Ultima at Cheltenham. Clearly goes well fresh, yard going fine and ground ideal. Unibet 15/8 win

3.40 Ascot – Sodexo Gold Cup (3m)

Militarian often goes off underestimated for these big handicaps, as he did when scoring (on reappearance, as here) at 50-1 over course and distance last year. No fluke about that, ran just as well at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Hasn’t been seen since the Kim Muir and goes well fresh. He is impervious to ground and a good e/w chance off a one-pound higher mark than last year. Unibet 12/1 each way 

The final day of the Ayr Gold Cup Festival with some top-class group racing and the notoriously tricky Silver Cup and Gold Cup. If you can strike here with the Silver Cup and Gold Cup double, you will be doing very well. Interestingly, Graeme Anderson, Clerk of the course says the ground is: ‘good to soft, soft in places and very even right the way across” so no draw bias.

At Newbury, the second day of the Dubai Duty Free Weekend. with the feature the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at 3.25.

Enjoy all the coverage on Racing TV and ITV Racing.

Have a fantastic Saturday.

Cheers

The Wine Tipster  

1.40 Newbury – Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes Group 3 (5f)

Wise Words improved a chunk when fourth at York to Tarboosh and arguably should have won, travelled best and got no run on several occasions. Seems to have been written off as a fluke but is only a four-year-old and might just be he’s improving now. Unibet 8/1 each way

2.30 Ayr – Silver Cup Handicap (6f)

King’s Lynn (nap) is a fascinating handicap debutant for the Andrew Balding team and looks to have been well placed here on a seemingly generous mark of 94. His one start in 2020 when second beaten at odds-on has looked much better since, as the winner Starman won a Listed race at York in great style. Last season King’s Lynn won a twenty-runner contest so is used to the hurly burly of a big field. Providing he shows ground versatility, having only run on good to firm he has a great chance. Unibet 4/1 win

Aberama Gold for trainer Keith Dalgleish won a good nursery at this meeting last year and then took a Listed event (the Rockingham) at York in October. Paid the price for that with inflated handicap mark but coming down in the handicap now and definite signs of improvement on last two starts, particularly from an awful draw at York last time. On this occasion with no forecast draw bias then stall one will be fine and every chance on form. Unibet 18/1 each way

3.25 Newbury – Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes Group 2 (6f)

Rhythm Master Ought to be clear favourite on form, with an emphatic Haydock win on debut and an excellent third in the Group 1 Prix Morny. They have watered the ground so won’t be that quick, which should suit, and is the one to beat. Unibet 11/4 win

3.40 Ayr – QTS Gold Cup Handicap (6f)

Staxton is in much better form than when finishing tenth in this contest in 2019. He has won his last two starts, including the notoriously competitive Great St Wilfrid at Ripon, following a victory at the same course on his previous start. The ground will suit this classy performer, who has dropped the weights and is from the Tim Easterby yard who are on form. Unibet 9/1 each way

Young Fire has to be worth an each way player on his first start over six furlongs. True, he could get taken off his feet over this shorter trip, however he looks well over priced after he turned in a career best at Haydock last time, beating a very progressive sort (that has won again since) with a bit to spare at the finish. Today, importantly, the ground is mainly soft, which will suit and the addition of a visor is interesting too. Unibet 33/1 each way.

The York Ebor Festival is an historic four day racing festival and one of the major race meetings of the flat season. Here, The Wine Tipster gives you a potted history of the racing at York to get you clued up and ready for the 2020 Ebor Festival.

Racing in York

The York Ebor Festival was first established in 1843 and takes its name from the shortened form of Eboracum, the Roman name for York. York racecourse is one of the premier tracks in Europe with the city’s history dating back to Roman and Viking times. Racing is known to have officially taken place in York in 1607 when horses would race on the frozen river Ouse between Micklegate Tower and Skeldergate Postern. However, it was not until 1709 that the first detailed records of a race meeting were recorded at Clifton Ings. Despite building work to this area to prevent flooding, the ground proved too soft and in 1730 racing transferred to Knavesmire where today’s course remains. Since then, horse racing at York Racecourse has changed considerably, and the York Ebor Festival is the highlight of the course’s year.

