Middleton Stakes 2011

2.00 York
totesport.com Middleton Stakes (Fillies' Group 2) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £56,770

Pick: Music Show (each/way)

Midday: Took her own performances to a new level when completing a hat-trick in Group 1s last summer (Nassau, Yorkshire Oaks, Prix Vermille) & would have made it four but for awful trip in Breeders Cup F&M Turf; Second in this last year under penalty but bumped into top class opponent and one to beat.



Brushing: Sprung surprise when winning 1m4f Listed event here in August but not matched that form stepped up in class afterwards into Group 2 company; Doesn’t really have form claims and easily opposable at this trip.



Field Day: Made progression stepped up to Group company last year, signing off with excellent fourth in Group 1 Prix L’Opera; Beaten long way in Dahila Stakes but will come on a ton for that and no surprise to see her back in shake up here.



Music Show: Tough to find more consistent filly, and gained deserved Group 1 success in lucrative campaign last year (did shape as if this trip would be in her compass); Clearly needed return badly in Bet365 Mile but first two were very good horses and look set for bigger things this year, and can go well with that under her belt.


Myplacelater: Improved out of all recognition last year, beating top class Wigamore Hall at Doncaster before romping home with an excellent second in a Group 2 at Newmarket in October; Would need to be fully tuned up to take hand.


Nouriya: Was in some fine form last year, deifying a penalty to bring up her hat-trick and record a Listed double in the John Musker Fillies' Stakes; Only seventh in Prix L’Opera at back end of last year & would need to improve notably on comeback run to feature here, although noted that she has the potential to do so.



Sajjhaa: Romped home in 10f Sandown maiden and although she didn’t live up to that hype on next two starts, really going the right way when gaining Group 3 success over 1m in Italy in October; More to come this year, so respected but this no easy spot.



Timepiece: Had difficulty proving her reputation at the beginning of last season but really beginning to come good as year went on, winning the Sandringham Handicap & and Newmarket listed event (all – aged against males) in good style; Potential to progress again this season so respected.

VERDICT: Midday’s the best here and the best by some way but this is no easy task with another Group 1 penalty on her seasonal debut. It could pay to take a e/w chance on MUSIC SHOW, who has form to match up with the best of these and should improve for her seasonal reappearance. Timepiece and Sajjhaa are seen by many as the main threats’ but Field Day is the one to outrun her price.