Daily Racing Tips: Priveleged to Sea the Stars

Carl Harris’ Daily Racing Tips / Carl Harris / 19 August 2009 / Leave a Comment

"Monsieur Chevalier has a devastating turn of foot that sees him come through the pack. But on a fair track like York I expect Richard Hughes to have him closer and to be able to pick them up and win his seventh race from only eight starts."

Carl Harris pays tribute to a living legend before turning his attention to Ebor day...

The course record was shattered as Sea The Stars won the Juddmonte International under a masterful ride by Mick Kinane, breaking the heart of Martercraftsman who put up a performance that would have won the race in any other year, except of course this, the year of the Oxx.

The applause for Sea The Stars was non-stop, the Yorkshire crowd in no doubt about that they had witnessed one of the best horses ever to race at York, if not the best.
The reaction was not lost on John Oxx. The York crowd can bring tears to the eye - just ask Henry Cecil. What I saw brought a tear or two to my eyes, reminding me exactly why I love horseracing so much.

And that was only day one of four, now we move on to Wednesday, Ebor day with another fantastic day of racing that will no doubt provide as many thrills as yesterday. Royal Destination won well under a brilliant last gasp ride by Dettori meaning we are nicely in profit, so far so good.

Surprisingly Monsieur Chevalier (2.50) is not, officially, the top-rated horse in this group two Gimcrack Stakes. I certainly have Richard Hannon's prolific winning two year-old down as the best horse in the race. He has won six of his seven races, having been beaten at Ascot after getting run in to and losing his chance.

Monsieur Chevalier has a devastating turn of foot that sees him come through the pack, but on a fair track like York I expect Richard Hughes to have him closer and to be able to pick them up and win his seventh race from only eight starts. Showcasing is well thought of, but Monsieur Chevalier will be very tough to beat, in my view.

One punter will relieve a High Street bookmaker of a million pounds if Red Merlin lands the Ebor for Clive Cox. As much as I would love to see the punter get his pay day I think Aidan O'Brien's Changingoftheguard (3.25) is the best option. Before you start booing that this is the favourite, I believe that he has a favourite's chance, and for a change in a race like this the market has it right, he has the best form and could be the best in at the weights here.

That said the Ebor is a race that throws up some shocks, like the 100/1 Mudawin in 2006, but the best horse usually comes to the fore. I had a really good win with Purple Moon and I think Changingoftheguard could be in the same bracket. He is a short price but I think, following his Ulster Derby win that he will win The Ebor.

Let's hope for another winning day, good luck!

Carl Harris' Best Bets for Wednesday 19th August (York):

2.50 York- Monsieur Chevalier @ [3.0], Win
3.25 York- Changingoftheguard @ [3.65], Win

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