IF you choose to name a horse after a hypochondriac in a sanitarium you have to expect a few quirks.
And that’s what you get with Emily Upjohn.
On Thursday, the former Musidora heroine is back at York for the first time since that success in May 2022 as she tries to land the feature Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks (3.35).
THE best bet for savvy punters during York’s blockbuster Ebor meeting.
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Dear old Emily, bless her, gets her name from a character in the 1937 Marx Brothers film A Day At The Races. And like her namesake she has a few issues.
A repeat of her second to Bluestocking in the Irish Oaks Emily Upjohn will give have every chance of winning.
A repeat of her last run in the Nassau at Goodwood and she wouldn’t.
Time will tell how John Gosden’s filly gets on but, in any case, they might stop her with stablemate QUEEN OF THE PRIDE.
The daughter of Roaring Lion has long looked special and it might be the moment she hits the big time under Oisin Murphy.
The pair kept on well to score at Haydock last time and if they go a strong pace she surely will be hard to beat.
The second day of the York’s Ebor meeting gets under way with the Group 2 Lowther for fillies over six furlongs.
Leovanni looks very good but I like the extra experience of HEAVENS GATE (1.50) for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien.
The daughter of Churchill was last seen at Naas winning a valuable auction event but had proven herself high class before that with a third to stable companion Fairy Godmother in the Albany.
Heavens Gate stays well and has class.
Speaking of sales races, AN OUTLAW’S GRACE (2.25) looks hard to beat in the next.
A good winner over this trip at Salisbury on debut, this colt then went to France in Group 2 company and was far from disgraced in fourth before a tame fifth at Glorious Goodwood.
That, though, was behind the classy Aomori City and over seven furlongs.
My tip will be much better dropped back to third trip. A huge chance.
There’s a big one-mile handicap to sort out next. This quick track here might be perfect for HOLLOWAY BOY (3.00).
His inside draw might not be a nightmare as they will come down the middle of the track and he can tuck in and come late.
Karl Burke’s former Royal Ascot winner has been a model of consistency this term and after a fine fifth at Royal Ascot in the Hunt Cup he was an excellent third at Glorious Goodwood.
The final ITV race is the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes over a mile and a half.
None of these have high ratings and it’s all about potential.
FAIRY GLEN (4.10) has the most of that.
The lightly-raced daughter of Farhh was third behind the re-opposing Divina Grace at Newmarket but kept on well that day and I suspect she will have learnt a lot.
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