Our ambassador returns to preview the second day of the Ebor Festival at York on Thursday, covering a variety of Group, Handicap and Listed events. Kalpana, a brilliant winner of the King George last month, will prove too hot for Minnie Hauk to handle in Thursday's showstopper at York, the Group One Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks (3.35). The great French horse Calandagan simply had no answer to Andrew Balding's mare at Ascot, where Aidan O'Brien's multiple Oaks winner finished a disappointing 18 lengths adrift.
That was the second time in a row Minnie Hauk has put in an underwhelming performance and I just can't see her re-capturing her best form in time to bridge that yawning gap. Back against her own sex, Kalpana is simply irresistible, even if the forecast rain arrives. At bigger odds, I hope to see David Menuisier's Inis Mor maintain the progress that has seen her make the frame in both the French and Irish Oaks.
This is tougher still, but Oisin Murphy knows how to get the best out of her. Juddmonte's Irish-trained filly Livenka looks ready to stamp her class on the Group Two Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (1.50) at York on Thursday. Ger Lyons' daughter of Bated Breath booked her place in this line-up by taking a valuable sales race at Naas by nearly four lengths, suggesting she's ready to step into Pattern company.
She's drawn high but isn't far away from the probable favourite Libertango, the Albany winner who only narrowly lost her unbeaten record in the Group Two Duchess Of Cambridge at Newmarket. George Boughey's filly sets the standard, but Livenka arrives on an upward curve and looks too smart to ignore, while Andrew Balding's Moonrise is another big player. She was second in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot before winning the Princess Margaret yet has been largely overlooked in the Ante-post markets.
My husband Tom (Marquand) and his boss William Haggas can expect a big run from Rhapsody in the British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (4.10) at York - but she has one filly in particular to be fearful of. Rhapsody brings ideal credentials to this Listed race with a Group placing and a course win to her name. However, I'm expecting Ralph Backett's A La Prochaine to take full advantage of this drop-in class.
Still lightly raced, she ran well in the Cheshire Oaks in the spring but stepped forward again to be fourth in the Oaks itself at Epsom on her latest start. She's been freshened up since then and looks a much sounder proposition than the likely favourite Morrophore, who's best form has been achieved on the All-Weather. She must also overcome an eight-month absence.
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