Glorious Goodwood 2011 - Lille Langtry Stakes

3.45 Goodwood

i-Shares Fillies' Stakes (Registered As The Lillie Langtry Stakes) (Group 3) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £28,355

Pick: Sharkandeh (each/way)

Bramella: Had a wonderful 2010 in which she won three handicaps, the latest by 12 lengths, but has been unable to go with her opposition in group company and the same story expected here.

Gallic Star: Acquitted herself with credit in two high class events at end of last season but nowhere near that form this year.

Meezenah: Behind 2 pattern winners on her two juvenile starts and improved no end for step up to 12 furlongs when trashing maiden field by 9 lengths & steady improvement for the rest of the year, when making frame in 3 consecutive Oaks; Not at that level this season and others preferred, like her conqueror last time out, Wild Coco.

Motrice: Highly-progressive filly, having won 3 on trot over 1m6f when coming a good third this event last year (form given major boosts since) & again progression even when well beaten behind Tastahil in backend Group 3; Raced as if all the ability was there in Ascot Gold Cup and while she should improve for that run a lot and go well here, foolhardy to suggest that this is a drop in class.

Polly’s Mark:  Admirable mare who has run with credit on all occasions this season, bumping into some classy performers and same story at Goodwood latest; That said, again vulnerable to something more progressive.

Roxy Flyer: Twice a winner here for local yard when upped to 11 furlongs last year; Steadily outpaced both times she's attempted Listed company this season so step up in trip of 2 furlongs should help but this proabaly too good for her.

Ship’s Biscuit: Didn’t quite make it in Group company last year after breaking her maiden but showing progress towards backend of last season; Performed with credit when fourth on both occasions this season but may want the 2 miles now.

Field Of Miracles: Looked like she could go onto better things when fourth on debut last year (broke her maiden with customary ease) and empathically reversed form with Zain Al Boldan when beating all but Banimpire (as solid a yardstick as you can ask for) in Ribblesdale (part of that has to be down to an inspired front running ride form Richard Hughes) but should make a bold bid here anyway; Will stay.

Shankardeh: Made a deep impression when winning first two starts but first show of real talent when unlucky third in Prix Du Malleret, when her rider was one of many to gift an easy lead to a previously impressive winner; Will stay this trip and rates a major player.

Wild Coco: Promising debut when chasing home well-backed horse and that blown out of the water when bolted up in Haydock maiden last month (2nd, 3rd and 6th all won next time) and improved again when holding Meezenah with degree of comfort at Newmakret (pair were in slation) and should go well again here.

VERDICT: Despite the presence of useful older mares Motrice and Polly’s Mark, this may rest between a trio of progressive and classy 3yo’s. Of them, SHANKAREH is preferred, with her Group 2 third surly entitling her to be involved and with good reason to expect an improvement on that form as well, and she can beat Field Of Miracles and Wild Coco, both of whom have appealing profiles.