Hi all,
It’s Yorkshire Oaks and Ladies Day at York. The action gets off to a flying start with Group 2 Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (1.50). However, the feature race is of course the Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks (3:35). It looks a cracker to with the Sir Mark Prescott trained mare Alpinista, having a rare run in Britain, seeking a seventh successive win. However, she does faces some useful rivals including Oaks winner Tuesday, Irish Oaks winner Magical Lagoon and Group 1 winner La Petite Coco.
Thursday’s big handicap is the valuable Clipper Logistics Handicap (3.00) which has attracted a maximum field of 20 for a race with £125,000 in guaranteed prize money. Last year’s winner Cruyff Turn will be popular choice among local punters on his bid for back-to-back race successes.
Once again, I have had a chance to look at all seven races on day two and my betting advice is at the end of the main piece.
York Ebor Festival – Day 2
1:50 – Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Group 2) – 6f
The speedy juvenile fillies get things underway in the 6f contest. Dramatised made it 2-2 when winning the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. Given how impressive she was last time she is worthy favourite but she may be worth taking on given the form of the Queen Mary hasn’t really worked out.
Mawj runner-up to Mediate in the Group 3 Albany Stakes went one better in the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket. Stays 6f well and could be capable better.
Lady Hollywood has been supplemented after she produced a nice turn of foot to win a Listed race at Naas last month. First run at 6f for the daughter of Havana Grey but she should be fine on a speed favouring track. Progressing nicely and gets 3lb from both Dramatised and Mawj.
Kinta unbeaten on her first two starts, both on the all-weather, showed she was just as effective turf when a length 2nd of 9 to Lezoo in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot last time. She’s got plenty of scope for improvement and the forecast strong pace will suit her.
Irish challenger Matilda Picotte is a very speedy filly and this sharp 6f will really play to her strengths. It’s hard to see her beating Dramatised but she’s capable of getting into the money.
2:25 – Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 6f
More juveniles here and there’s a big pot on offer in this 6f sales race. Not surprisingly its attracted 19 runners which is close to the maximum field size.
Dare To Hope won a Nottingham maiden on his racecourse debut but didn’t the get best of runs in the Sprint at Newbury two starts back. Back to form when runner-up in a C&D nursery last time. Definite claims for trainer Richard Fahey who won this in 2018
Richard Hannon has won this four times since 2016 and he’s only got one runner in this year’s race in Shouldvebeenaring who built on his racecourse debut 4th when improving to win a Ripon novice 9-days ago. Not raced since but this has likely been the target and he’s open to further improvement. Must have a big chance.
Washington Heights looks one of the pace angles out of stall 14. A Carlisle maiden winner he improved again under a penalty when head 2nd of 12 to Braveheart Boy at Pontefract last time. Looks sure to be there or thereabouts.
King’s Crown has plenty of experience a Thirsk winner in May. He wasn’t disgraced when 12th of 17 in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot or when a 6 lengths 6th of 7 to Persian Force in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket last time. Calmer waters here and capable of getting into the money. However, stall 16 is slightly off putting.
3:00 – Clipper Logistics Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 1m
I have had last year’s winner Cruyff Turn on my mind for this since he won over C&D in May. I’m just hoping the going doesn’t ease any more as he’s most effective on a sound surface. He had Brunch head back in second when winning in May and that one gets a 1lb pull in the weights. His trainer Michael Dods has a good record at the Ebor Festival. He also saddles Northern Express a double course winner (7f). Not sure to stay the mile but if he does will be in the mix.
David O’Meara run Goodwood Golden Mile winner Orbaan and runner-up Blue For You. The former has since gone onto win at Ascot and is arguably in the form of his career but does have a double penalty to carry. Blue For You gets a 9lb pull in the weights for a 3 ¼ length defeat. He was unlucky in the run at Goodwood and should have finished closer. He’s run well over C&D and looks an ideal type for the race.
The Charlie Appleby trained Echo Point is another in the mix. The 4-year-old returned from a 5 month absence to finish a 2 length 2nd of 12 at Newmarket last month. Up 4lb but a slightly easier surface could suit him better.
3:35 – Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1) – 1m 4f
Just seven fillies & mares go to post for the feature but it’s an intriguing contest. Arc hopeful Alpinista has won her last four starts in Group 1 company in Germany and latterly the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in France. Runner-up to Love in 2020 the 5-year-old is the one to beat on form and the rain that arrived on Tuesday has come at the right time for her.
