Jaysella’s Ebor Festival Racecard for Thursday 20th August 2026

Jaysella’s Ebor Festival Racecard for Thursday 20th August

Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) 1.50
Libertango
No surprise to me to see George Boughey’s Libertango heading the betting for the Lowther. She won the Albany Stakes at Ascot’s Royal do in stunning style, forcing her way through under Billy Loughnane to get upsides of hot favourite Sun Goddess in the final furlong, and that without the clearest run, and confirmed all that promise when second to Senorita Bonita in the Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket last time out. That was a Fillies’ Group 2, so she’s gotta be a strong favourite back in this grade with the brilliant Billy Loughnane back for more Group glory! Joseph O’Brien’s Star Of State has a few fancy entries in her diary, while Andrew Balding’s Moonrise looks worth a try at this level under Oisin Murphy, but Libertango could be a hard nut to crack.

Harry’s Half Million By Goffs 2.25
Sun Goddess (nap)
It’s gonna be very hard to back anything against hot favourite Sun Goddess for this huge prize, but there’ll be plenty ‘aving a go! But, that said, Amy Murphy’s star Juvenile Tokaido must be on your list, and has definitely got the winning habit after notching up the four-timer in the Group 2 Robert Papin, just as our Marie-Francoise said he would, and comin’ outta Stall 4 is gonna help too. Maybe Donnacha O’Brien’s Where Love Lives would be an interesting each-way angle, for all of you lot that like to hedge your bets! And at around 20/1 when I last looked, that could be a serious bit of mispricing there from those ever-generous Bookies right? Heard it here first guys and girls – just remember that!! But Sun Goddess is the class act of this field, so I reckon the Half Million’s going back to Ireland! Caroline, anything to add?

Sun Goddess (nap)
Oh Jaysella, so nice to be singing from the same Hymn Sheet as you for this, after we couldn’t see eye to eye on Wednesday. And yes, I do think this big pot is going back home with Aidan O’Brien’s Sun Goddess, who only got beat by the very exciting Libertango in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, but I had to give her for the Phoenix Stakes the last day, so now there’s Group One form in her book. And I’m also of the opinion that Donnacha O’Brien’s Where Love Lives will also go well with Billy Loughnane back to ride, so yes, that does seem a valid each-way angle too.

Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 In 7 Grand Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 3.00
Bullet Point
I did think that last year’s winner Bullet Point looked like getting back to his best in the Shergar Cup last time, so with that course form in the book, he’s my pick. Having said that, I’ll reckon there’s gonna be plenty of support for Jack Channon’s Mezcala, who’s got Will Buick for company, and Andrew Balding’s The Lost King ain’t without a chance either. Ralph Beckett’s Centigrade has topped the markets this week, but Bullet Point under Tom Marquand gets my vote!

Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares) 3.35
Kalpana (nb)
I’ve gotta tell you, I reckon that it’s as if Kalpana has finally hit the highlights this year with the win in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot last month. She was always a class act, but to me didn’t get the recognition she deserved, despite having three Group Ones to her name, though maybe the first two were against her own sex, so winning that open Group One at Ascot gave her the headline she always deserved. No question about this Yorkshire Oaks, Kalpana’s winning this, but I’ll take it that Johanna Walsh and Minnie Hauk are top class opponents! Caroline?

Johanna Walsh (nb)
Oh Jaysella, we beg to differ once again, because I reckon this is another big prize going back to Ireland, this time to the Owning Hill yard of Joseph O’Brien. Oh yes indeed, in Johanna Walsh we have a very exciting filly, and getting 9lbs from Kalpana could swing the scales in her favour, do you not think? And with plenty of rain coming to York, I’m thinking that the softer ground could be a benefit to the Irish contingent. On top of that, Dylan Browne McMonagle is the most exciting flat jockey in Ireland right now, so adding all my plusses up, I’m sorry Jaysella, I do admire Kalpana, and she’s a very tough mare, but my instinct tells me Johanna Walsh, while Minnie Hauk won’t mind conditions at all, so has to be in there with a chance.

British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (Listed) (Fillies & Mares) 4.10
A La Prochaine
I’ve gotta tell ya, this could be the steal of the day if you can get your stake on before A La Prochaine shortens plenty tomorrow. All sorts of reasons why, but remember that Ralph Beckett’s filly was fourth in the Epsom Derby when we last saw her, so with plenty more cut in the ground than we’ve been used to, she could be the answer to this Fillies & Mares Listed contest. John & Thady Gosdens’ Morrophore has been getting plenty of support, and Ryan Moore booked does help, don’t you think? But, she ain’t gonna like anything but quicker ground, and maybe that could be true of William Haggas’s Rhapsody too. Yep, given the expected softening of conditions, I’ll take my chances with A La Prochaine thankyou!

Mews Hotel Ossett EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap 4.45
Bymiddaytomorrow
Nothing like hot form for this type of race, but no, despite the rumours Bymiddaytomorrow ain’t sponsored by Amazon’s Prime!! With any luck, Ed Walker’s Mehmas filly won’t take that long to cross the finishing line!! But she does seem to have hit a bit of a sweet spot of form before lining up for this Nursery, with wins at Ayr and Thirsk over the last month. Tom Marquand is a notable booking, so I’m gonna take a rare each-way gamble on Bymiddaytomorrow, with stablemate The Ginger Kid also on my long shortlist? Huh, does that make sense – the Long Shortlist – anyhow, that’s my call with George Boughey’s pair of Mirzimaan and Perfect Nation, Karl Burke’s recent Goodwood scorer Revels also noted. I did fancy Hugo Palmer’s Mia Fantasia for the Whispering Angel Handicap at Goodwood last time out, but for me didn’t produce the goods, so a little dip into a big outsider is my call for this, with Bymiddaytomorrow topping the list. Watch out you, Jeff Bezos, if this all goes wrong!!

British EBF Fillies’ Handicap
Starlight Lass
I reckon it’s worth taking a chance on Starlight Lass for the closer on Thursday, with Saffie Osborne just the girl to have on your side right now. Riding the crest of a wave is our Saffie, after captaining Ryan Moore and Dylan Browne McMonagle to victory in the Shergar Cup, Ascot’s International Team Jockey competition. So, John & Thady Gosdens’ Starlight Lass is looking for the hat-trick after wins at Newmarket and Yarmouth, though they were both 3 runner fields, so a bit more on her plate now. I do think William Haggas’s Albaydaa is very strong in handicap company after a fine second in a decent race at Newmarket in May, while top weight Bellarchi would be my big each-way gamble with a decent draw in Stall 4. Starlight Lass to get the Midas Touch from Saffie Osborne, and notch one up for us girls!