The Yorkshire Oaks is the feature race on the second day of York’s Ebor festival and this year’s renewal of the Group 1 looks like a fascinating clash between the generations. Check out our runner-by-runner guide to the contest, alongside bet365’s latest offer where new customers can claim £50 in free bets when they bet £10.
All odds are bet365 – Prices correct at the time of publish
1. ALPINISTA (Sir Mark Prescott, Luke Morris) 2/1
Classy mare who’s now won her last six starts, racking up a hat-trick of wins in German Group 1s last season; Arc winner Torquator Tasso behind on one occasion. Making her seasonal debut when running out an impressive winner of the Prix de Saint-Cloud last month, despite connections feeling she’d come on for the run. Won’t be inconvenienced by this quicker ground (has won on Firm previously) and was a 33/1 second in this race back in 2020. Highest-rated in the line-up and looks like the one to beat.
2. LA PETITE COCO (Paddy Twomey, Billy Lee) 5/1
Has excelled since joining this shrewd stable, producing impressive form figures of 121111 ending last season with a Group 2 Curragh win. Back with a bang when claiming the Group 1 Pretty Polly on seasonal debut, where she shaped as though she’d appreciate getting back over this 1m4f trip. Only her ninth start (seventh for this stable) so retains scope for improvement, but these ground conditions are a concern as her best form has come on softer.
3. LILAC ROAD (William Haggas, Tom Marquand) 11/1
Has shown improved form from 3 to 4, claiming Group 2 honours in the Middleton over an extended 1m2f here in May. Not far off that level when beaten just over 2l by Nashwa in the Nassau last time out. Returning to this track is an obvious plus, and her pedigree suggests that she’s worth a try at this 1m4f trip (dam stayed this far), but on bare figures, she’s got something to find with the best of these and this looks a stronger race than the Nassau.
4. MAGICAL LAGOON (Jessica Harrington, Shane Foley) 7/2
Always bred to improve for the step up to middle distances and that’s certainly been the case as a 3yo, building on a reappearance 1m2f second to land the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot and Irish Oaks over 1m4f the last twice. The latter race has proven quite a useful guide to identifying winners of this event down the years, but that Irish Oaks form has received quite significant knocks since (second, third and fourth all beaten favourites on their next starts). Warrants respect given that she’s 2-2 over this trip, but this looks by far her toughest test to date.
5. POPTRONIC (Karl Burke, Sam James) 25/1
Career form figures currently read 21112, her RPRs improving on each occasion. Jumped from novice company to Group company with success at Newcastle in June, but that form’s been let down since (runners to have come out of it a combined 0-9). Finished a respectable second in an extended 1m2f Listed race here last time, a run worth upgrading as she raced keenly early. Hood now goes on in an attempt to get her to settle better, but this is a big jump in class, and she’s got plenty to find on these terms.
6. RACLETTE (Andre Fabre, Olivier Peslier) 10/1
French raider who comes into this with a respectable 4-6 career record. Improved for the step up to 1m4f when landing the Group 2 Prix de Malleret at Longchamp last time, for all that it was a little disappointing to see the second let that form down in a Deauville Group 3 subsequently. Out of a US Grade 1 winner, so there are reasons to believe that she could be up to this level, but this is by far the quickest ground that she’s faced and she’s up against it on these terms.
7. TUESDAY (Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore) 4/1
Placed in the English and Irish 1000 Guineas earlier this season before deservedly claiming Classic glory in the Oaks, when all out to hold off Emily Upjohn. Took on the colts in the Irish Derby subsequently, but only managed fourth there beaten over 10l. Clearly wasn’t at her best at the Curragh for whatever reason and back against her own sex it wouldn’t be a shock to see her bounce back to form, albeit there’s a niggling suspicion that this mightn’t be the strongest crop of 3yo fillies.
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Verdict
Sir Mark Prescott’s ALPINISTA comes into this chasing a seven-timer and is currently trading a single-figure price for the Arc. She chased home Love in this race back in 2020 but comes into this in significantly better form, claiming the Prix de Saint-Cloud on last month’s seasonal reappearance. The highest-rated runner in the line-up and versatile in regard to ground, she can claim this prize before heading to Longchamp. Paddy Twomey’s La Petite Coco is on a similarly upward curve to the selection and should benefit from this return to 1m4f. Whilst she’s feared, however, this ground will be quicker than she’d likely prefer. This year’s 3yo fillies form has been a little up and down but Tuesday, the Oaks winner, would certainly warrant respect if bouncing back from a modest Irish Derby run.
- ALPINISTA
- La Petite Coco
- Tuesday
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