Burke's outsider worth backing at York

The billing on day two of the Ebor Festival is topped by the Yorkshire Oaks. This historic Group One has been won by many outstanding fillies and, unlike the Juddmonte International on day one, a healthy field of ten has been entered in Thursday's renewal.

Here's our free guide to the Yorkshire Oaks including our best betting tips.

2023 Yorkshire Oaks Odds

2023 Yorkshire Oaks Tips

Savethelastdance and Bluestocking will clash again, following their excellent battle in the Irish Oaks. As three-year-olds, the market leaders will be getting plenty of weight from their elders. However, good-to-firm ground is far from ideal for Savethelastdance, while Bluestocking endured a hard race on her first trip to Ireland and she hasn't been the easiest filly to keep sound.

Free Wind has to bounce back from a poor effort on heavy ground at Glorious Goodwood earlier this month. Al Husn, who claimed a shock victory in the Nassau Stakes during that meeting, will be stepping up to a mile-and-a-half for the first time on the back of a mere three-week turnaround.

Given the doubts surrounding the fancied runners, and some of the others further down the betting, I'm going to have an each-way punt on the talented NOVAKAI, who could be a filly worth following during the second half of the season.

A runner-up in both the May Hill and the Fillies' Mile as a juvenile, Karl Burke's star placed second again on her reappearance in the Middleton Stakes, losing out to Soul Sister, who went on to win the Oaks at Epsom. Novakai then travelled over to France for the Prix de Diane, where she was posted wide from a tricky draw and could never get involved in the contest.

Burke then decided a step up in trip was needed and Novakai proceeded to blitz her rivals in the Aphrodite Stakes at Newmarket, despite clearly idling once she hit the front. Sam James' mount was entitled to win that Listed race as easily as she did, but there's nothing like a confidence-boosting victory leading into a big race.

Novakai has winning form on firm ground and handled the Knavesmire well on her reappearance. Champion jockey, William Buick comes in for the ride on Thursday and he has previous aboard Novakai, having ridden Burke's filly in the Fillies' Mile last autumn.