The Ebor Festival got underway at York yesterday, with the opening day setting the tone for four days of top-class Flat racing on the Knavesmire.
Wednesday's card was headed by the Juddmonte International Stakes, won by Item with the Great Voltigeur Stakes going the way of Maltese Cross and Acomb Stakes, won by Haffner, also featuring on a strong first afternoon.
Now attention turns to today, Yorkshire Oaks Day, with another excellent card and five races shown live on ITV1 between 1.50pm and 4.10pm.
The Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks is the main event, backed up by the Lowther Stakes, the valuable Harry's Half Million by Goffs Stakes and the Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes.
The first sign of rain has also helped the field sizes, with 92 runners initially declared across the five ITV races and every contest offering at least three each-way places.
Richard Hoiles, is providing daily tips for the York Ebor Festival throughout the week on his Betway blog. Here are his thoughts…
1.50 York: Lowther Stakes Tip – Libertango
The Group 2 Lowther Stakes for two-year-old fillies is first up and has attracted one of the largest fields in its history, with 19 set to line up.
That does make matters a little more difficult for LIBERTANGO, who is at her best when coming from off the pace.
She has a much bigger field to work through and has also been handed a fairly high draw in stall 15.
There are, however, a couple of major factors in her favour. The first is the strong chance that she is simply the best horse in the race.
She was very impressive when winning the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, and that form has worked out well, with five horses winning on their next start.
Libertango could not add to that total when later beaten by Senorita Bonita at Newmarket, but that looks strong form in its own right. The winner appears to be a very smart filly, while the third, Alwaysanangel, went on to win a Listed race in Ireland next time out.
Another positive is that two of her main rivals, Moonrise and Livenka, are also drawn high. That could give Libertango something to follow into the race.
Tip: LIBERTANGO
2.25 York: Harry's Half Million Tip – Sun Goddess
The Albany form comes into focus again in the valuable sales race through SUN GODDESS.
She was one of the five horses from the Albany to win next time out and then took another big step forward when landing the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
There are two clear questions here. Firstly, she is returning fairly quickly after that Group 1 success. Secondly, she has to carry a 7lb penalty.
However, she beat the colts at the Curragh and brings a level of form that few of these have yet shown.
Like Libertango, she has a high draw to deal with, but her class could prove more important.
The main threat may come from the Clive Cox stable, which has won the last three runnings of this race. Satellite of Love looks a serious danger and has the added help of stall six.
There are some bigger-priced runners with each-way claims, including Pride of Toledo, but Sun Goddess sets a high standard for a race of this type and may simply prove too good.
Tip: SUN GODDESS
3.00 York: Sir Kevin Sinfield Stakes Tip – Point Lynas
The first handicap on our list comes next, and Bullet Point and POINT LYNAS look like the two to concentrate on.
Bullet Point was heading to Australia when running twice in quick succession at this meeting last season and remains one of the most physically impressive horses in training.
Things did not work out for him in Australia, but there were signs of a return to form when fitted with cheekpieces for the first time at Ascot. He should be involved again.
However, the current form of the Ed Bethell stable and Point Lynas's record at York tip the balance towards the latter.
The Bethell yard has been in very strong form during August, while Point Lynas has York form figures of 512214.
There also does not appear to be a huge amount of competition for the lead.
If Point Lynas can get into his usual rhythm at a track where he clearly runs well, he could once again prove very difficult to pass.
Tip: POINT LYNAS
3.35 York: Yorkshire Oaks Tip – Legacy Link Each-Way
The feature race of the day is the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks, and one of the main questions is how Kalpana has come out of a career-best effort in the King George.
She has looked an improved horse this season and, on form, is the clear horse to beat. However, that Ascot performance must have taken something out of her, while the stable has been a little quieter since then.
Her chief rival Minnie Hauk has also had a hard race, which adds another question to the contest.
The rest of the field includes several three-year-olds, and this year's classic generation of fillies has not always produced the strongest form.
One who could be worth backing at a double-figure price is LEGACY LINK.
There is an added point of interest in the fact that she is also owned by Juddmonte yet is being allowed to take on Kalpana.
Her latest Ascot run is easy enough to forgive. It came fairly quickly after her previous start, while a tack problem resulted in her running without her crossed noseband.
Her earlier Musidora run at York was much more encouraging. She stayed on strongly that day and clearly handles the track.
Her latest result may also mean the market has slightly forgotten that effort, which could leave her at a bigger price than her chance deserves.
Tip: LEGACY LINK – Each-Way
4.10 York: Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes Tip – A La Prochaine
The Oaks form returns in the Listed Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes through A LA PROCHAINE, who finished fourth at Epsom on only the third start of her career.
She has sensibly been given time to recover since then and the recent rain should be in her favour.
Dropped in grade, this looks a good chance for her to return to winning form.
She had previously run well at Chester in a race that did not really suit a horse with her hold-up style, and there may still be plenty more to come.
Finishing fourth in the Oaks after just two previous runs was a big effort and she now moves into a race where she should find things easier.
If she can take another step forward, she looks a strong contender.
Tip: A LA PROCHAINE
Ebor Festival Thursday Tips at a Glance
After an opening day packed with Group race action, York moves into Yorkshire Oaks Day with another strong afternoon in store.
Libertango brings some of the best form into the Lowther Stakes, while Sun Goddess arrives with Group 1 form already on her record.
Point Lynas is the proven York performer and could be hard to pass if allowed to race prominently, while Legacy Link offers an interesting each-way option against the leading names in the Yorkshire Oaks.
Finally, A La Prochaine has already finished fourth in an Oaks after only three career starts and could have much more to offer now dropped into Listed company.
Five Selections for Thursday
- 1.50 York – LIBERTANGO
- 2.25 York – SUN GODDESS
- 3.00 York – POINT LYNAS
- 3.35 York – LEGACY LINK – Each-Way
- 4.10 York – A LA PROCHAINE
With big fields, changing ground conditions and some very competitive races, Yorkshire Oaks Day looks set to provide another excellent afternoon at the Ebor Festival.
BETFRED
