ITV Racing Tips: A Couple Of Selections On Day 2 Of Ebor Meeting

Day Two of the Ebor Meeting is upon us and after a rain soaked Day One, there are sure to be plenty more action packed races to enjoy. After hitting the crossbar with his first tip yesterday, Billy Grimshaw is back for more and again has two York betting tips...

13:50 York - Lowther Stakes

I've been put off a smidgen by the rain falling today (I'm penning this piece on Wednesday afternoon) and forecast for raceday, but still think even if the ground becomes softer than ideal LIBERTANGO sets the standard in this race and that 7/4 is a fair enough price about her. Her win in the Albany was very impressive for the team that have really announced themselves this season at the very top table in George Boughey and Billy Loughnane and while some may have been disappointed to see her only finish second in another Group 2 last time out, I am actually looking at that run as a positive for this contest.

Loughnane went too soon at Newmarket and paid the price, with Libertango looking tired as the line drew closer and in danger of losing second place. The young str rider will not make the mistake of begin in front before the last possible minute this time, one suspects, and her high draw doesn't put me off given the suspected hold up tactics from the team. This does not look the hottest renewal of this race in recent years and, to my eye at least, she is the standout form pick. Her aptitude for racing on soft is as yet untested but I doubt the ground will get too bad at York even with a few showers sprinkled in.

I probably fear the Irish raider Livenka most of the opposition, with her win last time out hardly coming in a deep race but still visually very impressive. Ger Lyons; filly will be one of the pacesetters, you'd imagine, and all the early speed does in fact look to be drawn high in and around the favourite. That could be just what the doctor ordered for a late swooping Loughnane.

15:35 York - Yorkshire Oaks

I don't doubt that Kalpana is the best horse in this race, however after a career best to win the King George at her beloved Ascot last time out, under a month ago, and with bigger fish to fry later in the season I am going to take her on with the stunningly impressive Irish Oaks winner JOHANNA WALSH for Dylan Browne McMonagle and Joseph O'Brien. She is available to back at 9/2 at the time of writing and as I am not keen on Minnie Hauk this season, that looks a tremendous price to back each-way for the improver who receives nine pounds from her elders. If Kalpana runs to the level she showed in the King George, she will win this race, but all her very best performances have been saved for Ascot and with all the mitigating factors I think she could get caught out a touch here.

William Haggas's Earth Shot of course got the better of Johanna Walsh at Royal Ascot in the Ribblesdale, but that form was emphatically reversed at the Curragh last time out and I cannot see any reason why Earth Shot will ever trouble a fully fit and firing Johanna Walsh again. That romp in the Irish Oaks was a phenomenal display and for the older horses to give her - if in the same form off the front end - nine pounds and a beating will be some effort. Minnie Hauk may well try to make it under Ryan Moore, but I'd fancy Johanna Walsh to do her for speed or stamina if they get battling early, and that fight may well bring out the best of Johanna Walsh on the front end.

Kalpana will no doubt be asked to challenge a touch later, but if she is not getting by the front runners it'd come as no surprise to me if Colin Keane were to mind her a tad, given her long term focus for this season is of course the Arc. Hopefully we at least get our money back (almost) with a second place finish but I am quietly confident in Johanna Walsh winning this so although an each-way bet is the logical play, I'd put nobody off backing her win only.