You Got To Me has been tipped to win the Gr 1 Yorkshire Oaks (Racingfotos.com)
At The Races
1 2:50 PM – Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2)
Queen Mary winner Leovanni is aiming to protect her unbeaten record and she sets a lofty standard for the others to aim at with a rating of 106. Karl Burke’s juvenile holds obvious claims, but it may pay to side with HEAVENS GATE, who has shown improvement with each run to date and was impressive in her victory at Naas last time. The daughter of Churchill has plenty of speed and this looks like an ideal opportunity to gain her first Group success. Betty Clover is the pick of the remainder.
Top Tip: Heavens Gate (4)
Watch out for: Leovanni (1)
2 3:25 PM – Harry’s Half Million By Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes (GBB Race)
Maw Lam has made the frame at Group and Listed level in two of her last three outings and that level of performance gives her every chance of taking this valuable prize. However, the vote goes to ARIZONA BLAZE, who arguably brings the best form to the contest after finishing third in a strong renewal of the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh earlier in the month. Adrian Murray’s juvenile has plenty of experience under his belt and could put that to good use. Territorial Knight and Against The Wind are others to keep an eye on.
Top Tip: Arizona Blaze (1)
Watch out for: Maw Lam (20)
3 4:00 PM – Clipper Handicap (Heritage Handicap)
Thunder Run was a beaten favourite when third on his handicap debut at Thirsk earlier in the month, but remains unexposed and is likely to have plenty more to offer. However, the vote goes to the in-form ELNAJMM, who continues to go from strength to strength after scoring at Ascot last month and has proved a different proposition since being gelded last year. William Haggas’ four-year-old could continue his rapid progression and go in again, while New Image and James McHenry can fight it out for the minor honours.
Top Tip: Elnajmm (4)
Watch out for: Thunder Run (15)
4 4:35 PM – Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks (Fillies’ & Mares’ Group 1) (British Champions Series)
Three-year-olds have won eight of the last 10 renewals of this prestigious fillies and mares showpiece and, having been responsible for five of those heroines, Aidan O’Brien’s trusted formula for success has been formidable. Content and Port Fairy are two high-class contenders for O’Brien this time around, with the former readily suggested as the Ballydoyle flag-bearer. However, both were outgunned by YOU GOT TO ME in the Irish Oaks last month and it is the Ralph Beckett-trained filly who appeals most from the Classic generation. The rapidly improving Queen Of The Pride has the younger legs and shades the stoic Emily Upjohn as the main contender for the Gosdens on this occasion.
Top Tip: You Got To Me (8)
Watch out for: Content (5)
5 5:10 PM – British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (Fillies’ & Mares’ Listed)
William Haggas won this race in 2013, 2014 and again last year, which all bodes well for the progressive SEA JUST IN TIME, who is capable of making a big impression now she steps back up in class. The holder of a couple of Group 1 entries, the daughter of Sea The Stars appears to have an outstanding chance here. Nakheel was two places ahead of the selection when third at Goodwood in June but failed to build on that at Newmarket last time. With that in mind, Karmology may pose a bigger threat given her course record.
Top Tip: Sea Just In Time (11)
Watch out for: Karmology (5)
6 5:45 PM – sensory-junction.co.uk Autism Awareness EBF Stallions Nursery
AGE OF GOLD scored in the style of a smart prospect over 6f at Yarmouth on his debut in May, prior to finishing seventh in the Chesham at Royal Ascot. Having been gelded since, he gets the tentative nod to score on his nursery debut. Original Outlaw looked likely to score before being caught by his stablemate when second in a similar event at Goodwood three weeks ago, and he can emerge as the main danger upped 6lb. Dividend and Seagolazo are others for the shortlist.
Top Tip: Age Of Gold (1)
Watch out for: Original Outlaw (4)
7 6:20 PM – British Ebf Fillies’ Handicap (Heritage Handicap)
Alfa Kellenic has been in great form this year and she must be on the shortlist once again. That said, ELIM gets the vote as she was an excellent third over a mile in a Pontefract Listed race last month, just giving way in the closing stages and this step back to 7f could be right up her street. Although a mark of 92 is tough enough, she may well be capable of defying it here. Key To Cotai was forced to endure a luckless passage when fourth over 7f at Haydock recently and she merits respect off an unchanged mark.
Top Tip: Elim (3)
Watch out for: Alfa Kellenic (11)
