By Nick Robson, PA
City Of Troy can cement his position as the best three-year-old in Europe by winning a stacked Juddmonte International at York.
In what is undoubtedly the race of the season, last year’s champion juvenile should have conditions much more to his liking than he had last time out in the Coral-Eclipse.
It shows the regard in which he is held that despite beating his elders at Sandown, it felt a little underwhelming as he made what seemed relatively hard work of it.
Who knows what happened at Newmarket in the Guineas, it could not possibly be that the trip was too short, as he would not have won over any distance, and given what we have seen before and since, he should have been in the shake-up.
That just makes it easier to put a line through, though, and he has bounced back to win the Derby and the Eclipse, which is no easy feat.
Ambiente Friendly might just be a bit of a bridle horse, while the form of the French-trained runners looks short of what is required. As admirable as Alflaila and Ghostwriter are, they are probably just a bit below the level required to win a renewal of this stature.
The Tattersalls Acomb Stakes looks another cracker, with the Derby joint-favourites Ruling Court and The Lion In Winter set to take each other on.
Slight preference is for Ruling Court, as he created a fairly sizeable impression when winning by over five lengths on his debut at Sandown.
Admittedly, when you pay €2.3million, you want to be winning a maiden nicely, but to do it in the manner he did suggests he is smart, although time may tell the Ballydoyle runner is the better long-term prospect.
The fact Aidan O’Brien supplemented Los Angeles for the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes is a funny one.
He has the Queen’s Vase winner Illinois in the mix, too, but is happy for his Irish Derby winner to give away up to 5lb to the rest of the field as he preps for the St Leger.
Los Angeles can be taken on with King’s Gambit, though, who might just be a bit too sharp for him.
Stepping up in trip to a mile and a half for the first time, he was a desperately unlucky loser at Royal Ascot when failing to reel in Jayarebe, who ran a blinder behind Economics in France.
His second to Alflaila in the York Stakes was also meritorious, as the race was run at a real crawl, which far from favoured him.
Holkham Bay can carry on his improvement in the Symphony Group Handicap, despite a 10lb rise for his win at the Shergar Cup, when he looked a bit better than a handicapper.
Gordon Elliott sends Samui over from Ireland for the Sky Bet Stayers Handicap and he could hardly have been more impresive when romping home by 17 lengths at Killarney last month.
Roger Varian makes the long journey to Carlisle with Khaldiya for the Racing TV EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes and the hint should be taken.
Second on debut at Yarmouth when slightly unlucky in running, she sets a high bar.
Top tips for today’s UK meetings
TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.
YORK: Race 1: 14.50 Holkham Bay, Race 2: 15.25 Ruling Court, Race 3: 16.00 KING'S GAMBIT
(NAP), Race 4: 16.35 City Of Troy, Race 5: 17.10 Samui, Race 6: 17.45 Got To Love A Grey,
Race 7: 18.20 Scatter Penny.
CARLISLE: Race 1: 15.05 Khaldiya, Race 2: 15.40 Gundogan, Race 3: 16.15 Flowstate, Race 4:
16.50 Love Yours, Race 5: 17.25 Half Moon Rising, Race 6: 18.00 Vintage Love, Race 7: 18.30
Bowman, Race 8: 19.02 Kelpie Grey.
WORCESTER: Race 1: 17.50 Don Occhetti, Race 2: 18.25 Pilot Show, Race 3: 18.55 Miss
Goldfire, Race 4: 19.30 Keppel Queen, Race 5: 20.00 Onlyamatteroftime, Race 6: 20.35
Catuaba, Race 7: 21.05 Supreme Yeats.
KEMPTON: Race 1: 18.50 Detain, Race 2: 19.20 Harmonia, Race 3: 19.50 Amphius, Race 4:
20.25 Loving Look, Race 5: 21.00 Matharu, Race 6: 21.30 Sonmarg.
DOUBLE: King's Gambit and City Of Troy (York, Races 3 and 4).
For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com