York Stakes betting tips from Horsebetting.com say 2000 Guineas fourth Elarqam looks a worthy favourite to land the feature Group 2 extended 1m 2f York Stakes for local trainer Mark Johnston at the Knavesmire on Saturday, 28 July. Smart Call is feared most, while Euginio is a solid each-way bet. Find out more about these horses in our 2018 York Stakes betting tips preview.Elarqam has plenty in his favour for York StakesMiddleham trainer Mark Johnston has saddled so many winners already this Flat season and holds leading claims of another big race success in Elarqam for the feature Group 2 York Stakes at York on Saturday (15:15).
This three-year-old son of Frankel steps up to tackle an extended mile-and-a-quarter for the first time after placing in both the English and Irish 2000 Guineas on his two starts. That Classic form sets a clear standard in this and means Elarqam is the highest rated in the eight strong field on an official mark of 115, yet carries bottom weight of 8st 11lb.
The terms of this race are entirely in his favour. Elarqam was already 2lb clear of the field on ratings, but get 6lb and upwards from everything opposing him with his nearest rival according to the assessor having to shoulder a whopping 12lb more.
It’s a massive plus for connections and, although beaten 7 1/4 lengths by Romanised and down in sixth place in the Irish Guineas last time out, a step up in distance is sure to suit. But for getting hampered at Newmarket in the English equivalent beforehand, Elarqam could’ve been closer than a 2 1/4 lengths fourth to Saxon Warrior.
He is also a course winner having landed his debut – a sire restricted 7f novice affair – back in September. Former champion jockey Jim Crowley continues to do the steering and that is another advantage as the pair landed a juvenile Group 3 together on Elarqam’s final start of last season.
With so much in his favour here, he looks a worthy favourite to land the spoils and add another group success. Elarqam is thus your best bet among 2018 York Stakes betting tips.Smart Call not to be underestimatedSir Michael Stoute trained the first-ever winner of this race and his South African mare Smart Call is on the upgrade after landing a Group 3 on the all-weather last time out. This six-year-old has also been third over course and distance at this level twice before, including on her penultimate start at the Dante Festival.
Smart Call found Coronet just 2 1/2 lengths too good in the Middleton Stakes, while the runner-up Horseplay has come out and won the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock. Turret Rocks, who was 1 1/4 lengths behind Stoute’s charge has also landed two races since which include the Group 3 Meld Stakes at Leopardstown.
Given Smart Call has also tasted victory, the form has a strong look to it. Racing here off an unchanged mark of 108 for her Newcastle victory means shes get weight from all the York Stakes contenders but Elarqam and market outsider Euro Nightmare.
She has 7lb to find on ratings with favourite, to whom Smart Call concedes 6lb but that strong Middleton form and international runs at the highest level earlier in her career mean she has to be respected. Judging her South African form and how it equates in Europe is more problematic, but the betting has already spoken for her as a market principal.Euginio each-way valueGiven Elarqam finished in front of subsequent Coral-Eclipse hero Roaring Lion in the 2000 Guineas and Forest Ranger was a 10 1/2 lengths last of seven behind that same colt in the Sandown showpiece, it’s surprising to find the Ranger so short in the betting. With Richard Fahey’s charge also having to carry top-weight for a previous Group 2 win, there’s better each-way value on offer in the shape of Euginio.
Trained by Richard Hannon, the four-year-old is tried at this level for the first time having been a 2 1/2 lengths runner-up to Forest Ranger on seasonal reappearance in the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket. They raced off level weights there, but Eugino is now getting 3lb from that re-opposing rival and that could be enough to reverse the placings.
This Fastnet Rock colt has twice been runner-up at Listed level since, going down by just a length to Monarchs Glen in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot on the second occasion – reversing the form of his previous run behind Mirage Dancer in the process.
Euginio was squeezed for room admittedly under pressure last time out when fourth of five to Mustashry in the Gala Stakes at Sandown, but again was only beaten a length. Having made the frame in this hot contests for the grade, stepping up to this level may see him continue to go well at decent odds.Your Next Bet
