Shadwell Fillies' Mile 2011

3.00 Newmarket

Shadwell Fillies' Mile (Group 1) (Class 1)  (2YO only)

Winner £88,785

Advice: 1 pt win Lyric Of Light (2/1 general)

Albamara: Unlucky loser behind Godolphin newcomer on AW and then romped home at Epsom next time (hard to tell if she had to improve to do so), looking improved for the step up in trip; That form been let down since though and far hardest rest here.

Devotion: Took time to get hang of things but looked useful enough to compete at pattern level when running out ready all the way winner of Leopardstown maiden; Soft ground possibly didn’t suit her but this too hard.

Fallen For You: Well backed on debut before winning impressively, defying slow start and then being pushed out wide to come home with some ease; That form working out well (runner-up Rhythmic has won well since and third looked unlucky on her next start); Improved a little but still immature when edged out of things by Fallen For You last time at Doncaster; Reversal of that form not out of the question.

Firdaws: Progressed from taking debut (should have won after a slow start, form is decent) and impressive considering she was drawn 18 out of 18 at Salisbury when winning by a head (some would say she was workmanlike); Step up in trip should bring her on a lot and has to be considered a major player.

Lyric Of Light: Ran out a ready winner of Newmarket maiden for team that holds a strong hand in this division and impressive when beating Fallen For You latest, although she was a little wayward in edging opposing runner up across the track; Did have clear superiority though even if just half a length, and will take some stopping here.

Salford Art: Heavily interfered with when beaten by useful filly two starts back and again had trouble with clear run when fifth over C&D last time; This demands that she’s going to be 10lbs better than her track position.

Samitar: Created god impression when running out Ready winner of Albany Stakes, looking as if she would improve for experience/trip so disappointing to see her caught (looked like non stayer) in sales race last time; Acquitted herself well again but well held behind front two in May Hill but that form’s unlikely to be reversed.

Semayyel: Never going early pace over 6 furlongs on debut and like so many from stable, improved for that significantly when running out fairly ready winner over 7f;Well held when fifth behind 3 protagonists latest and while booking of title chasing Kieren Fallon catches the eye.

VERDICT: A solid renewal of the first renewal away from Ascot. It’s very hard to split Fallen For You and LYRIC OF LIGHT but the winner seemed to be idling just a bit and may confirm the form from last time. Firdaws is expected to show up well on her first crack at this company thanks to a longer trip. 

Oh So Sharp Stakes 2011

1.15 Newmarket

Sakhee Oh So Sharp Stakes (Fillies' Group 3) (Class 1)  (2YO only)

Winner £19,281

Advice: 1 pt win Rakasa (4/1 Hills)

Albaspina: Won with something to spare despite doing just about everything wrong (off the bridle before even halfway) at Carlisle so it says something for her chances that she got up with plenty to spare; Can go well here.

Alsindi: Slow start proved no problem when winning her maiden with ease from fair field for the level (second, well held, has since been beaten at evens on AW); No surprise if she was to do well again here although this stiff test.

Cockney Dancer: Created a good impression when beating odds on shot (who had previous found a Group placed horse too good on debut) at Windsor and harshly judged based on fact she was unplaced in very competitive sales race last time out, although this no easier here.

Desert Gazelle: $400,000 yearling who was very impressive when winning by wide margin at July Meeting first time up, and effort in Sweet Solera is unflattering  given that she was posted well wide and nothing could have coped with impressive winner; Interesting here.

Elusive Flame: Knuckled down well to make it 2 wins at Doncaster last time when getting up close home in competitive but only fair Nursery; Interesting that she should  come here but others make far more appeal.

Emirates Art: Given easy time of things when third on debut before winning Yarmouth maiden;’ Supplemented that with hard fought win in Lingfield minor event and others might be better/less exposed.

Minidress: Won newcomers maiden in great style here, giving hope that she could live upto lofty pedigree; Of obvious interest but it must be noted that stable have to better options and form taken some knocks; Another day might await.

Nayarra: Found only one too good on all 4 of her starts in maidens and held herself with credit despite being flattered by slow gallop when just behind Questioning and Rakasa; Both should beat her again.

