Kalpana leads the way in high class Yorkshire Oaks

York racegoers are in for another treat on Thursday when King George winner Kalpana graces the Knavesmire for the Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks.

Just 24 hours on from Ombudsman and Constitution River locking horns in the Juddmonte International, Andrew Balding’s Kalpana gets the chance to cement her position as the best of her sex.

She was already close to being described as such before she beat the boys at Ascot but in defeating Calandagan, this season’s Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini, last year’s dual Derby hero Lambourn and a previous King George winner in Goliath, Kalpana proved herself as among one of the best mile and a half horses in the world.

Minnie Hauk is on something of a retrieval mission after putting in a rare disappointing effort in the same race but last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up, who won this race 12 months ago, will pose a stern threat if back to her best.

Joseph O’Brien’s Johanna Walsh looks the best of the current Classic crop based on her clear-cut win the Irish Oaks. She looks to be improving fast and had Inis Mor some four lengths back in second. The two meet again.

Legacy Link won the Musidora at the track back in May and only found Thundering On too good in the Oaks, however she flopped when running back quickly in the Ribblesdale and needs to bounce back.

One who is improving is Ralph Beckett’s Tattycoram and her wide-margin victory over the consistent Tiffany last time out in a Group Two puts her in the mix also.

William Haggas’s Earth Shot will be out to rediscover the form which saw her edge Johanna Walsh in the Ribblesdale at Ascot after managing only sixth behind the same rival in the Irish Oaks.

Sparan Nua, third in the same race at the Curragh, represents veteran trainer Jim Bolger while Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old Sugar Island rounds off the nine-strong field.

The presence of Albany winner and current market leader Libertango has not frightened off a huge field declared for the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes with 19 set to go to post for the Group Two contest over six furlongs.

George Boughey’s filly backed up her Royal Ascot win with a fine second in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting and will have plenty of supporters under regular partner Billy Loughnane.

Queen Mary form is well represented with Crownbreaker (fifth), Alta Regina (sixth), Shimmering Sun (seventh), Wild Blossom (10th), Crystal Queen (13th), and others all locking horns again.

Moonrise, second in the Windsor Castle, but a good winner of a Group Three at Ascot since, will bid to give Balding a first win in a race his late father Ian won with Mrs Penny in 1979.

Two of the most intriguing runners hail from Ireland with Joseph O’Brien sending Star Of State over to run in the contest following an easy nine-length win in a maiden at Leopardstown on her second start.

Star Of State was beaten on her racecourse debut by the Ger Lyons-trained Juddmonte-owned runner Livenka who went on to make all in the valuable Ballyhane Stakes at Naas and will be among the leading fancies under Colin Keane.

Amy Murphy’s Tokaido and Aidan O’Brien’s Sun Goddess lead the way in the Harry’s Half Million By Goffs.