Update 33/1 & 25/1 placed

It was a solid day in terms of results for the York Ebor Update but it could have been even better if Sparan Nua had collared Kalpana in the dying strides of the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday. Advised at 33/1, Jim Bolger's filly was finishing strongly behind Andrew Balding's King George winner but found the winning post coming a few yards too soon. Unlucky in running when third in the Irish Oaks, she would almost certainly have won here had Rossa Ryan's mount not been checked when starting her challenge approaching the three furlongs marker. Forced to switch, she chased after Colin Keane's mount and looked set to win half a furlong out but couldn't quite get there. Two and a half lengths back in third was the triple Group 1 winner Minnie Hauk. While Sparan Nua's defeat was frustrating, there was some comfort to be gained by the first and second were both selected.

Earlier in the day, Star of State ran well in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes finishing second behind Royal Ascot Libertango. Joseph O'Brien's filly enjoyed the run of the race and when she hit the front, the contest looked all over. However, George Boughey's filly, who was drawn wide, quickened up best to lead inside the final furlong and won going away by half a length. The pair are two very good fillies and could have a rematch in the Cheveley Park Stud Stakes at Newmarket next month. 

Group 1 winner Sun Goddess confirmed herself a high-class filly by overcoming traffic problems and a high draw to win the Harry's Half Million By Goffs by six lengths. Eleven days after her victory in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, the Sioux Nation filly trounced inferior rivals here with an easy success. Ryan Moore's mount was forced to switch approaching the final furlong before quickening up smartly and then pulling clear. 

The two selections in the Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 in 7 Grand Finale Handicap finished third and sixth. Spell Master, who was advised at 25/1, kept on gamely in the closing stages to reward each-way support having chased the winner The Lost King some way from home. The heavily supported Centigrade was slowly away from stall eight and raced keenly during the early stages. Pulled to the outside, Ralph Beckett's runner plugged up but couldn't quicken when required. I suspect the lightly raced four year old will be upped in trip next time and remains a promising type off his mark of 102. 

Prizeland (11/1) provided the Top 40 in AOTF with another winner in the Listed Galtres Stakes. Andrew Balding's filly had run well behind Superior Choice in the Listed Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton last time and she relished the underfoot conditions here. Given a beautifully patient ride, the daughter of Territories was travelling strongly when hitting the front before stretching away to score by three and a quarter lengths. She looks ready for another rise in grade and is an exciting filly.

The Update has made a good start with a couple of winners and plenty of placed runners. Fingers crossed the trend will continue over the final two days. I am working at York on Friday and Saturday and will therefore update the Diary over the weekend.