Andrew Hawkins
The G1 Yorkshire Oaks for the fillies and mares at a mile and a half rarely attracts a large field but it is also odd for the race to feature only four runners, as it does this year. In the last 40 years, only once has there been a field of four: that came in 2019, when Enable defeated Magical, Lah Ti Dar and South Sea Pearl.
This year’s quartet doesn’t look to have the same collective quality as the four from 2019 but the market leader, dual Oaks winner Minnie Hauk, could potentially cement her place on that pedestal with victory here.
This is her first time taking on the older mares – although there is only one, Group 2 winner Estrange, for her to face – and this presents as an opportunity to enhance her credentials ahead of far tougher assignments. She is expected to tackle the boys in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes next month and is likely to be supplemented for the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.
Estrange, so good at Haydock in May, battled to victory in the Lancashire Oaks at the same track and distance last month. She gives away 9lb to all three of her rivals but, should Minnie Hauk not perform, she appeals as the most likely winner.
Last-start French Group 2 winner Qilin Queen and Ballydoyle second string, G2 Ribblesdale Stakes winner Garden Of Eden, round out a contest that could turn into a tactical affair.
NAP: R5 #3 Rainbows Edge
David Morgan
No jockey has won the G2 Lowther Stakes three years on the bounce but Tom Marquand will attempt the hat-trick aboard the Brian Ellison-trained Wor Faayth. And the filly, despite hailing from a yard not noted for producing high-class, precocious juveniles, is no forlorn hope.
Wor Faayth won her maiden at Hamilton second-up, then shipped across the English Channel to easily win a Listed race at La Teste de Buch under Christophe Soumillon. She has an eye-catching pedigree, too, being out of a full-sister to the brilliant sprinting mare Mecca’s Angel, twice a winner of the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York’s big meeting.
Richard Hughes did bag three Lowthers as a jockey, just not consecutively, and he trains Ryan Moore’s mount America Queen – an impressive winner at her only start – as well as Mood Queen, both owned by Jaber Abdullah who also has the Charlie Johnston-trained Timeforshowcasing. Abdullah has won the Lowther before with Queen’s Logic, Flashy Wings and Lady Of The Desert.
The locally-trained Argentine Tango from the Tim Easterby stable is another to keep a close eye on. She is streetwise and classy, having raced seven times for three wins and four placings, including a couple of seconds behind two of Europe’s top juvenile fillies, Lady Iman and Venetian Sun.
The Ed Walker-trained Royal Fixation split Venetian Sun and Argentine Tango when second at Newmarket last time, while Dandanna overturned Pearl Fortune last start to go unbeaten in two. Throw in the G3 Princess Margaret runner-up Staya as well and Marquand’s filly will have to be every bit as good as she looked in France, and more, if her rider is to get that hat-trick, but she just might be.
NAP: R4 #3 Minnie Hauk
Jack Dawling
Clive Cox arrives at York on the hunt for a third consecutive win in the Harry’s Half Million By Goffs (1200m) for two-year-olds after victories with Dragon Leader in 2023 and Diligently last year.
While his pair might not be at the head of the market of the 22-runner contest on Thursday, both Song Of The Clyde and Wojtek shouldn’t be written off considering the trainer landed the spoils with a 22-1 shot 12 months ago.
Song Of The Clyde got off the mark at the second time of asking at Chester in June and took a step forward at Newbury last month, hitting the line powerfully in second behind the Ralph Beckett-trained Egoli. The son of Sergei Prokofiev may have more to offer today under Rossa Ryan.
The Harry’s Half Million is also a race that trainer Richard Hannon boasts an impressive record in, winning five of the past nine renewals. His most impressive winner of the contest was Mum’s Tipple, who swept to a devastating 11-length win on the Knavesmire.
This year, Hannon will saddle three runners in the contest with G2 Coventry Stakes (1200m) seventh, Raakeb, appearing the most likely winner of the trio.
The son of Ten Sovereigns couldn’t land a blow in the Super Sprint at Newbury over 1000m and should appreciate the return to six furlongs. ∎
NAP: R3 #6 Apiarist
