YORKSHIRE OAKS FOR VITA NOVA

Sir Henry Cecil feels Vita Nova "could run very well" in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York on Thursday week.

The trainer is bidding to win the Group One contest for a fifth time and his 2011 representative was unlucky in the Lancashire Oaks last time when her saddle slipped close home.

Cecil said: "Vita Nova was unlucky not to win the Lancashire Oaks when her saddle slipped round. She is earmarked for the Yorkshire Oaks. She is going very nicely and with a little cut in the ground could run very well, although this year it looks as if there will be a very strong field."

Another of the stable's improving fillies is Wild Coco and she is on course for a shot at next Thursday's European Breeders' Fund 'Selkirk' Galtres Stakes, granted some underfoot ease.

Friday August 19, sees the richest maiden race in the country this year with the £25,000 Sky Bet Mobile Convivial Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs, Cecil will take the wraps off a two-year-old newcomer called Thomas Chippendale, a Dansili colt owned by Yorkshireman Sir Robert Ogden.

The trainer said: "It will be his first race and he is a big colt who will most probably go straight on to a mile, but hopefully he will give a good account of himself on his debut."

Cecil is in no doubt as to the status of the four-day meeting, which he believes is "one of the highlights of the racing year."

He added: "There is always such a marvellous attendance. Racegoers in the North really enjoy their racing and appreciate seeing really good horses."

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