Confirmed runners and riders for the Yorkshire Oaks at the Ebor festival on Thursday

David Egan believes Nassau winner Al Husn has as good a chance as any in the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday and is excited to pick up the mount on the talented Shadwell filly.

Al Husn’s regular rider Jim Crowley misses the Ebor meeting as part of his 20-day ban for overuse of the whip aboard King George VI and Queen Elizabeth winner Hukum last month.

Egan was the last jockey to partner Al Husn before Crowley when winning a fillies’ handicap on the Sun Chariot card at Newmarket in October and the Roger Varian-trained four-year-old has since won at Listed, Group 3 and Group 1 level.

Al Husn is stepping up to a mile and a half for the first time in the £500,000 event and is the highest-rated filly in the ten-runner field, with her rivals including Irish Oaks one-two Savethelastdance and Bluestocking, who receive 9lb from their elders. 

Savethelastdance heads the betting at 3-1 with William Hill, with Bluestocking priced at 7-2. Free Wind, the only course winner in the biggest line-up since 2016, is 9-2 and Al Husn is a 7-1 shot.

Egan has a domestic strike-rate of 31 per cent for Shadwell in the past three years and said: “Al Husn is a lovely ride to get and I’m very thankful to the Shadwell team for putting me on her. She’s a very straightforward and talented filly.

“The step up in trip shouldn’t be a problem for her as she’s very laid-back and I’m looking forward to it. Any Group 1 is going to be a hard race but she’s got one under her belt and she has as good a chance as any.”

David Egan: picked up the ride on Al Husn in the Yorkshire OaksCredit: Mark Cranham

Al Husn’s stablemate Modaara bids to bounce back to winning ways in the Listed British EBF and Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes on day two, having finished last of five but only beaten four lengths in the Lancashire Oaks in June. She is the 5-1 second favourite with William Hill behind the William Haggas-trained Sea Theme at 9-2.

Egan said: “I hope she’s better than she showed at Haydock and she’ll need to improve in this nice race. York is a lovely track for her, and if she puts her right foot forward, she should definitely be competitive at this level.”

Akhu Najla was a 2.7 million guineas buy for KHK Racing at the Tattersalls Book 1 sale in 2020 and returned from a 308-day layoff with an encouraging fourth at Ascot last month. Egan is hopeful of a big run from the lightly raced four-year-old, who heads the betting at 6-1 for the Clipper Handicap.

“It was a nice comeback run and he finished his race off well,” said Egan. “I’d expect a step forward from him. He has a nice draw in stall four and the track should suit. He’s a nice horse.”

The Yorkshire Oaks, won by Enable, Love and Alpinista in recent years, is one of five races televised on ITV on Thursday, with the Sky Bet Lowther featuring Weatherbys Super Sprint scorer Relief Rally beginning the card at 1.50. The entire meeting is shown on Racing TV.

Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks, 3.35 York, Thursday
William Hill: 3 Savethelastdance, 7-2 Bluestocking, 9-2 Free Wind, 7 Al Husn, 11 Rosscarbery, Warm Heart, 14 Stay Alert, 16 Novakai, Sea Silk Road, 20 Poptronic

Confirmed runners and riders for the Yorkshire Oaks

Al Husn David Egan
Free Wind Frankie Dettori
Poptronic Sam James
Rosscarbery Billy Lee
Sea Silk Road Tom Marquand
Stay Alert Oisin Murphy
Bluestocking Rossa Ryan
Novakai William Buick
Savethelastdance Ryan Moore
Warm Heart James Doyle

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