Yorkshire as a county is renowned for its racing prowess, with nine fabulous racing events across the North East. Go Racing Yorkshire provides all the updates and marketing coverage of the nine racecourses to promote racing throughout the county.

Did you know? York has boasted many distinguished visitors, including Pope John Paul II, who said open-air mass for more than 200,000 pilgrims during his visit to Britain on May 31, 1982. York also hosted a visit from both the Olympic Torch and Paralympic Lantern. Former Olympian Harvey Smith carried the torch down the home straight in partnership with Paddy in front of over 20,000 spectators.

Below are lists of the races featured on each day, and details of the history behind them:

Wednesday 19^th August 2020 – Juddmonte International Day

1:45PM THE SYMPHONY GROUP HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2)  (CL 2) 5f 89y 3YO+ £30,000.00 Rating 0-105

2:15PM THE TATTERSALLS ACOMB STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3)  (CL 1) 7f 2YO £40,000.00 – The event is named after Acomb, an area of York located to the north-west of the racecourse. It was given Listed status in 1998, and promoted to Group 3 level in 2006. It is currently held on the opening day of the four-day Ebor Festival meeting.

2:45PM THE GREAT VOLTIGEUR STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2)  (CL 1) 1m 3f 188y 3YO £75,000.00 – The event is named after Voltigeur, the Yorkshire-trained winner of the Derby and St Leger in 1850. It was established in 1950, and it was initially called the Voltigeur Stakes. The word “Great” was added to the title in 1957.

3:15PM THE JUDDMONTE INTERNATIONAL STAKES (CLASS 1) (British Champions Series) (Group 1)  (CL 1) 1m 2f 56y 3YO+ £275,000.00 – First run in 1972, the Juddmonte International Stakes is York’s richest race and the highlight of the opening day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival. It was independently ranked as the best race in Great Britain by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities last season.

3:45PM THE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2)  (CL 2) 2m 56y 3YO+ £30,000.00 Rating 0-105

4:20PM THE SPRINT FILLIES’ HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2)  (CL 2) 5f 3YO+ £30,000.00 Rating 81-100

4:55PM THE NURSERY HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2)  (CL 2) 6f 2YO £30,000.00

Thursday 20^th August 2020 – Ladies’ Day

1:45PM LOWTHER STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) 6f 2YO £75,000.00 – The present version is named in memory of Hugh Lowther (1857–1944), the 5th Earl of Lonsdale. It was established in 1946, and the inaugural running was won by Southernwood.

2:15PM THE GOFFS UK PREMIER YEARLING STAKES (CLASS 2)  (CL 2) 6f 2YO £180,000.00

2:45PM THE CLIPPER LOGISTICS HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap)  (CL 2) 7f 192y 3YO+ £75,000.00

3:15PM THE DARLEY YORKSHIRE OAKS (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (British Champions Series)  (CL 1) 1m 3f 188y 3YO+ £250,000.00 – The race has been sponsored by Darley Stud since 2006, The event was established in 1849

3:45PM THE BRITISH EBF & SIR HENRY CECIL GALTRES STAKES (CLASS 1) (Listed Race)  (CL 1) 1m 3f 188y 3YO+ £35,500.00

4:20PM THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF NURSERY HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2)  (CL 2) 7f 2YO £30,000.00

4:50PM THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF FILLIES’ HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2)  (CL 2) 7f 3YO+ £30,000.00 Rating 0-105

Friday 21^st August 2020 – Nunthorpe Day

1:45PM HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2)  (CL 2) 1m 3f 188y 3YO+ £30,000.00 Rating 0-105

2:15PM THE WEATHERBYS HAMILTON LONSDALE CUP STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (British Champions Series)  (CL 1) 2m 56y 3YO+ £100,000.00 – The event used to be called the Lonsdale Stakes, and for a period its original distance was 1 mile, 7 furlongs and 198 yards (1.9875 miles or 3198m). It was classed as a Listed race for several years, and it was promoted to Group 3 level in 1998. The race was renamed the Lonsdale Cup and given Group 2 status in 2004. It was extended by 78 yards in 2007 to its current distance.

