Valiant Stakes 2010

3.20 Ascot
Woodcote Stud E.B.F. Valiant Stakes (Fillies' Listed) (Rnd) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £21,005

Picks: Alsace Lorraine (win), Field Day (each/way)

Alsace Lorraine: Still on up when coming late to land strong C&D handicap in May (given good ride by Spencer); Bettered that effort when fourth in extremely strong renewal of Windsor Forest Stakes, and will take all the beating here at much lower level.

Flora Trevelyan: took big step forward when winning handicap at Sandown in May by 5 lengths; Odds on when only fourth in listed company since, and was getting 5lbs form Alscae Lorraine when fourth behind her in Ascot handicap 2 starts back; Lot of work to do.

Please Sing: Has a lot to do on her recent form, all of it being at this level, even though she was a good second on last start; Hard task here.

Chcamaidee: Good sort; Ran very well form bad draw in Albany stakes (race has worked out well since) before then disappoint when sent to Sweet Solera Stakes as a 2 year old; Done well on only 2 starts at 3, winning decent listed event before coming nearly last in Coronation (easily forgiven, this much easier); Does have a penalty to deal with.

Blue Angel: Second to Aviate in minor event over C&D on return, but since behind Flora Trevlyan and Alsace Lorraine in big handicap on straight course; That form gives her a lot of ground to make up, even at level terms.

Field Day: Winner of 2 of her 3 starts (runner-up on other); Created deep impression by winning good back-end maiden (has worked out well) before running well in 2 handicaps this year, going down well on the first run, before winning handily last time; This is a step up from that, but she seems to have retained her ability and can take a hand.

Gracious Melange: Just headed near finish on only start (seasonal and handicap debut) this year after a very impressive win in 1m maiden at Kempton in December on debut; Will have to step up on that, but more to come and can improve.

I’m A Dreamer: Made a quick start to winning, unbeaten in maiden at Yarmouth and handicaps at Goodwood and Newmarket (all at 1m); Impressive all 3 starts but has to find a lot more for steep rise in class here.

VERDICT: The unpenalized Chchamaidee should find this much easier than Royal Ascot but the same can be said for ALSACE LORRAINE, who ran a great race to finish fourth in a strong renewal of the Windsor Forest and drops down to a much lower level today. The other one that takes my eye is FIELD DAY, who has gone under the radar and is a potential pattern horse based on her maiden win. She looks to have retained all ability based on her two runs this year, and this is definitely a race which she can make her mark on.