15:35 York

Thursday 24 August 2023

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

Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks (Fillies' And Mares' Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 2m 25.86s

(4)

Al Husn²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 115

6/1

Smart filly who made it 7 wins from her last 8 starts when landing a first Group 1 in Nassau Stakes at Goodwood 3 weeks ago, having the run of the race but responding well. Stamina to prove stepping up in trip but must be respected all the same.

Form: 11-2111

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(3)

Free Wind¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 111| BF| C| D

5/1

Very talented mare who enhanced her fine strike rate in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes here (10f) on return. Reportedly ran flat when fifth in Hardwicke at Royal Ascot next time and easy to forgive latest run on bottomless ground. Needs considering.

Form: 11/1-154

(7)

Poptronic⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 108| D

25/1

Big improver in first half of 2022, completing her hat-trick in 10f Newcastle Group 3 last summer. Took form to another level when edging out Sea Silk Road in Lancashire Oaks (12/1) at Haydock (11.8f, good to firm) 47 days ago but struggled in this last year.

Form: 274-331

(10)

Rosscarbery³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 110| D

14/1

Smart mare who holds her form well but hasn't proved good enough at the top level a few times now.

Form: 245-142

(2)

Sea Silk Road⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 108| BF| D

16/1

Better than ever when landing the Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock before good neck second of 8 to Poptronic in Lancashire Oaks there (11.8f, good to firm) 47 days ago. Bit to find at this level, however.

Form: 243-612

(8)

Stay Alert^t⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Morrison| OR: 112| D

18/1

Very talented when things drop right and produced a career best when runner-up in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh (10f) in July, badly hampered by the winner in the final 1f. Big shout on that form but suspicion is this trip is beyond her optimum (free-going sort).

Form: 1510-52

(1)

Bluestocking³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 112

4/1

Overcame inexperience to make a winning debut in Salisbury novice last autumn. Shaped well when placed behind Warm Heart in Newbury listed race/the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot (1½m, good to firm) before collared only close home by Savethelastdance in the Irish Oaks. Sure to be in the mix again.

Form: 1-232

(5)

Novakai³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: K R Burke| OR: 107| D

10/1

Runner-up in Fillies' Mile at Newmarket at 2 yrs and fine second behind subsequent Oaks winner Soul Sister in Musidora here on her comeback run. Made no impression in Prix de Diane next time but took advantage of drop in class in listed race on July Course. More needed back at this level, however.

Form: 522-201

(6)

Savethelastdance³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114| BF| D

10/3

Rapid improver who won the Cheshire Oaks by a remarkable 22 lengths. Beaten favourite in the Oaks at Epsom next time but showed plenty of guts to win the Irish Oaks at the Curragh (soft) since. Highly respected but probably wants rain.

Form: 5-1121

(9)

Warm Heart³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| D

9/1

Galileo filly who had Bluestocking behind her for a second time when completing a hat-trick in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot (1½m, good to firm). Excuses in the Irish Oaks since and type to bounce back.

Form: 4-21115

Forecasts

Savethelastdance (10/3), Bluestocking (4/1), Free Wind (5/1), Al Husn (6/1), Warm Heart (9/1), Novakai (10/1), Rosscarbery (14/1), Sea Silk Road (16/1), Stay Alert (18/1), Poptronic (25/1)

It could be worth chancing Middleton winner FREE WIND, who has had excuses on her last 2 starts and arguably has her ideal conditions here. This looks a wide-open renewal, however, with the dangers headed by the Irish Oaks 1-2, with Bluestocking taken to reverse placings with Savethelastdance on this faster ground.