Tuesday won the Oaks at Epsom before running below par in the Irish Derby last time. She’s better than run and likely to bounce back with a big run.
Magical Lagoon won the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot and then won a likely below standard Irish Oaks last time. That said she’s got a likable battling attitude, as she showed when winning at the Curragh. Needs to find a bit more improvement but could be well positioned in a steadily run race.
La Petite Coco has improved from three to four and made a winning seasonal return in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes (1m 2f) at the Curragh. A very likeable filly who looks capable of better returned to 1m 4f. Connections will be hoping that the moisture stays in the ground.
French challenger Raclette has been steadily progressive this season and improved for the step up to 1m 4f when winning a Group 2 at Longchamp last month. Needs to improve to win this but she may well do so.
4:10 – British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (Listed Race) – 1m 4f
Golden Lyra a winner on her juvenile racecourse debut at Newmarket and showed she had trained on when runner-up in a Newbury Listed on return. Didn’t have to be at her best to win at Kempton last month but is capable of better.
Star Fortress won a Chelmsford novice (10f) last month and showed improved form for the step up to 1m 4f in a Newmarket Listed race 19-days ago. The daughter of Sea The Stars is lightly race enough to think we haven’t seen her at her best yet.
Supagirl is more exposed than most and has had a busy campaign winning three of her eight starts. She produced a personal best when a neck 2nd of 10 to Hamaki at the Shergar Cup last time. Yard won this last year.
Mimikyu is going the right way winning her last two starts at Haydock and when making all to win on handicap debut at Newmarket last time. Bred to be better than 99 rated filly and her full sister won Journey was a Group 1 winner at the distance. Big chance for a yard that’s one this race twice since 2015.
4:45 – Or8Wellness EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap (Class 2) – 7f
One Nation has been steadily progressive on four career starts over 7f this season. Bids for a hat trick here after wins at Sandown and Newmarket. Up 8lb for his last win but looks like one who will go on improving. The forecast strong pace is positive and he’s on the shortlist.
Indian Dream got off the mark at the third attempt when winning at Epsom two starts back and improved again when neck 2nd of 8 at Haydock last time. Travelled through the race last time like a well-treated horse can race off the same mark today.
X J Rascal won aBrighton maiden (6f) on racecourse debut and has continued to improve for the step up to 7f on his last two starts. Got within a head of the winner in a nursery at Doncaster last time. Up 2llb but Ryan Moore booked and looks capable of winning a handicap.
5:20 – British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) – 7f
Queen Aminatu is going to be a warm order for this. The filly got no sort of run in the straight before finishing off strongly when a ½ length 2nd of 14 to Tarrabb at Haydock 11-days ago. She’s 6lb well in but does drop back to 7f and can’t afford to be ridden as far back as last time.
Mobadra made3 wins from last 4 starts when winning a Chelmsford City (7f) handicap on her seasonal return last month. Up 4lb for her latest success but this lightly raced 4-year-old may not have stopped her improvement.
Espressoo showed she handled C&D when a head 2nd of 11 to Heredia in May. Has disappointed on both starts since but horses from the yard can often bounce back to form out of the blue.
Truly Acclaimed won a C&D handicap in May and followed up at Ayr the following month. Ran well when a 2 ½ 4th of 8 to Miss Carol Ann on her hat trick bid. The ground was plenty quick enough for that day and a return to an easier surface and York can see her go well.
William Buick is an eyecatching jockey booking for Eidikos she’s got form around here and has been running in a Group and Listed races this season so can’t be discounted back in a handicap company.
Adaay In Asia is another very much in form filly completing a 6f hat trick at Ascot 12-days ago. Up 6lb for her latest success that may not stop her given her present well-being but the step up to 7f asks another question of the 3-year-old.
Betting Advice:
York
1:50 – 1pt win – Matilda Picotte – 12/1 @ Coral
3:00 – 1pt win – Blue For You – 13/2 @ Coral, 1pt win – Orbaan – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and 1pt win – Cruyff Turn – 14/1 @ Bet365
3:35 – 1pt win – La Petite Coco – 5/1 @ Bet365
4:45 – 1pt win – Indian Dream – 13/2 @ Bet365
5:20 – 1pt win – Truly Acclaimed – 12/1 @ Ladbrokes
Cheers
John