2:45PM THE AL BASTI EQUIWORLD DUBAI GIMCRACK STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2)  (CL 1) 6f 2YO £100,000.00 – The event is named after Gimcrack, a successful racehorse in the 18th century. Gimcrack won twenty-seven times in a career of thirty-six races, but none of his victories were achieved at York. The Gimcrack Stakes was established in 1846, and it was originally open to horses of either gender. It was restricted to male horses in 1987.

3:15PM THE COOLMORE NUNTHORPE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (British Champions Series)  (CL 1) 5f 2YO+ £250,000.00 – The event is named after Nunthorpe, an area of York. The first version, a low-grade selling race, was established in 1903. The present version began in 1922, and the inaugural running was won by Two Step.

3:45PM THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF CONVIVIAL MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 2) (PLUS 10 RACE)  (CL 2) 7f 2YO £30,000.00

4:20PM THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF FILLIES’ HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2)  (CL 2) 1m 2f 56y 3YO+ £30,000.00 Rating 81-100

4:50PM THE NATIONWIDE ACCIDENT REPAIR SERVICES HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2)  (CL 2) 7f 192y 3YO £30,000.00 Rating 0-105

Saturday 22^nd August 2020 – Ebor Day

1:50PM THE STRENSALL STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3)  (CL 1) 1m 177y 3YO+ £50,000.00 – The event is named after Strensall, a village located several miles to the north of York. It was formerly restricted to fillies, and it used to be contested over 7 furlongs. For a period it was classed at Listed level, and it was usually staged in early September.

2:25PM MELROSE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap)  (CL 2) 1m 5f 188y 3YO £65,000.00 Rating 0-105

3:00PM CITY OF YORK STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2)  (CL 1) 7f 3YO+ £105,000.00

3:35PM EBOR HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap)  (CL 2) 1m 5f 188y 4YO+ £250,000.00 – The event was first run in 1843, and it was originally known as the Great Ebor Handicap. The race was introduced by John Orton, a newly appointed Clerk of the Course at York. It was initially contested over 2 miles, but its distance was later cut by 2 furlongs. The race is now held on the final day of York’s four-day Ebor Festival meeting. It is currently the most valuable flat handicap in Europe. The prize money was increased to £500,000 from the 2018 running and then to £1,000,000 from 2019, making it the first British handicap race worth £1,000,000. In connection with the prize money increase three-year-olds were excluded from the race from the 2019 running.

4:10PM THE JULIA GRAVES ROSES STAKES (CLASS 1) (Listed Race)  (CL 1) 5f 2YO £30,000.00

4:40PM HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2)  (CL 2) 1m 2f 56y 3YO+ £30,000.00 Rating 0-105

5:10PM APPRENTICE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2)  (CL 2) 5f 3YO £30,000.00 Rating 0-105

Did you know? York’s highest attendance for a race meeting was recorded in 1851, when a crowd estimated at 150,000 saw The Flying Dutchman, winner of the Derby and St Leger in 1849, beat Voltigeur, who took both races the following year, in the so-called Great Match. The modern era record is the 42,586 who attended one July Saturday in 2010.

The Wine Tipster hopes you enjoy the York Ebor Festival #Eborathome this year, and looks forward to providing you with tips and coverage throughout the festival. Follow him on Social Media and his Unibet Racing Blog to keep up with him! Cheers! To get The Wine Tipster’s latest blog posts straight to your inbox, subscribe here.

