York Day Two
15:35 Darley Yorkshire Oaks
Although this is not a good race from a betting perspective, it will be fascinating to see the wonderful Enable in action again. She has looked imperious since routing the field in the Investec Oaks at Epsom, following that up with wins in the Irish Oaks at Curragh and then when taking on her elders for the first time, she destroyed a high quality field to win as easily as she liked. She now has a rating of 126, and there is nothing in this field today that should be able to trouble her.
14:25 Sky Bet Lowther Stakes
This is a Group 2 over six furlongs for two-year-old fillies, and it has attracted a quality looking field.
For me, the race revolves around the Wesley Ward trainer Happy Like A Fool. She was beaten into second place when an odds on shot at the Royal meeting and was pulled out when due to run at Goodwood because of the soft conditions. There was a lot to like about her run at Ascot and from her breeding the step up to six furlongs looks like it should suit. Wesley Ward knows exactly what it takes to saddle winners in the UK, and she is a bigger price than I was expecting.
The Roger Varian trained Madeline is the current favourite at around 3/1. She was a very good winner of a Listed race last time out at Newbury, where despite running green towards the end she was well in command. The going at Newbury was good to soft and she hasn't looked as good when running on firmer ground. The worry would be that she gets outpaced on this quicker surface and I think there is at least one too good for her here today.
Actress, trained by Aiden O'Brien, has already had six races this year including winning a Group 3 at Curragh. She ran a good race finishing third behind stablemate Sioux Nation at Curragh in a Group 1 last time out and is a definite player in this. She looks right at home on the firmer ground, and although she is more exposed than some of these, she looks to have a touch of class about her.
The Mark Johnston trainer Threading has only had the one race to date, where she spreadeagled the field in a maiden at Goodwood earlier this month. This is a massive step up in class but not one that Johnston would do without thinking she had a chance. She is by Exceed And Excel who has an excellent record with two-year-olds, however, she is too short in the market in a race of this quality based on what she has achieved so far.
Today selection
14;25 York - Actress - 2 points @ 4/1