Today's Horse Racing Tips: Love one of five bets at York on day one of Ebor Festival

There are five bets for the opening day of York’s prestigious Ebor meeting.

York Tips

13:50 – 5½f Sky Bet And Symphony Group Handicap (Class 2)   

PENDLETON (0.5 point each way bet at 12/1) missed out by the narrowest of margins when collared on the line at Ascot back in May. That marked his return from a mammoth 560-day absence, but he travelled really well and lost nothing in defeat. He followed his pleasing seasonal reappearance up with a comfortable victory over five furlongs here at York - his second good run at the course having also been placed here as a three-year-old. Michael Dods’ runner can bounce back today after finishing down the field in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot last time out when sent off as short as 11/1.

This son of Garswood was also in fine form prior to his injury-enforced break. His 2019 campaign saw him beat Came From The Dark over five furlongs at Ascot and he also went close in other good races over sprint trips (including in the Ayr Bronze Cup). Although his best form is with a bit more ease in the ground, there has been 26mm of rain at York in August and conditions are officially good. Cheekpieces are retained and Callum Rodriquez, who knows the horse well, takes the ride again.

15:00 – 1m4f Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)   

The beautifully bred KEMARI (NAP – 1 point win bet at 7/2) cost connections 400,000gns as a yearling and has a pedigree full of stamina. Having made his debut in a ten-furlong Newmarket maiden back in May (second), he improved to win emphatically at Yarmouth next time out. That prompted connections to talk him up as a potentially very smart horse and he backed that up by winning the Group 2 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot on just his third start. The official winning distance that day was 1.5-lengths, but he was value for much more and did it in comfortable fashion. As a strong-travelling prominent racer, this drop back to 1m4f isn’t a concern, and he can defy a 3lb penalty for his Ascot victory. As he has already been gelded, he isn’t eligible for the St Leger, so a victory here would confirm him as an exciting ‘cup horse’ going forward. The superb William Buick, on board for both wins, takes the ride again.

15:35 – 1m2½f Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1)   

Although he is clearly a very talented horse, I am keen to oppose the favourite (Mishriff) and feel that the amount of prize money he has won sometimes over inflates people’s opinion of him on the track. Preference is for the superstar filly LOVE (1 point win bet at 3/1) and she is taken to reverse the King George form with Mishriff and bounce back to the level that saw her win three consecutive Group 1s last year. Those wins comprised of two Classics (1000 Guineas and Oaks) as well as a commanding success here in the Yorkshire Oaks. Everything looks in her favour today and although this wasn’t her original target, she can fill the void left by stablemate St Mark’s Basilica.

16:10 – 2m½f Sky Bet Handicap (Class 2)   

PLATFORM NINETEEN (0.5 point win bet at 8/1) returned from a huge 648 day absence to win by a commanding 5.5-lengths at Beverley last month. Having won four of his last five races before the lay-off (including over this course and distance), his return to action confirmed that he retains plenty of ability. He went well again at Goodwood when last seen to finish a very respectable fifth of the 20 runners and now drops back down to two miles – a trip over which he has been very strong at the finish. Clifford Lee knows the horse well and there is still more improvement to come.

16:45 – 5f IRE Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Stakes (Fillies’ Handicap) (Class 2)   

John Quinn’s No Nay Never filly, MISS NAY NEVER (0.5 point win bet at 20/1), cost £140,000 as a yearling and is related to some smart performers. She is out of a Listed winning mare and made her second career start in that grade, showing that connections rate her highly. After a fine juvenile campaign that saw her make the frame in all but one of her nine starts, she has recorded two wins and a close third from her four outings this year. She is yet to win on turf but has posted some good efforts in defeat and comes here after being pulled out of a Nottingham engagement on Friday due to fast ground. Jason Hart is back on board and the pair should give a bold showing from the front.