York Ebor Festival Day 2 Tips
The second day of York’s Ebor festival takes place on Thursday and sees the return of dual Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk, who bids to give her trainer Aidan O’Brien a ninth win in the Yorkshire Oaks (15:35).
The feature is supplemented by juvenile action in the Lowther Stakes (13:50), a Group 2 for fillies, and Harry’s Half Million By Goffs (14:25), as well some competitive handicaps.
There are seven races in all at York on Thursday and we have selected our best bets.
13:50 - York - Lowther Stakes
Ed Walker landed this juvenile contest last year and has a prime candidate for a repeat success in ROYAL FIXATION, who came clear with unbeaten Royal Ascot winner Venetian Sun when second in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket last month. That form sets the standard and this highly regarded filly should be capable of going one better here.
Selection: Royal Fixation
14:25 - York - Harry's Half Million By Goffs
Proven Group form is hard to knock at this level and TADEJ has that in abundance, most recently beating useful French colt Afjan in a Group 3 at Deauville. He raced alone against the inside rail that day, so stall one here shouldn’t be an inconvenience, and he’s already won over course and distance, which is a bonus. He carries a penalty, but he boasts the best form and is clear on official ratings, so it’s unlikely to hold him back.
Selection: Tadej
15:00 - York - Clipper Handicap
A progressive three-year-old took this last year and that feat can be repeated by REMMOOZ, whose sole defeat in four starts came when a creditable fourth in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes. He rewarded good market support on his handicap debut in a similar contest over course and distance last month and he may have been let in lightly by a 4lb rise. Further improvement should be forthcoming.
Selection: Remmooz
15:35 - York - Yorkshire Oaks
Aidan O’Brien has won the Yorkshire Oaks on eight occasions and looks set to make it nine with dual Oaks heroine MINNIE HAUK, who is a clear standout on form. Her Oaks victory at Epsom has been emphatically franked by runner-up Whirl, who has since won the Pretty Polly and Nassau Stakes, and she is officially rated 3lb higher than Estrange, who has to concede 9lb. By Frankel out of a half-sister to Kingman, she has already gone some way to justifying her €1.85 million price tag and can bag a third Group 1 of the season.
Selection: Minnie Hauk
16:10 - York - British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes
Many of the fillies and mares who have the best form are not guaranteed stayers, so it looks worth taking a chance on the unexposed AEOLIAN. She only made her debut six weeks ago, but she showed all the right signs when second that day and duly went one better with a plucky display from the front at Newmarket last time. That bare form leaves her with plenty to find, but her half-brother Desert Hero was smart and she is open to improvement, especially over this longer distance.
Selection: Aeolian
16:45 - York - Handicap
The heavy rainfall midway through Glorious Goodwood likely didn’t suit AMAZING JOURNEY, but he was a huge eyecatcher in finishing fifth, having run into plenty of trouble when trying to make his way from the back. That was his first go at seven furlongs and, given he ran the fastest final-furlong sectional, the new trip suited him well. The return to a sounder surface looks ideal and this 1lb higher mark is unlikely to be beyond him.
Selection: Amazing Journey
17:20 - York - Fillies' Handicap
Things haven’t gone right for DANCE IN THE STORM since winning comfortably on quick ground at Sandown in June and she looks worth another chance. She made a big move too soon off a strong gallop when fourth to Mudbir back there next time and proved that form all wrong, when going down by just a short head to that rival at Goodwood last time. That effort can be marked up, given she was drawn wider than the winner and received a bump close to home, and a 3lb rise could underestimate her.
Selection: Dance In The Storm
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
