Our correspondent returns to York on Thursday to set the scene for the second day of the Ebor Festival, where a mix of Group, Handicap and Listed races will be on display. The headline act is Kalpada, the stunning winner of last month’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, who looks set to be an overwhelming favourite in the Group One Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks (3.35) and will likely prove untouchable for the filly Minnie Hauk. Kalpada’s dominance was on full display at Ascot when she faced Andrew Balding’s mare, a multiple Oaks champion trained by Aidan O'Brien. The French‑bred star left her rival a distant 18 lengths behind, underscoring the gulf in class between the two.
This marks the second consecutive under‑performance for Minnie Hauk, and it is hard to imagine her rediscovering the form that would allow her to close such a yawning gap. When she lines up against her own sex, Kalpada appears simply irresistible, rain or shine.
At longer odds, David Menuisier’s Inis Mor is worth a look. The filly has already shown promise by placing in both the French and Irish Oaks, and under the guidance of Oisin Murphy she could continue to improve. The challenge will be steeper, but Murphy’s skill at extracting the best from a horse gives Inis Mor a realistic chance to upset the market.
In the Group Two Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (1.50) at York, Juddmonte’s Irish‑trained filly Livenka looks poised to stamp her authority. Ger Lyons’ daughter of Bated Breath secured a valuable sales race win at Naas by almost four lengths, suggesting she is ready to step up to Pattern company. Although she draws a high post, she is not far off the probable favourite Libertango, the Albany winner who narrowly missed extending her unbeaten run in the Group Two Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.
George Boughey’s filly also sets a high benchmark, but Livenka’s upward trajectory makes her a contender not to be ignored. Another significant player is Andrew Balding’s Moonrise, who was runner‑up in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot before winning the Princess Margaret.
Despite these credentials, Moonrise has been largely overlooked by the ante‑post market, presenting potential value for punters. My husband Tom Marquand and his trainer William Haggas can anticipate a strong showing from Rhapsody in the British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (4.10) at York.
Rhapsody brings solid credentials to this Listed event, boasting a Group placing and a course win. However, I expect Ralph Backett’s A La Prochaine to capitalize on the drop in class. Although lightly raced, A La Prochaine performed admirably in the Cheshire Oaks this spring and later finished fourth in the Epsom Oaks.
After a spell, she appears sounder than the likely favourite Morrophore, whose best performances have come on all‑weather surfaces, and she will need to overcome an eight‑month layoff. Seeing a Group One winner in a sales race is unusual, yet Sun Goddess’s entry in the Harry’s Half Million By Goffs (2.25) at York highlights the depth of talent at Ballydoyle. Aidan O'Brien’s Phoenix Stakes heroine may be offered at very short odds if Libertango repeats her Lowther success. Nevertheless, big‑field sales contests are notoriously unpredictable, and there is value in Clive Cox’s unbeaten Satellite Of Love.
Despite carrying over a stone more than Sun Goddess, Satellite Of Love benefits from a low draw and a progressive running style. I was also impressed by her Newbury novice performance and am keeping an eye on Archie Watson’s filly Vollering, who already possesses valuable black‑type victories in France and brings a wealth of experience to the race. Bullet Point, who returned to form during this month’s Shergar Cup, could improve further in the Sir Kevin Sinfield 7‑In‑7 Grand Finale Handicap (3.00) at York. Last year’s winner was transformed by the introduction of cheekpieces at Ascot, and if the headgear proves equally effective again, Tom Marquand may have another winning ticket.
Ralph Beckett’s ante‑post favourite Centigrade looks like a short‑priced option for a horse stepping up from an all‑weather novice, but I would also like to see Jack Channon’s Mezcala contest the race’s final stages. The Buckingham Palace Stakes winner has not enjoyed the most favorable stall position in stall 17, yet a lucky draw could see him thrive at York. Overall, the day promises a blend of proven Group talent and emerging prospects, with the Yorkshire Oaks likely to be dominated by the scorching form of Kalpada.
The remaining races offer a range of value opportunities for those willing to look beyond the headline names and consider the form, draws, and recent training updates. Hollie Doyle discussed these insights with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, adding further depth to the pre‑race analysis.