Headlines

Frankie Dettori produced an absolute masterclass aboard Mostahdaf to become the most successful jockey in the Juddmonte International with six victories, ending Paddington’s fantastic run of top-level wins. It was a Gosden and Frankel 1-2 as Nashwa was second.

Aidan O’Brien showed a bit of remorse in the decision to run Paddington in yesterday’s feature so soon after his Glorious Goodwood success, saying “I would have to say maybe I shouldn’t have ran him, but that’s the way it is.”

Two-time Champion Jockey Paul Hanagan told ITV Racing’s Ed Chamberlain that he has decided to call it day on his riding career at York on Friday. The 42-year-old former Oaks winner’s final mount will be Wootton’Sun for his old boss Richard Fahey in tomorrow’s opener. The horse is currently priced at 5/1.

Continuous is the new favourite for the St Leger after winning the Voltigeur under a perfect ride from Ryan Moore, who held the horse back allowed the rest of the field to set far too fast a pace before swooping in late on.

Elsewhere, Indian Run won the Group 3 Acomb for Eve Johnson Houghton, while Equilateral won his UK Handicap debut.

York Day Two

The NAP comes straight off the bat at York today, with Relief Rally backed to win the opener for Tom Marquand and William Haggas. Cherry Blossom won incredibly well at the Curragh over this distance just two weeks ago and could be the danger if adapting to step up in class.

The Yorkshire Oaks is today’s feature and it’s looking like a very tricky one to call. The 3YO fillies haven’t set the world alight this season and Irish Oaks winner Savethelastdance (5/1) could be caught out by the conditions here — hence the drift in the market.

Free Wind (9/2) is shortening up in the market. She was far from her best at Ascot when reportedly running flat to come home 5-7 in the Hardwicke on good to firm and again at Goodwood when 4-8 on heavy. Today’s conditions should suit.

Al Husn (5/1) has won seven of her last eight starts, including a maiden Group 1 at Goodwood earlier this month, so has to be seriously considered as well. However, this is a first attempt at this longer trip.

Bluestocking (11/2) appeared to have the Irish Oaks in the bag only to be collared by Savethelastdance late on at the Curragh. It was soft that day though and the good to firm could suit today.

VERDICT: A lot of questions are going to be asked about Savethelastdance (5/1) on this ground in the build-up to today’s race, but I’m sticking with the Ballydoyle runner as I think she ticks most boxes for me.

Indeed, she’s had just one outing on anything better than soft — which was when she was second in the Epsom Oaks. I think today’s track will suit her perfectly and the straight should play to her strengths.

There’s something about Poptronic, who won the Lancashire Oaks last month, that makes me want to have an EW nibble at her 40/1 too.

Ones to watch

Aside from the ones at York, which include Relief Rally in the G2 Lowther, there are just three other juvenile races across the cards today and they all come from Ireland — with one at Killarney and two at Leopardstown.

The Killarney Nursery Handicap at 16:20 is topped by a 2YO who featured in this section last week, Nor Time Nor Tide. I backed him to get off the mark for Joseph O’Brien in a maiden at Dundalk that day, but he was a disappointing third. However, he ran well over this C&D when beaten by Deepone, who has since won a Listed contest, and is worth siding with again in this handicap debut.

Content was only behind stablemate Buttons — who we rightfully sided with that day — by half-a-length when she made her debut over C&D here in June and a step up in class to Listed company at Royal Ascot proved too much for her. This drop back to a Fillies’ Maiden is her chance to strike and Seamie Heffernan booking shows she is first choice of O’Brien runners. She’s 15/8 in 16:35 at Leopardstown.

I’m probably leaving myself exposed here with a pick in each of these three Irish races, but I strongly fancy Making Time in the 17:10 at Leopardstown and it would be silly to leave it out if it goes on and wins at 2/1. The three-time raced filly was 3-6 from 11/1 on debut at Naas before faring no better than 10th (16/1) when stepped up to G3. She was third from 7/1 at Dundalk lto though and step up 7f could see her strike. Seamie rides for Miss Lupini.

Newsletter exclusive tips

There’s just one exclusive today and it’s Cast A Spell (6/4) in the 17:40 at Fontwell. She made a winning start for Gary Moore when winning on a bumper at Southwell in June. I watched that back and she impressed when making all in that race. This is her first start over hurdles and the Moore’s should strike in what looks like a very winnable race.