15:35 York

Thursday 18 August 2022

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Fillies' & Mares' Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 2m 29.92s

(5)

Alpinista⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 118| D

7/4

Second in this in 2020 and much improved last year, going 5-5 and emulating her grandam with a hat-trick of German Group 1s before making it 6 victories in a row in a good time in Saint-Cloud Group 1 on return. Likeable, tactically-versatile mare and the one to beat back on home soil.

Form: 11111-1

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(6)

La Petite Coco⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 115| D

4/1

Picked up where she left off in 2021 and notched up a fourth straight victory as she made her first start in a Group 1 a winning one in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh 7 weeks ago. Longer trip fine and in the mix despite the penalty.

Form: 12111-1

(7)

Lilac Road²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 111| C

12/1

Value extra when winning the Middleton here in May and shaped well 11 weeks on in the Nassau, likely to have provided the biggest challenge to Nashwa with a better run through and doing her best work at the finish. Bred to appreciate this longer trip and wouldn't dismiss.

Form: 912-513

(1)

Magical Lagoon³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 109| D

8/1

Highly progressive filly who followed up her Ribblesdale victory with a gutsy success in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh, digging deep under pressure. More needed again here but she has a fine attitude and could well be up to the task.

Form: 417-211

(4)

Poptronic^h1²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 107

33/1

Big improver who was value for extra when completing the hat-trick in 10.2f Newcastle Group 3 in June and ran well under a penalty in listed race here next time. More needed up in trip and now has a hood fitted but she may not have reached her limit.

Form: 21-112

(3)

Raclette³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: O Peslier| T: A Fabre| OR: 108| D

10/1

Took another step forward when landing Longchamp Group 2 over this trip 5 weeks ago but that form has taken some hits and this is much tougher upped further in class on her first run outside of France.

Form: 11-8411

(2)

Tuesday⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| BF| D

7/2

Superbly-bred filly who has come into her own this year, placed in the English/Irish 1000 Guineas before shading a tight finish in the Oaks at Epsom. Not ideally placed and not knocked about in the Irish Derby once her chance had gone and better than that. Bold bid expected.

Form: 2-13214

Forecasts

Alpinista (7/4), Tuesday (7/2), La Petite Coco (4/1), Magical Lagoon (8/1), Raclette (10/1), Lilac Road (12/1), Poptronic (33/1)

This looks a warm renewal of the Yorkshire Oaks, with the hugely-likeable ALPINISTA selected to make it 7 wins, and 5 Group 1s, in a row back on home soil. She scored in a good time at Saint-Cloud 7 weeks ago and can boost her Arc claims with another victory at the top level. Oaks-winner Tuesday brings solid Classic form to the table and should bounce back from her Irish Derby disappointment. La Petite Coco won the Pretty Polly in good style and completes the shortlist.