Neil Morrice York Ebor Festival Day 2 Best Bets Thursday – 20 August 2026

YORK EBOR FESTIVAL DAY 2 BEST BETS THURSDAY

Race 1 SKY BET LOWTHER STAKES (Group 2)

No10 LIBERTANGO (Nap)

Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: Billy Loughnane

On the only day he plans to ride at York this week title race leader Loughnane can steer LIBERTANGO to victory in a race to savour. The daughter of No Nay Never brings outstanding credentials to the table following her triumph in the Albany at Royal Ascot and close second in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at the Newmarket July meeting. She travelled best for most of the way in that Group 2 only to be swooped on by Senorita Bonita but she’s operating on the faster 1200 metres in the country today and has been flying at home. STAR OF STATE broke her duck by a wide margin in a Leopardstown maiden which nevertheless leaves us unclear as to how good she is. Joseph O’Brien’s filly can get onto the podium along with her compatriot LIVENKA who was well supported when scoring at Fairyhouse and Naas in the colours of Juddmonte.

Prediction: 1st LIBERTANGO, 2nd Star Of State, 3rd Livenka

Race 2 HARRY’S HALF MILLION BY GOFFS

No10 INNICHEN (Each Way)

Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand

This valuable Sales race can see INNICHEN in the shake up as long as the colt doesn’t fluff his lines at the start. That was the case on his latest start in a Goodwood nursery in which he lost four lengths leaving the stalls but finished best of all to claim a cheque, with many good judges considering him unlucky. The Mehmas colt had smoothly delivered on nursery debut at Nottingham and if starting at his paper price rates more than a sporting bet to trouble the judge. SUN GODDESS will be an automatic favourite following her triumph in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, and on that evidence should win. She had the right horse (Folsom Blues) in second to make the form look watertight. Furthermore she was adding to a convincing Group 2 success at the same track, which gives her the aura of a class filly. SATELLITE OF LOVE is unbeaten in two for Clive Cox and impressed me with his Newbury win while TOKAIDO is trying to hunt down a five-timer for Amy Murphy, his triumphs including a Listed and a Group 2 at the Curragh as well as a Group 3 at Deauville.

Prediction: 1st INNICHEN, 2nd Sun Goddess, 3rd Satellite Of Love, 4th Tokaido

Race 3 SIR KEVIN SINFIELD 7 IN 7 GRAND FINALE HANDICAP

No10 MEZCALA (Each Way)

Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: William Buick

What happened to MEZCALA at Ascot’s King George meeting remains a mystery as after swooping to conquer in the Buckingham Palace in June he never looked like striking a blow in the International Stakes. He’s tackling a slightly longer trip today with Buick a potentially significant jockey booking. He’s worked well since that latest hiccup and granted luck in running has a good chance to restore order. YORKSHIRE is one that can go well at a big price for the in-form Ed Bethell stable. He’s improved from race to race in four outings in 2026 culminating in a very good effort when third to Arctic Thunder at Haydock. On only a fourth career start CENTIGRADE remains an unknown quantity but he’s one to keep a close watch on n the betting. The son of champion miler Too Darn Hot came from quite a long way back when landing a big field Southwell novice where despite running green when hitting the front he powered clear. If going forward on today’s first run in a handicap Ralph Beckett’s charge will be a danger to all. Towards the head of the weights POINT LYNAS should be competitive as he’s a dual winner on this course and finished best of all when second in a Listed race at Pontefract last time. Further out in the betting AALTO is a consistent performer and it would be no surprise to see him run into the money.

Prediction: 1st MEZCALA, 2nd Yorkshire, 3rd Centigrade, 4th Point Lynas 5th Aalto

Race 4 LEGENDS GLOBAL YORKSHIRE OAKS (Group 1)

No1 KALPANA

Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Colin Keane

There’s no getting away from the fact that KALPANA is the class act in the second day highlight. The Study Of Man mare has never run at York, but I believe she will leave an indelible hoof print on this hallowed Knavesmire turf. While she failed to make an impact in last season’s Arc she’s undoubtedly a stronger and more resilient operator this year. The five-year-old would have been unbeaten in three in 2026 but for getting chinned by a revitalised Giavellotto in the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot. That formed the meat in the sandwich between success in the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes at Newbury and the Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes back at Ascot last month. On that occasion she readily parried the challenge of 2025 Horse Of The Year Calandagan. There’s nothing wrong with that form and if repeated she will prevail. JOHANNA WALSH probably represents the strongest threat as she’s made great strides since breaking her maiden and ran out a wide margin winner of the Irish Oaks for Joseph O’Brien. MINNIE HAUK will struggle to repeat her 2025 triumph in this race but despite disappointing recent results should make the podium for Aidan O’Brien.

