Rest of York (third day)

The main supporting race is the Group Two Lowther Stakes for 2yo fillies over 6 furlongs at 15.15 CET. Maqaasid (John Gosden/ Richard Hills) is the likely favourite here, having won both her starts, including the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, for which she carries a 3 lbs penalty. Margot Did (Michael Bell/ Hayley Turner) and Imperialistic Diva (Tim Easterby/ David Allan) finished second and fourth in a Group Three at Ascot´s July meeting, while Queen of Spain (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh) is a dangerous Irish raider. Rimth (Paul Cole/ Jamie Spencer) was an easy winner of her only start, but that was back in May at Windsor. A very tricky race, but with the Easterby stable in good form we make Imperialistic Diva, who did not get a clear run last time, our each-way selection.

The listed Galtres Stakes for fillies and mares over 1 1/2 miles at 17.15 looks much more straightforward. John Oxx has an excellent record her and the Aga Khan´s Zarebiya is an obvious choice. The danger is Eldalil, second to Hibaayeb (runs earlier in the Yorkshire Oaks) at Ascot, but a flop in the Irish Oaks; this race is much easier. Ceilidh Hous (Talph Beckett/ Jim Crowly) has not run since being beten a long wa in the Oaks nd is lso dropping in class. The older horses in this race do not seem to be that strong and we think that the 3yo´s can take all the places.

The card opens with the DBC sales race for 2yo´s at 14.45, with 20 juveniles racing for 300,000 pounds (!) prize money. With 20 runners, this looks an absolute minefield for punters. Richard Hannon is a specialist for such races and has 6 runners, with stable jockey Richard Hughes on Cape to Rio, while the unbeaten Wootton Bassett (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) is another possible. There are very few horses in Aidan O´Brien´s yard bought at this sale, but Tom Sawyer (Johnny Murtagh) is one of them and he should not be overlooked, although his Irish form does not amount to much. Basically this is a race best left alone.