Get all of our tips and picks for the opening day of the 2023 York Ebor Festival coming your way on 23 August 2023.
YORK EBOR FESTIVAL – DAY 1
Race 3 – CASTLE WAY 7/2
CASTLE WAY is the pick in what appears to be a tricky renewal of the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes.
A case can be made for any of the five runners, but preference is for Charlie Appleby’s charge following his narrow Bahrain Trophy success at Newmarket last time out.
Having his first start since winning the Listed Newmarket Stakes at the Guineas meeting in May, Castle Way had to dig deep to repel the challenge of Tower Of London, holding on by a head at the line over a mile and five furlongs.
He does not look an out-and-out stayer while market leader Gregory triumphed over 14 furlongs at Royal Ascot, so the Almanzor colt might just be too sharp over this mile-and-a-half trip.
Race 4 – PADDINGTON 5/10
PADDINGTON can keep the Group One bandwagon rolling with victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old has been a force of nature this term, leaving a low-key juvenile campaign behind him with six consecutive victories – the last four all being at the highest level.
The Siyouni colt has shown he is equally as capable from a mile to 10 furlongs in the process, easily switching between the two distances to supplement his Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes wins with Eclipse glory, before dropping back to a a mile to land the Sussex Stakes.
Proven on heavy to good ground, the only slight question mark would be an ultra-quick surface, but Paddington is so unflappable he seemingly takes whatever comes his way in his stride.
He faces a new challenge in Mostahdaf – and he should not be underestimated – but Paddington is very difficult to oppose, even at his skinny odds.
Race 5 – GRAPPA NONINO 11/2
GRAPPA NONINO can follow up a recent Curragh success in the Sky Bet Stayers Handicap.
He prevailed over a mile and six furlongs earlier this month, but moving back up to an extended two miles is a positive and he sneaks in off a lowly weight, even with his 5lb penalty.
