Racehorse TALK

Welcome to the York Festival and we have a high quality card to kick things off this afternoon. The weather remains greatly undecided but is likely to be on the damp side yet again. What a horrible summer. Let's find some winners anyway!

Lonsdale Cup (Group 2)
Many of the usual suspects facing the starter here again. My old mate Sergeant Cecil took this race last year but he faces a much stiffer task this afternoon. Distinction ran well after a lengthy layoff and should figure more prominently today. He was second in this race two years ago and that was a classier field than old Sarge beat last year. Balkan Knight is very honest in these contests but it's hard to see him taking the prize. Of the mares Souvenance wasn't good enough last year and she'll struggle again. The other pair have some hope if heavy rain falls especially the improving Juniper Girl. Percussionist will also require heavy rain to take a major end of the prize.

The one they all have to worry about though is Septimus. Given an easy time after the Derby last year and not over faced on firm ground this season. Looked like a real stayer when making the pace for his stablemate over twelve furlongs back in June and looks the major testing material for this race. Septimus just doesn't want firm ground and he wont get it. Rain sure wont hurt at all either.

Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)
Traditional St Leger lead up race with a competitive bunch of colts engaged. Strong representation from the O'Brien camp is no surprise given the size of their Derby entry this year. I'm a bit reluctant to get stuck in here with one or more of the Coolmore horses likely to be used up early to put Boscobel off his game. No doubt the Mark Johnston horse is the one to beat if getting his own way up front. I cannot imagine that happening though.

The horse most likely to make it a real staying contest is Mahler. He drops back from a two mile trip this afternoon so I can't see his rider allowing the leaders to dawdle along. The form has worked out ok from the Queen's Vase but I expect a couple to have too much pace for him when it counts this afternoon. The colt is also reported to be coming back from an injury. Motivator's brother Macarthur might have a squeak if the clouds seriously unload. He looks unlikely to test the best here under prevailing conditions though. Even if the rains do come his stablemate Acapulco should be better. A big tip around for this fellow early this morning.

The two that look most suited by the likely race pattern are Lucarno and Yellowstone. There doesn't look to be much between the pair and it would be no surprise to see them fight it out. Lucarno has been a little fierce when racing at this trip and if he has matured and learnt to settle better of late then he's the testing material for mine. If he's too keen in the early stages then Yellowstone will pounce.

Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1)
A really good line up for this race and a thrilling contest awaits. Four top class Gr1 horses engaged. Coolmore will be looking to dictate the pace again with three entered among the seven starters. The bottom weight is likely to set off in front with Duke Of Marmalade in close attendance. I've always thought that the Duke looked like a ten furlong horse. He has been very honest at Gr1 level this year and could be the dark horse. Whoever leads they will be closely followed throughout by Asiatic Boy. He ran very well when looking underdone last time after an extended break. Should strip a lot fitter and give them plenty to catch here.

Then we come to Authorized, Notnowcato and Dylan Thomas. The trio are all very consistent animals. With the track remaining dry I see a definite advantage for Dylan Thomas. He has always looked to have Cato's measure when the conditions suit. I also have little doubt that Authorized wasn't at his best last time. Is the 3yo up to the finishing strength of Dylan Thomas? Can he show the silky speed and power he did on Derby day? When will a Derby winner actually salute the judge again? A more positive ride this afternoon sure wouldn't hurt. It's going to be a great race. I probably wont decide on my outright favourite until they've jumped and run a couple of furlongs.

Acomb Stakes (Group 3)
A host of very promising types engaged here who hold a lot of bg race entries towards the end of the season. Campanologist looked like a very promising horse first time out. He displayed some bad manners in the parade and was less than tractable in running. Still way too good at the business end though. Will need to be better behaved against this lot today. Legislation did a good job at Newmarket and he looked prefessional enough in the process. A solid contender.

The one they all have to beat Fast Company. This colt was as impressive as one ever is from the Meehan stable first up. They usually need a run for experience but this fellow gave them a start and a comprehensive flogging. The form has been solidly franked since then and the son of Danehill Dancer will be very hard to beat.

Best of luck  to those having a nibble this afternoon.