The Yorkshire Bookies’ Benefit begins today on the Knavesmire. Small fields in the pattern races offering little appeal to small punters unless they want to take on the favourites and huge fields in the handicaps leaving the punter to guess whether they will come stands’ side, far side or down the middle (a result of the drainage work undertaken a few years back). Plus they have a record of over watering on the Knavesmire although there is no rain forecast for once.
The Juddmonte International is dealt with on
this thread.
In the Great Voltigeur Stakes,
Telescope continues to be priced up on the hype and the reputation rather than the racecourse form, which sets the betting up for those opposing him. Last year Godolphin floored Camelot in the St Leger with Encke. This year they have
Cap O’Rushes taking the same route to Town Moor and Charlie Appleby’s charge looks up to the required standard after his Goodwood victory. My suspicion is that
Foundry is running here simply to give Ballydoyle an idea how good the others are with the St Leger in mind; otherwise the trainer’s son would be travelling across for the ride. The same thought applies to
Nichols Canyon for the yard that has farmed the St Leger lately. The principal concern for punters ought to be where the pace is coming from.
The Acomb Stakes looks like just a watching brief as
First Flight and
The Grey Gatsby could be anything; and in a six runner field there is again no obvious pace although three of the others were ridden close to the pace last time out.
Those that are desperate to be separated from their money can stick a pin in the card and hope to get lucky in the three big field handicaps.