SNOWFALL (York, 3.35) is undoubtedly the marquee attraction on day two of the Ebor meeting, but the layers understandably believe the Darley Yorkshire Oaks is hers to lose.
Backing Aidan O’Brien’s star filly at cramped odds to complete a four-timer is not for many though so AGINCOURT (York, nap, 5.20) may represent a more sporting wager.
The Declaration Of War filly has only run twice over course and distance, resulting in a gritty victory and an agonising defeat in today’s race two years ago when overhauled on the line by Excellent Times.
Admittedly, Agincourt hasn’t sparkled on her two recent outings at Pontefract and Goodwood, but both of those runs came on unsuitably soft ground and there could be better to come now she tackles a faster surface.
The handicapper has afforded David O’Meara’s six-year-old some leniency for those efforts, dropping her to a mark of 101 which enables her to return to handicap company for the first time since her valiant Knavesmire defeat two summers ago.
It is perhaps a leap of faith to believe Agincourt can recapture that level, but her comeback run at Goodwood in Listed company was rated one of her best career efforts by the handicapper so she could be overpriced today back at one of her favourite venues.
MAGLEV (York, 4.10) holds a host of Group entries later in the season so must surely be worth backing off a mark of 91 in a nursery.
The William Haggas operation are rarely wide of the mark when appraising equine talent but a slow race at Chester last time didn’t see him to best effect and he can leave that form behind today.