York punters are torn on Tipperary trained Troy as the big race approaches
O’Brien’s superstar no longer odds-on for day one feature
City Of Troy remains an uneasy even money favourite with BoyleSports for the Juddmonte International as punters keep their cards close to their chest ahead of the Ebor Festival.
The four-day meeting is set to get underway on the Knavesmire on Wednesday, with the Ballydoyle star heading a field of thirteen for the opening day feature.
Last seen beating subsequent Group 1 winner Al Riffa in the Coral-Eclipse, City Of Troy will bid to add a fourth victory at the highest level to his CV but punters remain cautious about playing the son of Justify, who had traded as short as 4/6 in recent days.
The re-opposing Ambiente Friendly (15/2), who finished second to City Of Troy in the Derby, heads the opposition alongside French-raider Calandagan (7/1) who ran out a six-length winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Bluestocking will fly the flag for the fillies after following up her maiden Group 1 success in the Pretty Polly by filling the runner-up spot in the King George and has been well supported into 8/1 from as big as 14/1, while Zarakem has attracted significant each way support from 20/1 into 11/1, after a fine second to Auguste Rodin in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “City Of Troy remains easy to back ahead of his Juddmonte assignment and it’d be no surprise if he was odds against at the off. Bluestocking and Zarakem are the two that punters have come for at each way prices and we could end up cheering home the favourite to keep the money in our satchels.”
Evs City Of Troy
7/1 Calandagan
15/2 Ambiente Friendly
8/1 Bluestocking
9/1 Alflaila
11/1 Zarakem
14/1 Ghostwriter
25/1 Bar