Broxbourne got us out of trouble on the opening day with a 6-1 winner. The Ladies take centre stage at York on Thursday with the Yorkshire Oaks and the Lowther Stakes the feature races. The Yorkshire Oaks provides a bit of a conundrum with The Fugue attempting a mile and a half for the fourth time having been beaten on all three previous attempts.
To be fair, she suffered interference in the Oaks and was only beaten a neck in this race a year ago but the general consensus is still that she is better at a mile and a quarter. I was impressed with Wild Coco at Goodwood but connections have always said that she needs a bit of cut and it seemed pretty quick on the Knavesmire on Wednesday. The one to be on could be Venus de Milo who was second in the Irish Oaks to the wayward French filly Chicquita before recording an easy victory at the Curragh.
The two-year-olds have just about got me stumped this season. Nothing stands out in the Lowther Stakes and J Wonder is put up as favourite despite only winning a nursery. However, the way the third home came out and won a decent race at Newmarket at the weekend suggests the form may be worth following.
William Haggas has had a tremendous season, particularly in the big handicaps. He has several horses with chances tomorrow including Queensberry Rules in the mile handicap at 3.05. This horse stayed on well in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot but was outpaced over seven furlongs last time. He looked to me as though he was crying out for a longer trip at Ascot and I’d expect Johnny Murtagh to make plenty of use of him here.
He is closely weighted with Hannon’s Wentworth on that run so looks worth a bet at twice the price. I just cannot get my old friend Prince of Johannes right as I’ve backed him either side of his Sandown victory. He will probably run well again here but I’m put off by his high draw.
Our Obsession made a pleasing start to her campaign when winning at York recently but the Galtres Stakes looks a tough assignment. Lady Cecil’s Songbird isn’t exactly blessed with a devastating turn of foot but she keeps on galloping and that is what you need in a race like this. I’ll stick with her to make amends for her narrow defeat at Newbury.
Nezar looked sure to win last time at Newbury but lost in the final stride. The opening race is about as tough as it gets but 12-1 or thereabouts warrants an each-way bet. Haggas relies on Ghasabah in the closing race and the filly looks sure to go close after a decent run at Newmarket. She had to challenge wide that day and, no sooner had she collared the leader, than Malekat Jamal appeared on her outside to grab the spoils. The stable think a fair bit of Ghasabah and she can regain the winning thread here.
Nezar 1.55 12-1 William Hill
J Wonder 2.30 3-1 Paddy Power
Queensberry Rules 3.05 10-1 William Hill
Venus de Milo 3.40 11-4 William Hill
Songbird 4.20 5-1 Bet365
Ghasabah 4.55 13-2 Boylesports
