The City of York Stakes 2020 is an intriguing Group 2 race and JustBookies believes we have found a good-value betting tip for this 7f contest (3pm Saturday, York).
Read on for our City of York Stakes preview and concluding betting tips’ verdict.
One Master has an official rating (OR) of 114 which puts the horse on the same mark as Safe Voyage. The 2/1 favourite is a six-year-old mare so gets 3lb from the older colts and geldings and that potentially could be the difference between winning and losing this race. She won at Group 3 level at Glorious Goodwood over this 7f trip and the winning distance of a short head could be upgraded as One Master was repeatedly short of room before the two-furlong mark.
Her best effort was finishing second in the Group 1 British Champions Sprint Stakes over 6f at Ascot last October on heavy ground and that form gives One Master, and her jockey Tom Marquand, a big chance here.
Safe Voyage enters calculations on the basis of the same OR as One Master but this seven-year-old gelding can be backed at twice the price. Safe Voyage finished fourth in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes over seven furlongs at the end of July. Carrying the same weight he was just three lengths adrift of the winner, Space Blues, who followed up by winning a red-hot Group 1 at Deauville earlier this month. Safe Voyage offers the betting value in a field of closely matched horses and has produced the same level of form as One Master in the past. It could be a good day for trainer John Quinn.
San Donato was eight and a half lengths behind the winner, Mohaather, in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last month. The distance at the line could have been less because San Donato dwelt at the start of the race and then ran keenly to compensate. This four-year-old colt finished three and three quarter lengths off level weight behind the same horse in the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot in June, which is eye-catching form in the context of this race. However, Mohaather’s last two starts have shown improvement and San Donato will have to progress again to win on Saturday at York.
Escobar is racing for the second time after wind surgery and the op saw an immediate improvement in form when the six-ear-old was third to Space Blues in the Lennox Stakes. Safe Voyage was a further half a length adrift carrying the same weight. The form of that race means Escobar and Safe Voyage have similar levels of ability and Escobar rates a big danger. The horse has won five races from 33 starts and could add to that tally in this race, but he may just be worth watching on his second run after that wind op.
Brando is a few pounds behind One Master on the ratings but has raced to a higher level than the current mark of 112. The son of Pivotal finished less than half a length behind One Master in fourth place in the 2019 British Champion Stakes carrying 3lb more. The form of that race has worked out well because Hello Youmzain and Dream Of Dreams were well down the field and have both run blinders since.
Brando has only won nine races from 40 starts but often races at Group 1 level. He was sixth in the July Cup at Newmarket on his recent start, beaten four and a half lengths by the winner Oxted. That level might not be good enough to win but Brando has serious place prospects.
Our Preview’s City Of York Stakes Betting Tips’ Conclusion
One Master is a worthy favourite and must go close on recent form. San Donato was well off the pace in the Sussex Stakes and will struggle to get back to winning ways. Escobar belied his 40/1 odds when running a screamer last time on his first run since a wind op. Threat has not progressed from two to three after winning three races as a juvenile. Brando is fully exposed and aged eight has reached the veteran stage. Shine So Bright won the race last year but is behind the more fancied runners on ratings. Beat Le Bon and Queen Jo Jo have not shown enough to win at this level. Therefore, SAFE VOYAGE is the bet in what should be a close finish and Brando can make the frame. So, in summary, our City Of York betting tip is:
- Bet on Safe Voyage @ best odds of 4/1 with William Hill or BetVictor (see odds table below for updated betting).
Compare City Of York Stakes Betting Odds from Top Bookies
 |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Master (stall 7) | 2/1 | 15/8 | 7/4 | 7/4 | 15/8 | ||
| Safe Voyage (4) | 4/1 | 4/1 | 3/1 | 3/1 | 4/1 | ||
| San Donato (5) | 5/1 | 9/2 | 5/1 | 5/1 | 5/1 | ||
| Threat (8) | 8/1 | 9/1 | 10/1 | 10/1 | 10/1 | ||
| Escobar (9) | 7/1 | 17/2 | 10/1 | 10/1 | 10/1 | ||
| Shine So Bright (1) | 10/1 | 11/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 | ||
| Beat Le Bon (2) | 12/1 | 14/1 | 16/1 | 16/1 | 16/1 | ||
| Queen Jo Jo (6) | 16/1 | 16/1 | 14/1 | 14/1 | 16/1 | ||
| Brando (3) | 14/1 | 20/1 | 25/1 | 25/1 | 22/1 |