Five horses to follow at York on Thursday

Tipster: Donn McClean.

Best odds: 15-2.

Livenka is exciting. Ger Lyons’ filly was good when winning her maiden at Fairyhouse in July on her third start, dropping back down in trip from seven furlongs to six, when she made just about all, and could have been called as the likely winner from a long way out.  

The runner-up at Fairyhouse was Star Of State, who enhanced the form of that race when she bolted up in her maiden at Leopardstown next time. Joseph O’Brien’s filly was making her racecourse debut at Fairyhouse, she obviously showed the benefit of that experience at Leopardstown, and she is a big player in Thursday’s race as well. However, Livenka stepped forward herself from Fairyhouse next time out when she ran out an impressive winner of the valuable Ballyhane Stakes at Naas.  

A half-sister to Phoenix Stakes winner Babouche, and to Minstrel Stakes winner Zarinsk, six furlongs looks like the Juddmonte filly’s ideal trip, at least for now, she will have Colin Keane for company, and she should probably be closer to the top of the market than she is.

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

Best odds: Evens.

I cannot remember when a recent Group 1-winning two-year-old has turned up in one of these Sales races even despite the massive prize money on offer. However, such is the depth of the Aidan O’Brien talent pool that it is no surprise that a horse like Sun Goddess takes up this engagement.

This has to be the best ever of this type of race, but as usual, a huge field is full of makeweights and only three of the field merit serious consideration.

Sun Goddess came from the back of the field to win the Phoenix in very good style last time out augmenting a previous Group 2 win and is a real contender for the championship races to come.

A fast run six furlongs is inevitable and looks ideal for Sun Goddess, and I expect her to win comfortably under Ryan Moore. 

Tipster: Andy Stephens.

Best odds: 3-1.

The lightly raced Centigrade has clearly not been easy to train but arrives here unexposed and an opening handicapo mark of 102 may underestimate him.

Since being touched off by Jonquil (now rated 111) on his debut at Sandown, he’s won in emphatic style at Newbury and Southwell, chalking up some swift sectionals and big RaceiQ numbers. At the former track, he thumped Further (rated 106).

In addition, Rossa Ryan and Ralph Beckett’s Actual versus Expected metrics both read well.

Tipster: Alex Scott.

Best odds: 6-5.

The sporting decision by Kalpana’s owner/breeder to keep her in training has paid off in spades thus far and she sets a solid standard after putting up a career best performance to win a stellar King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes last time, beating Calandagan by a length and a half.

An incredibly consistent mare, her only finish outside of the top three in 17 starts so far came in last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and she has an exceptional turn of foot which she should be able to use effectively again here on fast ground. The highest rated filly/mare in Europe on Timeform ratings should prove hard to beat.

The progressive Johanna Walsh can prove best of the Classic contingent, with Tattycoram fancied to outrun her odds for Ralph Beckett.

Tipster: Ross Millar.

Best odds: 11-2.

When judged against his two-novice wins, a mark of 88 on his handicap debut looks no more than reasonable for Perfect Nation - he chased home the high-class Flann Sunna who has a rating of 99 on his debut effort over six furlongs at Windsor.

The trip on that occasion and a lack of racing room made that a performance worthy of an upgrade. He represents a yard in good form and is the pick of stable jockey Billy Loughnane.