Questing: Never in danger when creating huge impression at Newbury on debut, beating a pair who both won next time out; Good effort after blowing the start when third and just behind Rakasa at Goodwood; Should go well again.

Rakasa: Created a good impression when coming from long way back to land Goodwood maiden and better again when nearly taking advantage of clear run against Regal Realm (Just ahead of 

Questing and Nayarra; Should take the beating if in that form again.

Villeneuve: Too green when held up on debut (got unbalanced over 3f out before drifting left) and bolted up with that behind her at second time of asking; 6f AW maiden probably didn’t have much to it but respected nevertheless.

VERDICT: As is the norm, plenty here can improve significantly, not least Alsindi and Albaspina. They’ll have to be pretty smart to beat the Godolphin pair of RAKASA and Desert Gazelle, both of whom boast impressive form after just two runs themselves. 

Qatar Prix Vermeille 2011

3.15 Longchamp

Qatar Prix Vermeille (Group 1) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (3yo+) Winner £172,405

Advice: 2 pts Galikova (10/11 Paddy Power)

Sarah Lynx: Back to same sort of form which saw her come close-up fifth at 50-1 in this last year when winning ordinary Group 2 over this trip at Deauville latest; others more progressive.

Shareta: Was only having her second run when bumping into Galikova on seasonal debut, and has since improved quite a deal, gaining easy win last time; Trip promises to suit and can go well.

Testosterone: Has been a different filly for being ridden prominently, following up Group 3 romp with tenacious success in Prix Du Malleret, although given ,massive amount of rope; Should same happen again then hard to catch.

Wavering: Looked for all the world as if this trip would suit when winning Saint – Alary but not proofed that form again since when only sixth in French Oaks and Group 2 latest; More needed.

Wonder Of Wonders: Regally bred and built on deep impression created only start at 2 when cruising home in Tipperary maiden (got no run only start in-between) and a most taking winner of Cheshire Oaks when given lot of ground to make up; Has probably franked that form when second in Oaks and third in Irish/Yorkshire Equivalent but beaten fair and square on both occasions and others make more appeal here.

Galikova: Abundance of promise at 2 when once winner and fifth in Marcel Boussac (too inexperienced) & has delivered on that so far as 3yo, winning conditions contest with plenty to spare over Shareta (gave 3lbs) at Saint Cloud and devastatingly impressive when landing Prix Cleopatre with authority; Got going too late in Prix De Diane behind Golden Lilac and reversed that in convincing fashion at Deauville last time; Crying out for stop up in trip and will be hard to beat even if using this as a prep.

VERDICT: Testosterone and Shareta will be dangerous but both might be relying on an easy lead and the improvement expected from GALIKOVA for the step up to this trip can offset the fact that she, like all others in this race, is using it as a trial for the Arc.

Qatar Prix Foy 2011

Longchamp 1.00

Qatar Prix Foy (Group 2) (4yo+) (4yo+) Winner £63,879

Advice: 2 pts win Sarafina (8/11 Paddy Power)

St Nicholas Abbey: Looked set for big things at two, having shown great turn of foot to land Racing Post Trophy & recaptured that spark after disappointing period with wins in Ormonde Stakes (by 9 lengths) and Coronation Cup; Well beaten behind 2 Arc contenders in King George when slow pace once again caught him out but with 4 runners here, that’s not likely to change.

Hiruno D’Amour: Showed his tactical versatility when landing the Tenno Sho over 2 miles, having take Group 2 over 10 furlongs previously; Strong gallop evident in that success and had break of 133 days since that run, so interesting to watch.

 

Naykayama Festa: Was a big outsider when he burst onto the scene in the final strides of the Takarazuka Kinen to deny hot favourite Buena Vista, announcing his arrival at the top level; Excellent runs on Trials Day and Arc at Longchamp last year, and major player if near form; Injury and long absence suggest different.

Sarafina: Emerged as best 3yo filly in France early last year and deeply unlucky in both Vermille and Arc, when coming too late on both occasions; Peerless in victory this year, especially when beating Cirrus Des Aigles with perfect timing in Grand Prix De Paris; Worry she might not be wound up for this but then again not like rivals have advantage.

