Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: York Ebor Festival Day 2 Tips
THURSDAY RACING TIPS
York 1.50 – Lowther Stakes
Libertango’s (7/4 fav) unbeaten record was taken away from her at Newmarket last time but she battled well in defeat in what ended up being a messy race with a stop/start pace.
She was a little bit keen and ended up challenging arguably what turned out to be the wrong side. The winner sort of drifted across the track; it was pretty messy really.
The sharper six furlongs may well suit. She obviously had enough speed for five at Ascot so a sharp track won’t be an issue.
I think her main danger is Livenka (15/2), the GM Lyons filly who has experience and looks very straightforward. She’s sharp out the gates and travels away nicely.
She is overpriced at 15/2 so, if you wanted to look at an each-way bet, I would be looking at her.
She took a couple of runs for the penny to really drop. They stepped her up to seven which looked to stretch her, but when returning to the six furlongs she’s won twice.
As I say, Livenka’s quick out the stalls and just travelling very powerfully throughout her races.
Megan’s Tip: Libertango WIN & Livenka E/W
York 2.25 – Harry's Half Million By Goffs
It’s without question that Sun Goddess (10/11 fav) is the one for the Goffs Sales race.
A Group 1 winner, she’s an incredibly talented filly who was very well bought from the Doncaster sale for 120,000 guineas which looks, in hindsight, great value.
A daughter of Sioux Nation – a sire who continues to do exceptionally well, especially with his fillies in his last couple of seasons as they’ve really shone through – she’s the class here.
Satellite Of Love (11/2) is my each-way selection. Clive Cox has done well in this race in recent seasons, is unbeaten in two starts so far and is just very tough with a good attitude and looks very straightforward.
This is a race with more depth, more runners, but York can light horses up and I think the main thing is having a horse with a good mindset at this track. She has that.
Megan’s Tip: Sun Goddess WIN & Satellite Of Love E/W
York 3.00 – Heritage Handicap
I’m going Aalto (12/1), who’s been in good form lately.
A little bit unlucky at York earlier in the season when no luck in running, but has since come out and won his beloved Bunbury Cup and continues to just look in pretty good form and shape at the moment.
Jockey Saffie Osborne takes over, who’s had a great season with winners at pretty much all the big festivals. It looks like she could have some nice opportunities at York this week once again.
So I think Aalto is a nice angle in here; pretty reliable and, if he gets a bit of luck in running, then he should go close.
Megan’s Tip: Aalto WIN
York 3.35 – Yorkshire Oaks
Kalpana (11/10 fav) has been a phenomenal mare.
She’s had an incredible season and is back against her own sex as well – this should be an even better opportunity for her.
She’s just in the form of her life and it’s hard to look against her but I think if I was looking for an each-way selection here I’d actually go with Legacy Link (12/1), who I can see bouncing back to form.
She won the Musidora at York earlier in the season before running extremely well, finishing second in the Oaks.
I personally think she was turned around too quickly at Ascot but that was a quick return following on from testing ground in the Oaks at Epsom.
She had a few tack problems at Ascot when, in the stalls, she managed to get her cross noseband off and ran with her mouth open, likely breathing in air, and that could have easily stopped her as well.
Again, I think she can bounce back and is a massive 12/1.
She’s talented and there still could be more to come from her – back to a track that she’s performed well on in previous runs and I think that it could be a nice each-way angle.
Megan’s Tip: Kalpana WIN & Legacy Link E/W
York 4.10 – Galtres Stakes
In the Galtres, A La Prochaine (5/1) has been given a nice bit of time after finishing fourth in the Oaks.
She’s lightly raced and, when I saw her, was quite a big, raw filly still as an individual. Time throughout the season will have helped her fill out and continue development.
She’s shown that she has a good level of ability and I don’t think she would have particularly loved the ground at Epsom.
A flat track could well be better for her as well and it’s very possible that she hasn’t had her optimum conditions yet. Chester was sharp enough for her while, at Epsom, the ground went against her.
So this is a nice return at a lower level. She’s proven that she stays and is still improving physically and could well be the one that’s on the up; she’s quite unexposed in comparison to a few here in this field.
Ralph Beckett has minded her nicely, given her the time she’s needed and I imagine this has been a bit of an aim.
Megan’s Tip: A La Prochaine WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
