Ebor Festival 2013 - Day Two

Bahamian Heights won more impressively than the margin suggested yesterday, making the 14/1 look generous. It was nice to get the meeting off to a profitable start.

Interests for us in the first three races only this afternoon.

1:55 DBS Premier Yearling Stakes Cl2 6f 

Nezar 2pts win @ 9/1

Ventura Mist 2pts win @ 12/1

Fair Ranger 2pts win @ 16/1

A really good renewal of this sales race. It generally pays to side with stables who are proven in these races and I've gone with three selections win only, from Haggas, Hannon and Tim Easterby, who won this race in 2009.

Nezar has been well backed on the assumption that he is probably Group class, and represents a trainer who targets these races year in, year out. The selection ran really well last time out behind Cricklewood Green, and looked like the sort who still wasn't the finished article. He didn't shirk when he got in a battle and was only beaten on the nod - he is bound to come on for that and it is likely he has been trained for this race.

Venture Mist represents a stable whose juveniles are flying. She looked very progressive earlier this season and her defeat behind Fig Roll can partially be attributed to the fact that she didn't travel well in the dip. She has been off since and it is highly likely this contest has been her aim all season.

Fair Ranger has the assistance of the peerless (around here anyway!) Ryan Moore. His defeat of Brazos at Warwick looks more impressive now than it did then, with that horse winning at Goodwood and running well enough in the Acomb yesterday. Fair Ranger ultimately won that race quite easily, and he is another who has probably been aimed at this ever since. His trainer has a deep pool of juvenile talent and it is interesting this one shows up for the gig and gets Moore in the saddle. 16/1 is far too big.

2:30 Connolly´s Red Mills Lowther Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) Cl1 6f

Kaiulani 1pt each-way AND 1pt win @ 14/1 (Generally guaranteed)

This race seems to lack a star candidate and it is possible to pick holes in the form of just about every contender. Kaiulani gets the nod at a big price for a stable who have won this contest twice in the last ten years. She was well backed when winning easily on debut before running only moderately in the Queen Mary behind Rizeena. However, she did all her best work at the finish that day and the step up to six furlongs is likely to see her in a much better light. I've taken a look at her work on Mick Channon's website and she travelled all over Wee Jean in her latest piece on August 6th, without really being asked to race with her (Wee Jean is rated OR90). She looks a big price here and although there are fitness concerns, they are certainly factored into the odds.

3:05 Clipper Logistics Stakes (Handicap) Cl2 1m

Windhoek 2pts each-way AND 2pts win @ 9/1 (Generally, get guaranteed) - E/W 2nd

Mark Johnston's horses tend not to go well at York, but the quick ground should see his string do better at this meeting and they had a stable 1-3 in the staying handicap yesterday. Windhoek has a strong piece of course form to his name - he ran really well in the Dante, last off the bridle and still travelling well around a furlong out, before his stamina ebbed away and he faded. That form has obviously worked out very well and the selection must be well handicapped here off OR102 with a 3yo weight allowance in his favour. He is drawn in stall 3 and I would suggest a flat track will suit him much better than the likes of Goodwood or Sandown. I actually think this is a very big price and with 16 lining up, he rates cracking each-way value. He looks the bet of the meeting so far.

3:40 Darley Yorkshire Oaks (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares) Cl1 1m4f

No betting interest for us here, but Emirates Queen is by Street Cry and will enjoy the return to fast ground. She may be worth a small interest win and place on the exchanges, where you'll get paid on the first three home for place purposes.

4:20 "Breeders Backing Racing" EBF Galtres Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies & Mares) Cl1 1m4f

Say looks a decent enough price at 9/2 here, and although we won't have an account bet she looks worth an interest at 9/2 for those at the track.

4:55 Eventmasters co uk EBF Fillies´ Stakes (Handicap) Cl2 7f

This looks a minefield, but Nurpur is probably still progressive and with Ryan Moore on board is worth an each-way interest for those looking to get involved at 6/1.

Profit & loss: day: -8.50 / month: +43.00 / year: +176.19