VERDICT: With the Arc picture getting clouded over the past month this will tell us a lot about where the main contenders stand. Many will question advising SARAFINA, but the fact is that she’s the best equipped horse to deal with a slow pace here and proabaly has the most talent. Of course she could be undercooked but that’s the case for the everyone running here, so it’s considered a level playing field. 

Qatar Prix Niel 2011

Longchamp 1.30

Qatar Prix Niel (Group 2) (3yo Colts & Fillies) (3yo) Winner £63,879

Advice: 2 pts Meandre (10/11 Hills), 1 pt each/way Nakayama Knight (16/1 Blue Sq)

Vadamar: Sent off odds on for the Prix Greffulhe after easy win in the Listed Prix Francois Mathet at Saint-Cloud, but well held behind Pour Moi at finish (didn’t get great trip) and not disgraced in Derby, where he probably didn’t handle the track that well; Very interesting cotennder.

King Of Arnor: Progressive once stepped upto this trip and crucially once finding ground with proper cut in it, completing a hat-trick following conditions-race wins at Saint-Cloud and Compiegne with easy front running win in Prix Frederic de Lagrange last time; Interesting although most impressive wins with proper juice in ground.

Meandre: Slow developer but getting act together based on last three wins, especially when making remarkable ground to win Prix L‘Avre and Grand Prix De Paris, beating pair of very solid yardsticks; Likely to take all the beating here if fit enough.

Nakayama Knight: Finished fourth of 18 in Japanese Derby on ground that was probably softer than ideal, and with good record of Asian raiders he must be considered closely; Been trained for Arc and could go well here.

  Colombian: Improved for step up in trip when a well backed and clear cut winner of Chester maiden, and has bettered that with two huge runs in major French races, fourth in the French Derby and then a luckless third in Group 2; Effort last time suggest that step up in trip (slower tempo) would help him but not sure he’s’ good enough.

Realiable Man: Three wins from four starts, including the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly in most taking style, having made up plenty of ground in straight; Rated so highly he was left in King George until late on but switched to Grand Prix De Paris instead, where questionable ride left him with too much ground to make up; Unlikely that he would have beaten Meandre anyway, but should be closer today (trainer also somehow felt ground was “too firm” for him.

VERDICT: If MEANDRE comes here ready to do himself justice then it’s likely he’s going to be too good for Reliable Man, who should benefit from being closer to the pace than in the Grand Prix De Paris, Vadamar, who plainly didn’t handle the track in the Derby, and Nakayama Knight, who has been readied for this and is worth each/way support. Confidence is boosted by the fact that the last 2 Grand Prix De Paris winners won this on their way to big shows in the Arc.  

Qatar Prix Du Moulin De Longchamp 2011

Longchamp 2.40

Qatar Prix Du Moulin De Longchamp (Group 1) (3yo+ Colts, Fillies & Mares) (3yo+) Winner £221,664

Advice : 1 pt each/way Rio De La Plata (14/1 general), 1 pt each/way Royal Bench (15/2 VC Bet)

Rajasman: Progressive through last year and continued that improvement last winter, with fourth in big Asian Group 1; Unsuccessful spell in Dubai, but used that to his advantage when just outrunning Byword late on in Group 2 Prix Du Muget and career best when third behind Goldikova; Safely held in Sussex Stakes but better expected here.

Planetur: Was one of best three year olds last season, winning Group 2 before making frame in Prix Du Jockey Club, Grand Prix De Paris & Prix Niel and looked set to be contender for all of those races again until disappointing at Royal Ascot; Decent effort considering quality of opposition when fifth in Jacques Le Marois, but looked too slow for a mile then.

Rio De La Plata: Looked like a potentially immense horse when landing National and Prix Jean Luc Stakes as a 2 year old, before injury curtailed plans; First successful season since when landing 4 out of his eight races last year, the highlight of which was an Italian Group 1 double after his Prix Du Moulin second; Improved on return when third in Queen Anne and no surprise that Frankel and Canford Cliffs were too good for him at Goodwod, so better expected here.

Handsome Maestro: One would imagine that he is here to make the pace for Royal Bench.

