Best bets for Day Two of the Ebor Festival at York

Hands-up, okay, City Of Troy does appear to be a very good horse but I am still yet to be convinced he is one of the all-time greats despite a track record yesterday; he won again but again he hasn't made me go wow! Frankel was exceptional we all know that, but the likes of Sea The Stars and Ace Impact last season, as well as Dubai Millennium and Shergar had that ability to make you take a sharp intake of breath, you knew you were watching something special; for whatever reason City Of Troy just hasn't done that to me yet. 

Anyhow on to Thursday's horse racing on the Knavesmire. The Yorkshire Oaks is the main race of the day. The weather was on the turn in Yorkshire yesterday evening and the going remains officially good-firm on the Knavesmire with the chance of a shower today.

Best bets for the horse racing at York Thursday

The 6f Group Two Sky Bet Lowther Stakes for the two-year-old Fillies kicks the day off at 1.50. The lads of Coolmore had a very good day Wednesday and their Heavens Gate has to be considered. She has been tried at Group level twice already, finishing third on both occasions, and could win this but I wonder if she isn't quite good enough. There has been a little money for her following the teams success yesterday. Leovanni has won both her starts to date. She has a penalty to carry for her 5f G.2 Queen Mary win but she was impressive there and you would think likely to improve again for a step-up in trip this six-furlongs. Karl Burke appears confident saying this week “She worked exceptionally well last Friday and I’m very happy with her and I think we go there with a major chance. I think she’s a deserved favourite.” Richard Brown, Wathnan Racing European racing adviser added “We’re looking forward to seeing her back, we gave her a little break after Ascot, with this the obvious next target. Karl and the team seem to be happy with her. She’s up in trip and has to carry a penalty, but she’s in good form and we’re looking forward to seeing her on course again. It’s a fast six furlongs at York, so I don’t think the step up in trip will be an issue.” I have the 5-2 this morning. 

The 1m4f Group One Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks at 3.35 should be a decent contest. I am told by the stato's that three-year-olds have won eight of the last ten renewals with Aidan O'Brien training five of those so you simply have to consider Content and Port Fairy. You Got To Me was ahead of them both when winning the G.1 1m4f Irish Oaks last month and the Ralph Beckett-trained filly clearly has to be respected but I think Content, who I tipped at the Curragh, can gain revenge here if ridden a little more positively. The Irish Oaks was her first try at the trip and Moore rode her to give her every chance of staying; now we know she does surely he won't be as far back in the field early here. I am on the filly from Ballydoyle at the 3-1 this morning. Emily Upjohn and Queen Of The Pride are good but look to have a hard task here giving the Classic generation 9lb. 

The 7f sensory-junction.co.uk Autism Awareness EBF Stallions Nursery at 4.45 looks wide-open on paper but there is one in here that I think should be backed. Age Of Gold made an impressive winning debut over six-furlongs at Yarmouth in a Novice before a fair seventh in the 7f Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot at a time the stable of Charlie Appleby wasn't really firing; both runs on good-firm ground. By Frankel out of Promised Money, he is a full-brother to Group-placed 6f winner Fivethousandtoone, one I have tipped a few times, as well as a half-brother to three other winners. Gelded since the Royal meeting an opening mark of 89 means he has top-weight but improvement is very much expected and he should be able to take full advantage of his opening mark. I have 9-2. 

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