York Ebor Festival: Key Runners to Watch on Day Two

The York Ebor Festival continues on Thursday with a strong card featuring three Group races, a major sales contest and a competitive handicap.

With quality horses lining up across the afternoon, there are several runners expected to attract plenty of attention as the meeting continues.

Kalpana fancied for Yorkshire Oaks

Kalpana heads the field for Thursday’s Group One Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks (3.35), having produced an impressive performance to win the King George at Ascot last month.

Andrew Balding’s mare proved too strong for Calandagan on that occasion, while Aidan O’Brien’s multiple Oaks winner Minnie Hauk finished 18 lengths behind her.

Minnie Hauk has now endured two disappointing performances in succession and faces the challenge of rediscovering her best form back against her own sex.

Inis Mor could also play a part for David Menuisier. The filly has finished in the frame in both the French and Irish Oaks and will take another step forward at Group One level, with Oisin Murphy booked to ride.

Livenka steps up for Lowther Stakes

Juddmonte’s Livenka makes the move into Pattern company in the Group Two Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (1.50), having impressed when winning a valuable sales race at Naas by nearly four lengths.

The Ger Lyons-trained filly is a daughter of Bated Breath and arrives at York with an unbeaten reputation to protect.

She faces a strong field, including Albany winner Libertango, who narrowly lost her unbeaten record when finishing second in the Group Two Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.

George Boughey’s filly sets a high standard, while Andrew Balding’s Moonrise is another leading contender after finishing second in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot before winning the Princess Margaret Stakes.

A La Prochaine brings Oaks form to Galtres

The British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (4.10) provides another intriguing contest, with Rhapsody among those bringing strong form to the Listed race.

The William Haggas-trained filly has already recorded a course victory and a Group placing, but A La Prochaine could prove difficult to beat following her fourth-place finish in the Oaks at Epsom.

Ralph Beckett’s filly had previously performed well in the Cheshire Oaks before stepping forward again at Epsom. She has been freshened up since and now drops in class.

Morrophore is another horse expected to feature prominently, although her best form has come on the All-Weather and she must overcome an eight-month absence.

Sun Goddess leads strong sales race field

The Harry’s Half Million By Goffs (2.25) showcases the depth of quality available at Ballydoyle, with Group One winner Sun Goddess taking her place in the field.

Aidan O’Brien’s Phoenix Stakes heroine brings significant form into the sales race and could be a strong favourite, particularly if Albany winner Libertango succeeds in the Lowther Stakes earlier in the afternoon.

However, big-field sales races can produce surprises, with Clive Cox’s unbeaten Satellite Of Love offering an interesting alternative.

She has over a stone to find with Sun Goddess but has a favourable low draw and an unexposed profile following an impressive victory in a Newbury novice.

Vollering is another runner worth keeping an eye on after already securing valuable black type in France.

Bullet Point bids for another York success

Bullet Point returns to action in the Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 In 7 Grand Finale Handicap (3.00), having bounced back to form at the Shergar Cup earlier this month.

The Ralph Beckett-trained runner was transformed by the first-time application of cheekpieces at Ascot and will bid to reproduce that improvement at York.

Centigrade is another prominent contender but faces a step up from an All-Weather novice.

Mezcala could also be involved at the business end of the contest. The Buckingham Palace Stakes winner has been handed stall 17, but a favourable run through the race could see him make his presence felt.

Enjoy the York Ebor Festival in hospitality

Friday and Saturday provide another excellent opportunity to experience the York Ebor Festival with clients, colleagues or guests.

Eventmasters offers official hospitality experiences at York, combining premium dining and comfortable surroundings with the chance to enjoy some of the biggest races of the season.

With Group One action, leading two-year-olds and competitive handicaps on the card, Thursday promises another memorable day at York.