Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes 2010

3.00 Newmarket
Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (Fillies' Group 1) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £102,186 - 11 run

Picks: Saphresa (win), Lalaheeb & Seta (each/way)

Alasce 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, but hasn’t gone on from that and this looks a step too far and not proven on soft.

Lalaleeb: Has some very smart form and is a Grade 1 winner but Struggled this year and seemingly best watched at present; However is the only horse with major soft ground form and shocks in this race are common, so maybe a small e/w bet at value prices?

Saphresa: Improved beyond recognition to run out a good winner of this 12 months ago (Spacious and Strawberrydaiquiri third and fourth) and back to best when beating Dalghar at Longchamp 4 weeks ago; Done all winning on good or former but handled soft ground just fine when fourth behind Goldikova last year and comes her fresh and ready if handling ground.

Spacious: Top class all her life and as good as ever this term, runner-up on last 3 of her 4 starts, behind Music Show and Lillie Langtry in Falmouth and Matron Stakes respectively; Ran a shocker last seen on soft, but everything else set for good run.

Strawberrydaquiri: Did nothing but progress last year, notching a 4 - timer with best and 3rd Listed win at Sandown under a heavy penalty, giving her a mark of 113 before excellent fourth in this very race; Been much the same story this year, excellent wins in the Dahlia and Windsor Forest being supplemented by fourth place finishes in Falmouth and Nassau Stakes; So basically, only a tad more needed to have a major say, if handling soft.

Avaite: Created good impression when winning all 3 starts, none stronger than when she won the Muisora by a nose, having got no run from 2f out but still getting up in last furlong; Failed to stay in Epsom Oaks and fair return from break latest but hasn’t shown form to be winning this, and best trip is 10 furlongs.

Hen Night: Has seen a lot of action this year but improving all the time, running out a convincing winner of Platinum Stakes, following that up with career best fourth in Matron Stakes; Remains to be seen if she’s flattered by that, and up to this.

Music Show: Was very progressive as a 2 year old, winning 3 out of her four starts including the Rockfel Stakes and confirmed that promise when giving weight and a beating to Blue Maiden in the Nell Gwyn on reappearance; Was desperately unlucky to finish sixth in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket considering that she fairly thrashed her side, came too late in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, was stuck out wide at Ascot and then won the Falmouth in great style; Good effort again to only get beaten by Goldikova before coming too late in Matron Stakes; If handling ground, major player but may be over reliant on fast pace.

Rainfall: Has improved markedly with every single run, romping home on debut before coming close second in Haydock listed race; Then stepped up on that to land Jersey Stakes and was making late headway in Falmouth Stakes at the end; Weakened fairly easily out of frame behind Goldikova in Prix Astarte and again in Park Stakes, so it was nice to see a return to form at Ascot last time; This much tougher though.

Sent From Heaven: Now seems very lattered by her fourth in 1000 Guineas, and no chance here judged on subsequent displays, for all she should strip fitter for sixth in listed race at Doncaster recently having disappointed majorly.

Seta: Disappointed in 1,000 Guineas but that result false seeing as she raced along down middle on soft ground ; Has been winning since though, landing listed double with lot in hand at Sandown last time; Should like soft ground (action suggests it) but needs a lot more improvement and form doesn’t hold up.

VERDICT: A solid renewal of this race, with the main protagonists from last year all coming back again. Soft ground is the one thing throwing it all up in the air, as none of the contenders have really shown any form on it, apart from Lalaheeb, who is suggested as a small each/way bet. SAPHRESA seemed to handle soft ground just fine when fourth behind Goldikova a couple of season ago and with freshness and form on her side (only her third run of 2010, and she beat Dalghar with ease last time) she might just be the one. There are an obvious number of alternatives, with Seta, Spacious, Starwberrydaquiri and Music Show all having the ability to win this.