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 offer. Among the highlights is the Group One Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks (3.35) – a showdown that should see last month’s King George winner Kalpana prove far too hot for the French‑trained Minnie Hauk. Kalpana’s dominance was on full display at Ascot when she faced Andrew Balding’s filly Calandagan.
The French‑bred, who had previously been a multiple Oaks winner for Aidan O’Brien, was left in the dust, finishing a disappointing 18 lengths behind the champion. This marks the second consecutive lackluster effort from Minnie Hauk, and it is hard to imagine her rediscovering the form that would close the yawning gap to Kalpada’s scorching pace. Even a rain‑showered forecast is unlikely to blunt Kalpana’s appeal when she lines up against her own sex.
At longer odds, there is a chance to back David Menuisier’s Inis Mor, who has been making steady progress in both the French and Irish Oaks. The race will be a stern test, but jockey Oisin Murphy has shown he can coax the best out of her when the going gets tough. In the Group Two Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (1.50) at York, Juddmonte’s Irish‑trained filly Livenka looks ready to stamp her class on the field. Ger Lyons’ daughter of Bated Breath earned her spot by cruising to a four‑length victory in a valuable sales race at Naas, indicating she is primed for a step up to Pattern level.
Although she draws a high post, she is not far behind the probable favourite Libertango – the Albany winner who narrowly missed extending her unbeaten record in the Group Two Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket. George Boughey’s filly also sets a high benchmark, but Livenka’s upward trajectory makes her a contender that cannot be ignored.
Meanwhile, Andrew Balding’s Moonrise is another serious player. After a second‑place finish in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and a win in the Princess Margaret, Moonrise has been largely overlooked by the ante‑post market, presenting a potential value bet. My husband Tom (Marquand) and his trainer William Haggas can look forward to a strong run from Rhapsody in the British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (4.10) at York – though she will have one particular filly to watch.
Rhapsody boasts an impressive résumé, including a Group placing and a course win, but I expect Ralph Backett’s A La Prochaine to seize the advantage in this drop‑in class. A La Prochaine, still lightly raced, performed well in the Cheshire Oaks this spring and then stepped up to finish fourth in the Oaks at Epsom on her most recent start.
She has been freshened since that effort and appears a sounder option than the likely favourite Morrophore, whose best form has come on all‑weather surfaces and who must also overcome an eight‑month layoff. It is unusual to see a Group One winner entered in a sales race, yet the presence of Sun Goddess 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 champion is likely to go off as a very short‑priced favourite if her Albany‑victor Libertango also triumphs in the Lowther.
Big‑field sales races are notoriously unpredictable, so there is value to be found in Clive Cox’s unbeaten Satellite Of Love. Carrying over a stone more than Sun Goddess, she draws a low post and has a progressive form profile that could see her finish strongly. I was also impressed by her Newbury novice performance and am keeping an eye on Archie Watson’s seasoned filly Vollering, who has already secured valuable black‑type in France and now brings a wealth of experience to the York meeting.
Bullet Point returned to form in a timely fashion during this month’s Shergar Cup and could improve further in the Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 In 7 Grand Finale Handicap (3.00) at York. Last year’s winner was clearly transformed by the introduction of cheekpieces at Ascot, and if the headgear proves equally effective this time, Tom (Marquand) will have another winning prospect.
Ralph Beckett’s ante‑post favourite Centigrade appears a short‑priced option for a horse stepping out of an all‑weather novice campaign, but I would also like to see Jack Channon’s Mezcala contest the finish. The Buckingham Palace winner has not enjoyed the best draw from stall 17, yet a lucky run at York could see him capitalize on his proven ability. Overall, the day promises a blend of proven Group performers, rising stars, and intriguing outsiders across a variety of distances and conditions. Hollie Doyle’s insights, shared during her interview with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, add an extra layer of expertise to the pre‑race analysis, and her perspective will no doubt influence many punters as they weigh their options for the Yorkshire Oaks and the surrounding fixtures.