There’s a whopping £50,000 jackpot up for grabs for Thursday’s ITV7 which will see some of the premier races included from York’s Ebor Festival. On what is set to be another stunning day’s action on the Knavesmire, we pick out our selections for what will be a spectacular day.
Race 1 – 1.50pm York – Sky Bet Lowther Stakes
Third in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June, Aidan O’Brien’s HEAVENS GATE finally got her head in front last time out when landing victory in a Naas maiden. That is sure to give the Ballydoyle filly a real boost in confidence and she can kick on land Group success in the Lowther Stakes at 1:50pm. She will have to get the better of the classy Leovanni, who was a fine winner of the Queen Mary Stakes at the Royal meeting, but she’s not been seen since, so is worth taking on with the O’Brien charge.
Race 2 – 2.25pm York – Harry’s Half Million By Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes
Adrian Murray’s ARIZONA BLAZE ran a stormer when third in the Norfolk Stakes and he’s been a real model of consistency at Group level having finished third in the Railway Stakes and Phoenix Stakes. This is arguably his easier test for a long time, but there’s still a lively rival in the shape of Maw Lam, while An Outlaw’s Grace is another notable rival. Arizona Blaze is a top notch colt and he can land this valuable prize with aplomb.
Race 3 – 2.45pm Newton Abbot – Happy Birthday Jo Handicap Chase
We switch to the National Hunt sphere for race 3 in Thursday’s ITV7 and it’s down to Newton Abbot for a competitive-looking handicap chase. The Christian Williams-trained PRINCE CLENI was a taking one-and-a-quarter length winner of a Southwell contest back in June off a mark of 80 and he lines up off a 5lbs higher mark here. He had previously finished second at Fontwell, so he’s been in superb form this summer, so has to be the one.
Race 4 – 3.00pm York – Clipper Handicap
Jack Channon’s METAL MERCHANT ran a fine race when fourth in the International Stakes handicap at Ascot last time out and the four-year-old can build on that fine run and land victory in the Clipper Handicap at 3:00pm. He’s eye-catchingly been dropped 1lb by the handicapper, so a mark of 96 looks very feasible in what is a hugely competitive 6f event.
Race 5 – 3.20pm Newton Abbot – Visit Our Antiques And Collectables Fair Handicap Hurdle
Second at Worcester on his last outing under the stewardship of Harriet Dickin, SERGEANT has since switched to the yard of Anthony Charlton and he looks capable of landing victory in this pretty mediocre handicap hurdle at 3.20pm. The seven-old has been given a 3lbs rise for that victory, so he will need to improve on that effort, but there’s not much competition in this event and he looks capable of landing the prize.
Race 6 – 3.35pm York – Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks
John & Thady Gosden’s EMILY UPJOHN ran no sort of race when sixth in the Nassau Stakes, but was always badly positioned throughout that contest, so that run has to be discounted. She’s one win from one run at York having won the Musidora Stakes earlier in her career, so she shows she can act on the track. A former Group 1 winner of the Coronation Cup, the five-year-old mare will have some lively rivals in the shape of stablemate Queen Of The Pride and Aidan O’Brien’s Content, but if Emily Upjohn can bring her A game then she has to be the one to beat.
Race 7 – 4.10pm York – British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes
Sea Just In Time is a short-priced favourite for the Listed event at York at 4:10pm having won a novice stakes contest impressively last time out, but she is worth taking on in this event. Simon & Ed Crisford’s FAIRY GLEN was beaten by Divina Grace last time out at Newmarket, but she’s more than capable of turning that form around as Divina Grace will carry a penalty in this event, so she has a tougher task ahead of her. Available at double-figured odds at the moment, Fairy Glen will need to improve, but she’s capable of continuing her progression and can land the victory.
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