Ebor Festival Day 2 Tips: Love is all you need in the Yorkshire Oaks?
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They’ll be All Out For Love on Day 2 at the Ebor Festival, as Aidan O’Brien’s dual-classic winner continues her preparation for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the Yorkshire Oaks.
The three-year-old has been imperious so far this term and will go off as the heavy favourite in the feature race on an afternoon which also includes the Lowther Stakes and the Clipper Logistics Handicap.
As always, we’re on hand to preview the three main contests in our Ebor Festival Day 2 Tips.
RACE OF THE DAY – YORKSHIRE OAKS – YORK, 15:15
Love is a battlefield according to Pat Benatar, but this looks as though it could be more of a stroll in the park for the O’Brien filly as she bids to add to her wins in the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks.
The daughter of Galileo produced one of the all-time great Epsom performances in her latest victory, and she’s one of the hottest favourites at York for a reason.
If she turns up at anywhere near her best, it could be a question of how many lengths she wins by, rather than whether she wins at all.
That leaves the remaining five contenders playing for places, with One Voice potentially the one to side with after her battling effort when runner-up in the Nassau at Glorious Goodwood.
Jessica Harrington’s inmate was only narrowly touched off by Prix de Diane winner Fancy Blue on that occasion, and she may find only one too tough again here.
NEXT BEST – LOWTHER STAKES – YORK, 13:45
Local trainers have a good recent record in the Lowther and while William Haggas is based at Newmarket, the proud Yorkshireman appears to have a fantastic chance with Sacred.
The Cheveley Park-owned filly won on debut and then finished runner-up to impressive American raider Campanelle in a red-hot renewal of the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot.
Those two were comfortably ahead of the third-placed horse on that occasion and we reckon it’s probably the best form on offer here, with the step up to 6f also likely to suit.
Santosha looks set to be the biggest danger after coming home third behind Dandalla in the Duchess of Cambridge and then subsequently landing a Group 3 of her own.
ONE TO WATCH – CLIPPER LOGISTICS HANDICAP – YORK, 14:45
Hamdan Al Maktoum has hoovered up plenty of similar races to the Clipper Logistics Handicap already this season, and there’s every chance he could get on the scoresheet once again with Montatham.
The four-year-old has improved to the tune of 15lb since undergoing a gelding operation and after finishing runner-up in the Royal Hunt Cup, he won the Coral Charge last time out.
He’s been slapped with another 4lb rise for that success, but he’s been drawn handily, and we think there’s more improvement still to come with Jim Crowley on-board.
Elsewhere, Prompting is a course and distance winner who warrants respect after completing the hat-trick in the Golden Mile at Goodwood, while Top Rank remains unbeaten but must overcome 12lb hike in the weights.
THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, EBOR FESTIVAL 2 DAY SCHEDULE
13:45 York – Lowther Stakes (Group 2)
14:15 York – Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes
14:45 York– Clipper Logistics Handicap
15:15 York – Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1)
15:45 York – Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (Listed)
16:20 York – EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap
16:50 York – British Stallion Studies EBF Fillies’ Handicap
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
