After City Of Troy’s sizzling gun-to-tape victory in the Juddmonte International on Wednesday, we are set for more world-class action at the Ebor Festival at York racecourse.
It is Ladies Day and appropriately the feature on the card is the Gr1 Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks (16h35). This Oaks is open to fillies and mares three years and older.
2022 Oaks runner-up and course winner Emily Upjohn, pictured above, seeks redemption after a disappointing sixth at Goodwood in the Nassau Stakes behind Opera Singer.
The five-year-old Gosden trained mare is joined in the eight-strong line-up by her stablemate Queen Of The Pride, the mount of Oisin Murphy.
Very much on the up, the four-year-old mare was a convincing winner of the Gr2 Lancashire Oaks last month.
However, the three-year-olds look well in here receiving a 9lbs age allowance. The first two home in the Irish Oaks, You Got Me winning under a great ride by Hector Crouch for Ralph Beckett is taken on once more by the Ballydoyle trained Content.
The latter was a staying-on second after waiting for racing room in the home straight and will bid to exact her revenge under Ryan Moore.
The supporting feature, the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (14h50) sees nine juvenile fillies contest the 6-furlong Group 2.
Racegoers will be looking forward to the Ebor Festival at York (Pic – York Racecourse)
Wathnan Racing’s unbeaten Queen Mary winner Leovanni must confirm her last run with the fourth-placed Miss Lamai, the winner of a Listed race at Naas last time.
Celandine, who was last seen finishing fourth in a strong running of the Gr3 Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood against the boys, will also contest. She cannot be ignored together with the Aidan O’Brien raider Heavens Gate who was super impressive at Naas earlier this month.
Friday sees the running of the Gr1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (16h35) run over the ‘flying’ five-furlongs.
Plenty of speed on offer with Aussie raider and Kings Stand heroine Asfoora set for a rematch with Big Evs after her narrow loss in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood.
Bradsell last year’s King’s Stands winner who won his seasonal return at Deauville earlier this month, Believing, an unlucky third in the King George now gets the services of Ryan Moore; and the inform Ed Bethell trained Regional are all top-class five-furlong specialists.
Put them all together on fast ground and this looks a high-quality renewal.
The racing starts at 14h50.