One of the highlights of the British flat racing calendar and the summer season, The Qatar Goodwood Festival, or Glorious Goodwood, is an exceptional meeting of horse racing talent and a wonderful five days of events and hospitality. With the current restrictions, racing will primarily be behind closed doors, and Goodwood are encouraging punters to celebrate #GloriousAtHome! Join The Wine Tipster in getting ready for this unforgettable racing event with his range of tips and insider information.

#GloriousAtHome

For most of the festival’s punters, watching and celebrating from home will be the order of the day, and luckily The Wine Tipster has a range of ways to enjoy from the comfort of your home. The races will be covered on ITV and Racing TV and The Wine Tipster will be active across his Social Media and Unibet Racing Blog to engage with audiences about the festival.

 

 

The Glorious Five are the ones to watch this year. Stradivarius will be racing in Tuesday’s Qatar Goodwood Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series) 2m 3y+ £500,000, Kameko and Siskin in Wednesday’s Qatar Sussex Stakes (Group 1) (BCS) 1m 3y+ £1,000,000, Deirdre in Thursday’s Qatar Nassau Stakes (Group 1) 1m 1f 197y 3y+ f&m £600,000, and Battaash in Friday’s King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2) 5f 3y+ £300,000.

 

 

 

 

 

Hampers

As a drinks specialist, The Wine Tipster is particularly excited about the Glorious Goodwood Hampers on sale to make celebrating the races even easier and more luxurious. Choose one of three hampers to be delivered for a day of the festival – the last day to order being Saturday 25th July to arrive in time for the fifth day of the races. Each wicker hamper, tied with a Goodwood ribbon, is filled with five-courses of delicious local and artisan foods from award-winning British producers, as well as the option to choose a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, Gusbourne English Sparkling Wine or Mirabeau Rosé. See below for a list of menus to choose from.

 

 

 

 

 

I’m looking forward to the Northumberland Plate Handicap at Newcastle as I’m a massive fan of these staying Handicaps and this year’s renewal is certainly competitive. I’m also interested to see Aloe Vera make her return in the 3.00 at Newcastle as I think she could have a very successful 2020.

English Wine Week finishes tomorrow and there is no doubt that Wines of Great Britain have done an excellent job here for all producers as there has been so much engagement here.

I have a bottle of Coates & Seely Brut Reserve NV from the hills of Hampshire chilling on ice to enjoy after racing. Hopefully, celebrating a winner or two!

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

1.50 Newcastle – Chipchase Stakes (Group 3) 6f   

With Brando disappointing once too often these days, have a look at Kevin Ryan’s other good sprinter, Major Jumbo, here. He’s got the potential plot draw in stall 12, which is going to enable him to grab the stands rail, often favoured, and with no other potential pacemaker he can set his own fractions. Could be hard to pass if so. Unibet 9/2 win

2.40 Newmarket – Criterion Stakes (Group 3) 7f

Limato is the class act but his record after a long break isn’t great, and he may need it. Yafta for the Richard Hannon team keeps threatening to win one of these and his close fifth behind Space Blues at Haydock earlier in the month looks all the better after he won easily in France On Thursday. Drawn next to likely pacemaker Vale Of Kent, should have his chance late. Unibet 9/1 each way

3.00 Newcastle – Exchange Hoppings Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3) 1m 2f

Aloe Vera (nap) was pulled out at Royal Ascot because of the testing conditions on the Thursday. She hasn’t been seen for over a year, since winning a Listed contest at Goodwood on her second start, having won on debut. She looked a very exciting prospect for the Ralph Beckett team, and I have been waiting for her return to action. Unibet 9/4 win

3.35 Northumberland Plate (Handicap) 2m ½f

Cosmelli (Gay Kelleway) clearly runs well at Newcastle as he won the Plate consolation race in 2018 and no arguing his chance from a handicapping point of view, 8lb lower than when a 2½l fifth in the race last year. In good form over trips too short since return and ought to be thereabouts. Unibet 11/1 each way (Unibet are paying five places)

