York Ebor Day 1 Tips: 7/1 Juddmonte tip tops Wednesday’s trio

York's Ebor Festival gets underway on Wednesday with a seven-race card running from 13:50-17:20 and the highlight of the afternoon - and arguably the entire four-day meeting - is the Juddmonte International.

One of my York Ebor Day 1 tips goes in the prestigious contest and is available at 7/1 at time of publication.

13:50 - Kylian e/w @ 14/1

The first of Today's Horse Races at York on Wednesday is a 22-runner handicap over an extended five furlongs. A nice and straightforward start to the Ebor Festival, then...

I usually steer clear of such races, for I find them devilishly tricky, but every so often there's something that catches my attention - and that's KYLIAN here.

The three-year-old son of Invincible Spirit was in the main a classy juvenile for Karl Burke, but his form petered out towards the end of the year and connections decided a change of scenery was in order, moving him to Archie Watson's yard.

That didn't bring about immediate improvement and after a handful of underwhelming runs he was gelded in July, a month prior to something of a return to form in the Shegar Cup Dash at Ascot.

Kylian was runner-up in Berkshire to the reopposing Holkham Bay, who is 10lbs worse for that 2¾ victory. It was the selection's best run for a long time and under the circumstances (first run after his operation), there's cause to be optimistic that more is to come.

Off an unchanged mark of 94, he must have every chance of reversing the form with the aforementioned William Knight inmate, who is exactly half the price at time of publication.

This is a Super Extra Place Race, with 6 places on offer instead of four at 1/5 the odds for all each-way bets.

15:00 - King's Gambit @ 2/1

Just over an hour later is the Great Voltigeur - a Group 2 over 1m4f for three-year-olds.

Aidan O'Brien's Los Angeles, one of the antepost favourites for the Betfred St Leger, is sure to prove popular, but I suspect he'll struggle to beat KING'S GAMBIT under the circumstances.

The latter - a son of Saxon Warrior trained by Harry Charlton and ridden by William Buick - receives five pounds from his market rival and although he is a Group 1 winner, there's actually not much separating the pair on form.

You could easily argue that King's Gambit should be unbeaten this term, for after his emphatic success in a handicap off a mark of 93 on his reappearance he was a bitterly unlucky loser in the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot - and nothing went right for him in the York Stakes either.

Specifically, it was a lack of pace that caught the selection out on the Knavesmire last month. That shouldn't be an issue this time, due to the presence of O'Brien's Euphoric - surely a pacemaker for his more-fancied pair.

I think this trip, on good to firm ground, with at least a decent pace on should be perfect for King's Gambit, while the O'Brien duo may be left wanting further.

15:35 - Ambiente Friendly @ 15/2

Last but certainly not least, it's the Juddmonte - and what a renewal we have in store. A record field of 13 go to post for the Group 1 over 1m2½f, with the much-touted City Of Troy a relatively warm order.

The latest superstar off the Ballydoyle conveyor belt, who has already claimed the Betfred Derby and Eclipse this season, is clearly an exceptionally-talented racehorse, but he's far from perfect and the type I like to take on.

French raiders Calandagan and Zarakem are respected and Ralph Beckett's Bluestocking is in the form of her life, but my vote goes to AMBIENTE FRIENDLY.

James Fanshawe's Gleneagles colt surprised many when bolting up at 8/1 in the Listed Derby trial at Lingfield back in May, before finishing runner-up in the main event at Epsom and a close third in the Irish equivalent last time out.

He has to make up nearly three lengths with City Of Troy on that Betfred Derby run, which isn't going to be easy, but with the drop in trip and better ground sure to suit, it's well worth chancing at current prices.

Remember, Ambiente Friendly was travelling all over his rivals in both races before getting outstayed at the business end. He's blessed with plenty of speed and that could be the key difference in this mouth-watering contest.

Betfred will return your stake (up to £10) as a free bet if your selection in the 15:35 finishes 2nd.

Super Lucky Bonus: Place a Lucky 15, 31 or 63 at York this week & get up to a 50% CASH BONUS if you win!

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