I'm loading up on the 15-1 Aidan O'Brien-Ryan Moore treble I can't see losing on day one of York
MATT CHAPMAN I'm loading up on the 15-1 Aidan O'Brien-Ryan Moore treble I can't see losing on day one of York
BANG. Bang. Bang.
That could be Aidan O'Brien at York on Wednesday as Ireland's super trainer bids to take top billing on the super Knavesmire as he sends out the exciting Italy and monsters in Derby hero Lambourn and Eclipse demolisher Delacroix.
1
I fancy Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore to bang in a tasty treble to get punters off to a flyer on day one of the Ebor festival from York
Credit: Sportsfile
Oh yes, the Juddmonte International fixture gets off with a bang, with DELACROIX trying to follow up his victory over Royal Ascot hero Ombudsman in a messy Coral feature at Sandown.
And the big Group 1, live on ITV, is not just about familiar names at the top level.
Challenging from Japan is Danon Decile, who when last seen defeated the brilliant Calandagan in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in April.
Back in fourth that day was the multiple Group 1 hero Rebel's Romance.
Ironically for a race called 'internationaI', it is 50 years since Dahlia's second win in the Juddmonte while Triptych scored in 1987.
Meanwhile, See The Fire will try and match her dam, Arabian Queen, who was the last female horse to win the Juddmonte International back in 2015.
The fairer sex don't land this prize often, although others to have done so include One So Wonderful in 1998 and In the Groove in 1990.
Ryan Moore will be on top of Delacroix, who flopped in the Derby but was a spectacular winner of the Eclipse and whatever connections say (some have suggested he might be best at a mile) I think he stays this trip really well. He's the one for me.
LAMBOURN goes in the St Leger trial, the Group 2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur, although the Arc de Triomphe might be more his ultimate target.
I'm not opposing the short-priced favourite.
O'Brien's colt has done little wrong this season, following up his Epsom success with victory, albeit far from impressive, in the Irish equivalent.
On ratings he has achieved miles more than most of these, and while some of course are open to improvement he should take all the beating again under Moore.
ITALY goes in the Group 3 Tattersalls Acomb for colts and geldings.
O'Brien surely knows where he is with big rival Distance Storm having sent out the horse who got closest to the unbeaten Godolphin runner at Newmarket 40 days ago.
A son of Wootton Bassett, Italy looked very good on debut but ultimately was beaten by Godolphin's Saba Desert in the Group 2 Superlative.
That, of course, means Charlie Appleby has a strong guide too!
I'm sticking with Italy mainly because he has that bit more experience and I was left thinking he wasn't quite at his best in the Superlative. More Moore.
ITV Racing start at York with a handicap over an extended 5f.
TREFOR ran an absolute cracker at Windsor the other day suggesting he's bang in form for Charlie Hills.
My selection can run off 1lb lower here and his traveling pace should stand him in good stead on this track.
He's only run here once before and didn't do well, but on that occasion he hung badly left and just wasn't himself even though the vet found no issues. Kieran Shoemark takes the ride.
Finally on telly there is a handicap over an extended 2m.
A huge chance this for ALPHONSE LE GRANDE to outstay his rivals for Tony Martin and William Buick.
The Cesarewitch winner has not been disgraced in 2025, running twice with a pipe opener at the Curragh follow by an eighth in the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting.
This is not a strong renewal in my book and he has a great chance to score if there is any sort of pace at all.
Good luck!
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