3 minute read

The 10lb weight-for-age allowance given to three-year-olds at this stage of the season by both the BHA and Timeform seems to be doing a good job of keeping things fair when we take a look at the winners of the Yorkshire Oaks.

Following Tapestry’s victory last year, the score stands at eight-seven to the three-year-olds since the turn of the century.

The fairly equal record in the Yorkshire Oaks between three-year-olds and older horses is not reflected in the declarations for this year’s race, however, with the two older horses, Lustrous and Miss Marjurie falling some way short of the standard needed to win what in recent years has been a strong Group 1 event for fillies and mares.

Thankfully there are plenty of proper Group 1 fillies amongst the three-year-olds, headed on Timeform Ratings by Irish Oaks winner Covert Love, who continued her unbeaten season when winning at the Curragh last month in style under Pat Smullen, who looks set to take the ride once more on Thursday. The retention of Smullen can’t be underestimated here, but despite the fact that Covert Love got a brilliant tactical ride in the Irish Oaks and got first run on both the second and third, the pace was an honest one and Covert Love was not necessarily flattered by the result. She remains open to improvement after just five starts and is expected to confirm that Irish Oaks form with both Jack Naylor and Curvy.

More classic form is brought to the table by Pleascach, who won the Irish 1000 Guineas before running second to Curvy in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, and in doing so proving that she gets the 12-furlong trip, although her keenness in the early stages possibly took the sting out of her finishing effort on the day. The Pretty Polly Stakes next time out probably came too soon for Pleascach after her Royal Ascot exploits and she deserves respect here back from a break, with her potential over this trip remaining untapped.

Representing the British classics are Lady of Dubai and Crystal Zvezda, who both ran in the Oaks, with the former putting up a career-best to finish third, and the well-backed Crystal Zvezda finishing down the field after pulling away her chances. Although both horses could yet take a step forward from their current form, especially Crystal Zvezda who was so impressive at Newbury earlier in the season, they will have their work cut out dealing with the likes of Covert Love on known form.

The final runner worth a mention is Sea Calisi, representing the French, who last took this race with Shareta in 2012. Sea Calisi’s win in the Group 2 Prix De Malleret at Saint-Cloud puts her in the mix here, and having progressed during all four of her starts she demands plenty of respect. The jury does remain out with that form, though, which came at a lower level and hasn’t yet stood up to similarly exacting tests.

Recommended bet:

Back Covert Love in the Yorkshire Oaks