Yorkshire Oaks tips and runners guide to York 3.35 on Thursday

news.paddypower.com

24 August 2023

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Nassau scorer Al Husn heads the field of 10 for the Yorkshire Oaks, the feature race on day two of the Ebor Festival at York.

The Dubawi filly steps up to 14 furlongs in her bid for a fourth consecutive victory but she faces the toughest test of her career as a cracking cast of runners for Thursday’s 15:35 includes the first two home in the Irish Oaks, Savethelastdance and Bluestocking, as well as multiple Group 2 winner Free Wind.

The supporting cast includes Ribblesdale heroine Warm Heart, Curragh Cup second Rosscarbery and Pretty Polly runner-up Stay Alert. Novakai, Poptronic and Sea Silk Road complete the field.

The latest Yorkshire Oaks odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.

Yorkshire Oaks tips

Timeform: 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.

Yorkshire Oaks runners and riders

Al Husn

Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: David Egan Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 4

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.

****

Free Wind

Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Frankie Dettori Age: 5 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 3

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.

*****

Poptronic

Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Sam James Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 7

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.

Rosscarbery

Trainer: P. Twomey Jockey: William James Lee Age: 5 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 10

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

***

Sea Silk Road

Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 2

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.

Stay Alert

Trainer: Hughie Morrison Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 8

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).

****

Bluestocking

Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Rossa Ryan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 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.

****

Novakai

Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: William Buick Age: 3 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 5

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.

Savethelastdance

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 6

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.

****

Warm Heart

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: James Doyle Age: 3 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 9

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.