There’s a whopping £100,000 jackpot up for grabs in the ITV7 on Thursday 21st August and it’s dominated by day two of York’s Ebor Festival. Top quality action will light up the Knavesmire and there are some cracking races that feature in the ITV7 and we pick out our selections for the free-to-play game here.
Race 1 – 1.50pm York – Sky Bet Lowther Stakes
Having impressed on debut with a victory at Thirsk, ROYAL FIXATION then finished a gallant runner-up behind the classy Albany Stakes winner Venetian Sun in the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket. Beaten a neck that day, Ed Walker’s starlet will look to go one better in the Lowther Stakes and is a red-hot favourite to return to winning ways. She will face a lively rival in the shape of the Richard Hughes-trained America Queen, but Royal Fixation left a big impression when battling to the line last time out and can build on that effort here.
Race 2 – 2.00pm Lingfield – Get Raceday Ready Restricted Maiden Stakes
A pretty mediocre maiden comes next for race 2 of the ITV7 on Thursday from Lingfield Park on Thursday, but we can safely make it through with Ralph Beckett’s CALCHAS, who has shown promise and should land the prize. Seventh on debut at Newmarket, he improved on that effort when third at Doncaster and the step up to one mile should bring on more improvement and he can break his maiden tag at the third time of asking.
Race 3 – 2.25pm York – Harry’s Half Million By Goffs
Seventh in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June, Richard Hannon’s RAAKEB was last seen finishing a decent sixth place in the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury. Now set for another hugely competitive race, the son of Ten Sovereigns is looking to claim a valuable prize in the 2.25pm at York and he could well prove to be a cut above his rivals. The Group 3 winner Tadej is a warm order for the 6f event, but will have to give 7lbs away to Raakeb, which could prove vital in the closing stages of the contest and the Hannon team can continue their excellent record in this race.
Race 4 – 3.00pm York – Clipper Handicap
Second in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, BULLET POINT then followed that up with another second placed finish in a competitive Ascot handicap and the ultra-progressive William Haggas-trained four-year-old will look to finally get his head in front and is a leading contender for the Clipper Handicap at 3.00pm. The front-running performer has just failed to hold on at Ascot, which is often a track that is tough to lead all the way, but if he can get loose on the front end at York then he could be very tough to catch and looks the solid option in a cracking betting heat.
Race 5 – 3.10pm Lingfield – Get Raceday Ready Fillies’ Handicap
A winner on her last two starts at Windsor and Epsom, TWIRLER will attempt to continue her fine recent record and land the hat-trick of wins in the 3.10pm at Lingfield Park. She was only a neck winner on her last outing and has been given a 4lbs rise, but off top weight for this contest she looks more than capable of continuing her winning run and is the most solid option in a tricky contest.
Race 6 – 3.35pm York – Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks
Albeit a pretty dire field of potentially four runners line up for the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks at 3.35pm, but there is a really class filly taking her chance in the shape of MINNIE HAUK, who is a dual Oaks filly and is one of the starlets of the season for Aidan O’Brien. Having outbattled her stablemate Whirl at Epsom, she then went and outclassed her opponents in the Irish Oaks and taking on the four-year-old Estrange here she should be able to continue her fine season. She is a real hardy filly and continues to blossom for Ballydoyle and at short odds looks the clear winner.
Race 7 – 4.10pm York – British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes
Rainbows Edge and Charlotte’s Web are two leading contender for this Listed event at 4.10pm, but Aidan O’Brien’s BUTTERFLY WINGS looks to have the potential to improve on a fifth placed finish in the Group 1 Irish Oaks last time out. She was no match for some top class fillies in that three-year-old Classic at the Curragh, but dropping back to Listed level here she could well dominate proceedings in the closing stages and looks the value play in a race awash with potential.
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