Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored By Investec

2.40 Epsom
Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored By Investec) (Group 3) (Fillies and Mares) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £36,900

Pick: Reggane (win)

Anatara: Promising Godolphin recruit who romped home with German group event when last seen; Form of those in behind is solid and should go well but impossible to know how she’ll run on first UK start for a number of reasons, notably a 3lbs penalty.

Aspectoflove: Has made a good start to Godolphin carrier after showing a lot of promise in progressive season for John Oxx; A little disappointing last time considering that she held solid Group 3 form when fourth in listed event and will have to do better here.

First City: Lost her form a little bit last year but improved her last 2 starts, coming second to Alsace Lorraine (unlucky to have been caught on the line) and then Seta; Those efforts good but was behind Aspectoflove in listed contest and might have tough task on.

Patchattack: Made an improved effort with blinkers on when runner-up to Enticement in 1¼m listed contest in October; Hasn’t bettered that effort in four runs since and hard to fancy here.

Penny’s Gift: Would be major player on her earlier form last year( was closer to Goldikova than Reggane was) but she ended last year much below her best; Should strip fitter for return although she was behind Reggane, who is in the same boat.

Please Sing: Has a lot to do on her recent, form all of it listed level.

Reggane: Holds a very big chance on her Coronation Stakes 2nd, open to improvement with only 5 runs, and also well worth another chance having suffered from an inflamed trachea in the Prix Rotschild (Probably not recovered from that when sixth on her last run of 2009); May have been disappointing at Lingfield but drawn badly that day and fair to say she needed run, so worth another chance.

Sarah Park: Looks to have it all do based on her efforts on the all-weather and her comeback run this year, none of which inspire confidence.

Jira: Held her form really well throughout last season through group and sales races despite being quite exposed and ran a good race when fourth on last start of 2009; Repperance runs are good, and all of her form is solid but might not be at the level required.

VERDICT: Given that she was drawn out wide, and will come on a lot for the run, it could be well well worth giving REGGANE another chance here to show the form which saw her run second to Ghanaati in the Coronation Stakes, which would blitz these. Anatra could be anything following her German Group 3 romp but might be best left alone for a yard that isn’t totally on form and she does have a penalty to carry.