Day two of York’s Ebor festival gets underway this afternoon with seven races taking place.
The highlight of the card is the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks; it’s a small but select field this year with just four running. The dual Oaks winner Minnie Hauk heads the betting with Estrange looking her main danger.
Here are three tips, including one in the opening Group 2 Lowther Stakes.
Thursday’s Ebor Festival Tips
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1.50 York – America Queen
America Queen put 12 lengths between herself and her rivals on her debut at Haydock in the style of a smart prospect. A good performance was expected as she was sent off the 11-8 favourite. The quality of the form is questionable, but she’s clearly a filly of considerable talent.Â
She didn’t have to work particularly hard and very quickly stretched clear of her rivals when asked to quicken by her jockey.Â
America Queen’s trainer Richard Hughes has always been able to book Ryan Moore, which is a huge positive.Â
3.00 York – Bullet Point
Handicaps at York are always fiercely competitive and this heritage mile handicap is no exception with 18 runners declared. Even so, the William Haggas-trained Bullet Point stands out.Â
The son of Advertise arrives here 3lb well in, having been raised for his fine second at Ascot last month. With the weights for this race published beforehand, he gets to run off 100 again, which could prove a big advantage. He’s an improving type destined for Group company before long, and has been unlucky not to win on his last two starts.
He chased home the well-fancied My Cloud in the Royal Hunt Cup on his penultimate outing despite a poor draw, and was caught late by Fearnot at Ascot. Those efforts suggest he’s ready to strike, and everything looks in his favour today. It will take a strong performance to stop him.
5.20 York – Dance In The StormÂ
Dance In The Storm was an unlucky loser at Goodwood last time out, narrowly going down to the John and Thady Gosden-trained Mudbir. There was a stewards’ enquiry after a clear coming together between the pair, with officials ruling both equally responsible and that it did not impact the result. Even so, it certainly had an impact on Dance In The Storm’s chances.
That run showed clear improvement from her previous outing at Sandown, where she finished four lengths behind the same rival. She was sent off favourite that day, but ruined her chance by failing to settle in a steadily run race.
At Goodwood, the big field suited her much better, with a stronger pace allowing her to settle and get cover. She faces 17 rivals again here, conditions look ideal, and she can go one better than last time.
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