Yorkshire Oaks
15:35 York, Thursday
Live on ITV
1. Alpinista (Sir Mark Prescott/Luke Morris)
Finished second to Love in this race in 2020 and was much improved last year, making it five from five when emulating her grandam with a hat-trick of German Group 1s before making it six victories in a row in a good time in Saint-Cloud Group 1 on her return. Likeable, tactically-versatile mare and the one to beat in her bid to make is five consecutive wins at the top level now back on home soil.
2. La Petite Coco (Paddy Twomey/William James Lee)
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 Stakes at the Curragh seven weeks ago, leaving the impression she had a bit up her sleeve at the line. This longer trip will be fine and sure to be in the mix.
3. Lilac Road (William Haggas/Tom Marquand)
Value for extra when winning the Middleton Stakes here in May and she shaped well 11 weeks on in the Nassau Stakes last time, likely to have provided the biggest challenge to Nashwa with a better run through and doing her best work at the finish. She is bred to appreciate this longer trip and isn't one to dismiss.
4. Magical Lagoon (Jessica Harrington/Shane Foley)
Highly progressive filly who followed up her Ribblesdale victory at Royal Ascot with a gutsy success in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh last time, digging deep under pressure. She will need to improve again here, but she has a fine attitude and could well be up to the task.
5. Poptronic (Karl Burke/Sam James)
Big improver who was value for extra when completing a hat-trick in a Group 3 at Newcastle in June and ran well under a penalty in a listed race here next time. More needed up in trip and now has a hood fitted but she may not have reached her limit.
6. Raclette (Andre Fabre/Olivier Peslier)
Took another step forward when landing a Group 2 at Longchamp over this trip five weeks ago, but that form has taken some hits since, and this is much tougher test now upped further in class on her first run outside of France. Represents a trainer who always has to be respected, though.
7. Tuesday (Aidan O'Brien/Ryan Moore)
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 she is better than that. She seems sure to launch another bold bid and looks the main threat to Alpinista.
Recommended bets
Timeform Analyst Verdict
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.
1. Alpinista
2. Tuesday
3. La Petite Coco