York Ebor Festival Day 2 Preview
More top quality racing from the Knavesmire on Thursday with the Darley Yorkshire Oaks taking centre stage. ITV Racing have 5 races live from 1.30pm. We have previewed every race. Make sure you scroll right down to the bottom to see any multiples we are placing.
We also have a Tote Placepot for each day for of the York Ebor Festival – Day 2
ITV Racing Schedule
York 1.45 Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Group 2) 6f
York 2.15 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes (Class 2) 6f
York 2.45 Clipper Logistics Handicap (Class 2) 1m
York 3.15 Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1) 1m4f
York 3.45 British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (Listed Race) 1m4f
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York 1.45 Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) 6f
This looks a good renewal of the Lowther Stakes with several in with a chance but I’m giving the edge to HALA HALA HALA for Kevin Ryan. She’s had a wind op since finishing second to Santosha and looks to be drawn best of the two with the pace looking to be middle-low in this race. She was caught at the back after being slowly away and would have been closer without fluffing her lines. She should run well at a decent each way price in an open race.
Sacred, Miss Amulet and Santosha are big dangers based on their previous runs but I think it’s setup nicely for our selection to run well.
York 2.15 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes (Class 2) 6f
It’s really hard to get away from DEVIOUS COMPANY here for Tom Dascombe and I can see him going off a short priced favourite come post time. He won his first two starts in the style of a very promising young sprinter and lost little in defeat when second to the ultra impressive Master Of The Seas in the Superlative before chasing home Battleground in the Vintage Stakes last time. He sets a clear standard on those pieces of form and probably has more to come yet. He drops back to 6f but I can see that suiting as he certainly doesn’t lack speed.
Tinochio looks the biggest danger. He is a smart looking colt by Buratino and while he could only finish fourth to the filly Happy Romance last time he did fare best of those held up and gets a 7lb swing now. This test should suit and he can chase the selection home. Uncle Jumbo is another to note following an encouraging win on debut. This tougher but he has plenty of upside.
York 2.45 Clipper Logistics Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) 1m
Huge field for the Clipper Logistics Handicap and there doesn’t appear to be a lot of pace on. When picking a side I would give the edge to the higher draws with a little bit more pace over that side. This race is usually won by horses near the top of the weights and they certainly look to have the best chances.
My pick had to be TOP RANK who has been ultra impressive winning all 4 runs and looks like a pattern level horse. He is drawn in 13 and should get a bit of cover just behind the leaders and then hopefully show a similar effortless burst of speed to pull clear. If he keeps improving the way he has he should take all the beating even in this big field. Prompting was well handicapped at Ascot and Montatham is still improving and if there is more pace on that side than I think there will be they have to be the main dangers.
York 3.15 Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Fillies & Mares) 1m4f
Enable won this last year and we could see an equally as exciting individual in LOVE for Aidan O’Brien. Connections will be hoping it stops raining as she wouldn’t want the ground to deteriorate much more but as it stands she looks set to take her chance and looks a standout in this field. She has done nothing but improve winning the Guineas in devastating fashion before topping that performance to win the Oaks by 9 lengths at Epsom. She cannot be opposed here and should make it 3-3 for the season. If the ground does dry out then I will be looking at distance bets as I just think she is in a different league.
Franconia has been gradually improving and comes here chasing a hat-trick. Hard to see her getting close to the favourite but worth a crack and certainly makes appeal as value to hit the frame with the step up in trip likely to suit. Frankly Darling was put in her place by the selection last time but didn’t seem at home on the undulations so may run better here. Doubt she’ll close that gap much though. One Voice is a likeable type who should be thereabouts but again unlikely to lay a glove on the jolly.
York 3.45 British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies & Mares) 1m4f
This race looks pretty good for Listed level with some of these having the potential to be a fair bit better. 3 year olds have dominated this race over the years and it looks a good chance for GOLD WAND to take a well deserved pattern race. She was pitched into the Oaks which suggests how well regarded she is and ran a very good horse in Franconia close at York last time. Franconia runs in the Group 1 half an hour before this so it shows how good that form is and being by Golden Horn, the selection should go close up in trip again.
Vivionn is the main danger with her form looking rock solid and she will come on a bit for her reappearance run after being kept for this race. I do like the form of Award Scheme however she could end up making it and I am not sure she would hold them all off in a race of this quality. Sea Of Faith is the favourite at the time of writing and did impress at Salisbury but may struggle containing the younger generation giving weight away.
York 4.20 Sky Bet EBF Stallions Nursery (Class 2) 7f
The way MAYAAS closed all the way to the line at Ascot over 6f last time suggests this step up to 7f will prove ideal and I think he’ll improve enough to take this out. He is a colt by Dark Angel and I marked him down as a horse to follow after that highly promising run last time. This does look competitive but I’m sure he is going to run a big race for William Haggas and Jim Crowley. There’s plenty of pace on so I think he’ll look to creep into it before coming with a strong late run.
MARK OF THE MAN looks the main danger following another impressive win at Goodwood going away at the finish. I was actually quite surprised to see him at around 8/1 and if he goes any bigger I will be having a saver on him. Looks open to further improvement so while this is tougher he should step forward again so is feared. Star Of Orion is a good looking sort who overcame inexperience to make a winning start at Newmarket. Good effort under a penalty last time and also comes into the reckoning.
York 4.50 British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) 7f
An open renewal of this race but the standout looks to be LAWAHED who is making her handicap debut and a mark of 85 looks generous given how easily she won at Haydock. In the run before that she was only just beaten by Eastern World who is now rated 94 so she may have a fair bit to come based on that and will be tough to beat.
Although I do really fancy Lawahed I thought I would chuck one in at what looks a good each-way price as ODYSSEY GIRL looked to come and take the race last time out and just wandered around when hitting the front. The first time visor could be what she needs and she will hopefully outrun her odds. Dangers include Dancing Vega and Entrancing with the former likely to step forward from that encouraging second over C&D last month.
ITV Racing Win Trixie
Given there are 5 races live on ITV Racing again on Thursday we have placed a Win Trixie on our three most confident selections of the day.