Lumiere looks pick of bunch

TIPS: Johnston’s filly backed to take big step up in class in her stride at York

LUMIERE can light up proceedings at York by winning the Pinsent Masons Lowther Stakes at York.

A brilliant all-the-way performance at Newmarket’s July meeting was the talk of headquarters and, judged on postrace comments, was not unexpected given her work at home.

Six lengths was the winning margin and while this represents a marked step up in class, it is going to take something pretty special to stop Mark Johnston’s filly gaining Group Two honours and, with it, probably 1,000 Guineas favouritism.

COVERT LOVE appears the safest option in a trappy-looking Darley Yorkshire Oaks.

It would not be a complete surprise if there is a shock in the mile-and-a-half Group One feature, but all the signs are Hugo Palmer’s three-year-old is a progressive individual and is capable of following up her Irish Oaks triumph.

Palmer bravely took the plunge to supplement her at the Curragh and the move paid a handsome dividend as the daughter of Azamour stayed on strongly to beat Jack Naylor and favourite Curvy, who had previously done everything right this season.

Handy from the off in a race run at a brisk pace, she was there to be shot at but showed all the right qualities to come home in front.

Given the manner in which she did it, it looks like the long galloping Knavesmire straight will be very much up her street and the sky will be the limit if she can take this in similar style. SELECTIONS:

HAMILTON: 5.10 Nimr, 5.40 A Lovable Rogue, 6.10 Riponian, 6.40 Haymarket, 7.10 Deep Resolve, 7.40 Gathurst, 8.10 Tyfos.

YORK: 1.55 Tasleet, 2.30 LUMIERE (NAP), 3.05 Chil The Kite, 3.40 Covert Love, 4.20 Shoal, 4.55 Enlace.

DOUBLE: Lumiere and Covert Love.