Dave Massey is back, offering exclusive insights for each day of this week’s York’s Ebor Meeting 2024, with his best bets over all 4 days of action on The Knavesmire.
York’s Ebor Meeting 2024: King’s Gambit (3:00) – Back
It was tempting to just put Los Angeles up as the lay today, but the more I look at the race, the more I think King’s Gambit is just going to win, so let’s play it that-a-way instead. Before we even get to his second in the York Stakes here last time, let’s not forget that he really ought to have gone close to winning the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot and beaten Jayarebe in the process, Will Buick probably just giving the horse a bit too much to do after holding him up well off the pace.
Sean Levey simply got first run on Jayarebe that day but you were left with the impression King’s Gambit was the better horse. That form looks even better after Jayarebe’s effort against Economics at Deauville at the weekend, the runner-up the only horse to even try and give Economics something to think about, the pair well clear of the third.
Perhaps that Ascot effort was at the back of connections mids when King’s Gambit was given a more positive ride here over 10½f in the York Stakes, Callum Sheppard continually winding the pace up, but he was worn down late by Alflaila, another excellent effort from this improving 2yo. Back against his own age group here, and with the step up in trip likely to suit, he can get back to winning ways.
York’s Ebor Meeting 2024 – Ruling Class (2:25) – Take On
If there’s been a race to get the favourite beaten in recent years at the Ebor Festival, the Acomb has been it, with the last five winners going off at 17-2, 7-2, 25-1, 9-1 and 9-2. Ruling Class looks short enough at around 5-4 to my eyes. He won easily at Sandown and looked a very good prospect, but this is clearly a lot tougher, and for all he’s going to improve, so too is The Lion In Winter and I’d say his form in winning a good maiden at the Curragh is every bit as good, if not slightly better, than what Ruling Class achieved.
Third at the Curragh was the O’Brien stablemate The Ides Of March, who went off favourite that day, and he franked that form winning easily next time, so it looks a very solid and believable piece of form. Not that it’s a two-horse race either, despite what the market says – Jouncy was impressive at Goodwood and his going the right way, Yaroogh is on a hat-trick after wins at Kempton and Haydock, and Wimbledon Hawkeye, surely one to follow once he goes up in trip, looked very green when winning on debut at did better again when a staying-on third to Ancient Times in the Superlative Stakes last time.
York’s Ebor Meeting 2024 – Democracy Dilemma (1.50) – Each Way
The question is going to be that last 89yds, with this 5½f trip a slight step into the unknown, but back in the day they tried Democracy Dilemma over both 6f and 7f, admittedly in lesser company, and he seemed to get 6f no bother, so he’s got to be worth an each-way bet here with so much else in his favour.
Firstly, low numbers seem to have held sway on the sprint course at York this year, and so stall 3 is no bad place to work from. Despite the hood coming off late, he showed some blazing speed in the City Walls here last time out and was clear at halfway before running out of gas late in the piece.
Rossa Ryan will probably try and keep a little bit in the tank this time, but, bar a poor run at Haydock in June (and I’m always more than happy to give any horse a pass for a bad one at that gaff these days) he’s been a model of consistency, and even if those last few yards find him out, he still looks a terrific each-way bet around the 12-1 mark.
By Dave Massey
Please note that the information provided in this York’s Ebor Meeting 2024 article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