Anyonecanhaveitall for Mark Johnston bumped into a well-handicapped improver in the shape of Oleg at Pontefract, the winner coming from an impossible position to nail him on the post. I watched this race at the time and the first two finished four lengths clear and the form looks very solid. He has had 4 lengths win and a neck second in two runs at Newcastle so clearly handles the track. Unibet 16/1 each way (Unibet are paying five places)

7.15 Curragh – Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1) 1m 4f

Fiscal Rules for Jim Bolger was a staying-on fifth in the Irish 2000 but this step up in trip is going to make a difference – his half-sister Cimeara needs 1 mile four furlongs as a minimum, and the dam was a 12f horse. The fact he was thrown into the 2000 after just one run in a maiden shows trainer clearly thinks plenty of him. Expect a big step forward here. Unibet 13/2 each way

On Saturday at a minute past 4pm we heard the news that we had started to doubt, that racing would recommence for the first time since March behind closed doors at Newcastle. The BHA have done a really good job in reassuring all interested parties with an excellent briefing document that demonstrates horse racing has covered all the minute detail to ensure that all protocols will be effectively followed behind closed doors, ensuring horse racing continues safely.

At Newmarket the first two classics take place with the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday and the 1,000 Guineas on Sunday, which will be the climax of their four day card.

At Deauville this afternoon they have their 2000 and 1000 Guineas Classics, with two excellent fields here. Check out my selections below on an exciting day. Cheers!

2.50 Deauville 2000 Guineas Emirates Poule d’Essal des Poulains (Group 1) 1m

The race seems to revolve around whether Victor Ludorum is the horse he was last year, and a defeat at prohibitive odds on his return at Longchamp hardly boosted his claims here. However, in retrospect, plenty of Andre Fabre’s needed the run first time out this year, and it would be foolish to write him off on the back of one run. Nevertheless, odds of 13-8 hardly set your reaching for your wallet.

It seems somewhat strange that the winners of the trial races for this, The Summit and Shinning Ocean, can be backed at 9-1 and 22-1 respectively. The Summit made all in the Prix de Fontainebleu, beating Ecrivain and Victor Ludorum in the process, but Longchamp was very much favouring front runners at that time, and others will surely be more aware of those tactics here. However, whilst Shinning Ocean has to step up, he looks sure to progress and is a big price.

Ecrivain is very interesting. He looked in need of the run before Longchamp, from the pictures we saw anyway, and ran well in the circumstances, picking up very well once extracting himself from a bit of traffic. The way he hit the line running suggested he would benefit greatly from the experience, and a bit of drying ground wouldn’t bother him.

Reshabar sprang a major surprise when taking care of Celestin in Prix du Belvedere, but that form looks a little shaky, and a bigger threat might be Alson, second to Victor Ludorum on Arc day last year. The worry would be a lack of a run, but he cannot be discounted either.

Unibet Ecrivain 3/1 win

Unibet Shinning Ocean 22/1 each way

 

3.25 Deauville 1,000 Guineas Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Group 1) 1m

Tropbeau (nap) brings strong credentials to the table here, particularly as she was one of the few Fabre runners to perform well in the week racing was finally restarted in France. Although her winning margin was only half a length over Dream And Do in the Prix de la Grotte, she responded well to a reminder and found plenty for pressure. She gave the impression she had a lot left in the tank, and will be hard to beat if in the same form.

Simeen’s win over Golden Crown at Chantilly was a little less impressive, but she remains unbeaten and may have more to come.

Dream And Do ought to run her race again, but whether she can find that bit extra to reverse form with Tropbeau has to be open to question, and Tickle Me Green, just behind the pair of them in third in the Grotte, looks better each-way value. That was her first start for Fabre and she may well have needed the run. It’s not hard to see here reversing form with Dream And Do, and for those looking for something at a bigger price than the favourite, she may be the one.

Unibet Tropbeau (nap) 6/4 win

Unibet Tickle Me Green 13/2 each way

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