Lucky 15 Tips: Bet on Ryan Moore on Day 1 of York’s Ebor Festival

All eyes are on York for today’s Lucky 15 tips, with day one of the Ebor Festival taking place on the Knavesmire. Ryan Moore has three rides, and they feature a competitive opening handicap where Michael Appleby’s improver can score at a decent price.

Horse Racing Odds

13:50 York - Shagraan @ 15/2

First up at York is the Symphony Group Handicap (13:50) run over five furlongs with a maximum of 22 runners set to go to post. Favourite is the David and Nicola Barron-trained Pilgrim, a course winner who has succeeded on his last two starts. Third here over course and distance in May, he’s since hosed up at Musselburgh before landing the valuable handicap at Royal Ascot.

He’s up 19lbs since his last trip to the Knavesmire, and I like the look of a gelding who’s re-opposing, having finished fifth behind the favourite at Ascot.

Shagraan, trained by Michael Appleby, was beaten two-and-a-quarter lengths that day, giving away a couple of pounds to the winner. He’s on the up, having won a handicap at Goodwood last time out off a mark of 93. He’s been put up five pounds here but still has a little in hand on the favourite, plus a low draw. He’s also been entered into a Group 1 next month, which suggests connections think he can improve.

He’s our first leg of the Lucky 15 at odds of 15/2 (an implied 11.8% chance) at the time of writing. 

14:25 York - Lion In Winter @ 15/8

The next three races of the day, I’m hoping, will be the Ryan Moore show. The jockey rides The Lion In Winter, whom I’m taking to beat short-priced favourite Ruling Count in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes.

The two-year-old won his Maiden in fine style at the Curragh last month, in the process beating well-fancied stablemate Ides Of March, who has gone on to win well since. He had over two furlongs to spare that day and could have lots more on offer for his powerful connections and give trainer Aiden O’Brien a rare win in this race.

Favourite Ruling Court is a short price for a 2-y-o at 6/5, so I’m pulling for The Lion In Winter as the second leg of my York Lucky 15 bet at odds of 15/8 with Betfred.

15:00 York - Los Angeles @ 5/4

The Group action comes thick and fast at 15:00, with the Great Voltigeur Stakes, where I’m taking favourite Los Angeles to overpower his rivals. He’s improved every time he’s raced in five starts. He finished third in the Derby at Epsom in June before winning the Irish Derby last time out, turning the tables on Ambiente Friendly, who had beaten him at Epsom.

He’s giving weight away all around here, and the Harry Charlton-trained King’s Gambit looks like being his closest rival at the form.

Ryan Moore is once again in the plate for Aiden O’Brien, and at 5/4, he’s the third leg in our Lucky 15.

Today’s Horse Races

15:35 York - City Of Troy @ 6/5

Last up is the big race of the day at York, the Group 1 Juddmonte Stakes, where Moore and O’Brien once again combine for the short-priced favourite.

If I’m a backer of Los Angeles, I must have Derby winner City Of Troy onside here. The Champions 2-y-o last season backed up that Derby win with Group 1 success in the Eclipse. He’s had the measure of Ambiente Friendly on both occasions and should be suited by conditions and the straight galloping track of the Knavesmire on Wednesday.

Top-rated and highly talented, City Of Troy can give O’Brien a record seventh win in the race. At 6/5, the final leg of the Lucky 15 pays £420.04 if all four horses win when having a £1 bet (total stake £15).

The odds can fluctuate between publishing our pieces and race time, if you’re a backer, good luck!!

Lucky 15 tips from Betfred Insights.