Prediction: 1st KALPANA, 2nd Johanna Walsh, 3rd Minnie Hauk

Race 5 BRITISH EBF & SIR HENRY CECIL GALTRES STAKES (Listed)

No4 MORROPHORE

Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Ryan Moore

Moore has developed a good rapport with MORROPHORE on whom he excelled in the Winter Oaks at Lingfield. He timed it to perfection on the George Strawbridge-owned mare in a carbon copy to her previous outing in the Winter Oaks Trial at the same venue. This is just a fifth ever run on grass for the daughter of Kingman who is also a winner at Ascot, and a ninth outing all told. She gives every impression that there is more to come. Her stablemate WITHOUT PREJUDICE is the one with similar scope on the progression monitor as she looked better the further she travelled before bolting up on her Newmarket introduction at the end of last month. The Starman filly should appreciate stretching out to a longer trip and fits the adage of ‘could be anything’. ASHARIBA hails from a stable that’s still to get its act together but I could see her outrunning her lofty price. She did us a good turn when scoring at Goodwood last summer and has been very lightly campaigned subsequently. VAUNTINGLY brings Listed form to the table for Joseph O’Brien, and having troubled the judge in each of her five starts has to be taken seriously on a first venture out of Ireland.

Prediction: 1st MORROPHORE, 2nd Without Prejudice, 3rd Ashariba, 4th Vauntingly

Race 6 MEWS HOTEL OSSETT EBF STALLIONS NURSERY

No4 PERFECT NATION (Each Way)

Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: Billy Loughnane

I think this is the toughest betting heat on the card but hope BYMIDDAYTOMORROW can ruffle a few feathers. Part of an Ed Walker twin challenge on the race, he’s bidding for a hat-trick following recent successes in the North. The Yorkshire air will hopefully keep him focussed for this step up in grade. PERFECT NATION is unfortunate not to be bringing an unblemished record to the table, and on this fourth start needs respecting for the Boughey/Loughnane combination. The Sioux Nation colt has shown good gate speed in his successes at Lingfield and Ffos Las. He’s carded for the win. The Karl Burke-trained REVELS bounced back from an underwhelming run at Royal Ascot to take out a nursery at Goodwood which makes him of particular interest. SOLDIER OF THE SEA ran into the smart Gentle Hurricane at Salisbury last time and there was no disgrace in his effort as the principals pulled clear. There’s every chance he will again be involved.

Prediction: 1st PERFECT NATION, 2nd Bymiddaytomorrow, 3rd Revels, 4th Soldier Of The Sea

Race 7 BRITISH EBF FILLIES’ HANDICAP

No16 STARLIGHT LASS

Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Saffie Osborne

Gosden once did me an enormous favour when landing this race with a filly who went on to be a Group horse. It would be nice to think STARLIGHT LASS might be of the same ilk, as the grey daughter of Dubawi goes to post with a profile brim full of potential. She’s not really been asked any questions so far, and after a couple of smooth conversions can take this step up the ladder in her stride as one of the best bets of the day. LAM TAI won a Listed race, was placed in two more and also Group 3 placed for Karl Burke last year. She’s a fascinating participant granted it’s her first run back following a breathing operation. ZOOELLA receives plenty of weight from the likes of Lam Tai and could be one to outrun her price as she tries to hunt down a hat-trick. ALBAYDAA has the ability to go close even though she didn’t produce the goods when favourite at Carlisle last time.

Prediction: 1st STARLIGHT LASS, 2nd Lam Yai, 3rd Zooella, 4th Albaydaa