Royal Bench: Always had the talent; Second behind Beauty Flash in Hong Kong, fourth in Duty Free afterwards; Sham of a race at Karnjii next time as he proved with excellent running on fourth in Jacques Le Marois latest and should make a bold bid to win.

Zoffany: High class 2yo, fulfilling potential with hat trick of wins highlighted by his cosy Phoenix Stakes success, unsuited by heavy ground when third behind Pathfork in National Stakes; Creditable return (had fallen sick) behind Bewitched in Ballycorus Stakes and new career best when fast closing on Frankel (albeit very much flattered); Backed that up however when just losing out in three way go for French mile Group 1 and while he disappointed last time, soft ground does not bring out best in him; Interesting.

 

Excelebration: Impressed as 2yo, coming clear of fair fields at Doncaster and Newmarket in good style; Even better as 3yo, pushing Frankel closest when second in Greenham and a wide winner of German 2,000 Guineas; Ran another big race when close to Frankel in St James’s Palace (well ahead of Dubawi Gold) and looked as if he was well upto taking a Group 1 when coming well clear in Hungerford; Should go well.

Tin Horse: Looked like horse with future when bolting up by a combined total of 7 lengths on his first 2 starts, barely extended to beat Realisatrice and Zack Yield; Well beaten in Robert Papin but shaped completely differently in the Morny/Prix Jean Luc; Turned promise into classic success when running away with the French 2,000 Guineas latest but that a poor renewal to say least and well held in French Derby/Jacques Le Marois.

Dubawi Gold: Had seemingly lost way when disappointing at Royal Ascot (too close to strong pace) and at Newbury (pushed out wide and ran too keen for his own good); Back to best when held up to take Celebration Mile at Goodwood but that a poor race; Chance but needs everything to drop right.

VERDICT: Excelebration is a worthy favourite but enthusiasm about his chances is tempered slightly by the fact that Zoffany – Unable to show his best on soft ground since – beat him fair and Square at Royal Ascot. The two that make most appeal for a big show here are RIO DE LA PLATA and ROYAL BENCH, with Dubawi Gold having a lot to prove in this company. 

The Irish Field St. Leger 2011

3.50 Curragh

The Irish Field St. Leger (Group 1) (3yo+) Winner €127,600

Advice: 2 pts win Fame & Glory (5/6 Blue Sq)

Duncan: Quirky; best ever season last year, with a Hardwicke second added to with a win in the Foy on trials day; Not up to it in the Arc but boasts some of the best form claims and underlined those with win under penalty (battled well) in Yorkshire Cup to begin the season; Sixth in Ascot Gold Cup but clearly didn’t handle 2m4f and better when second to Opinion Poll latest; This trip should be perfect and good chance here.

Fame & Glory: Top class middle distance horse last year who has replicated that form at marathon trips, running out a ready winner of the Ascot Gold Cup after unconvincing trials; Same story again when unable to find a way past Fictional Account (who he is 2lbs better off with); Should improve for that run (his first since the Ascot Gold Cup) and the one to beat if back to his best here.

Jukebox Jury: Made giant strides in 2009 when winning the Grand Prix De Deauville and the Preis Von Europa, before finishing a very close second in the Canadian International and has found best for of late with a comfortable Group 2 win despite drifting markedly as field fanned out off far turn); Should go close here although he wouldn’t want to be going wide off the turn.

Red Cadeux: Always there or thereabouts when in big handicaps last season, although never winning for variety of reasons; Finally had things fall right for him when running out ready enough winner of Listed handicap and built on unlucky effort when miles clear of opposition in Curragh Cup; Not backed that up in two starts since and held by Jukebox Jury on latest running.

Waydownsouth: Admirable form before this season but has found life very tough since coming third in the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Fictional Account: Ran a stinker in Ascot Gold Cup but proven she remains as good as ever when going down just a head to Sense Of Purpose and got the better of Fame & Glory in hard fought battle here latest; Not to be discounted but 2lbd weight turnaround might shift it to the former.

VERDICT: The talents of Jukebox Jury and Duncan are in no doubt but both will have to be at their best to defy FAME AND GLORY a sixth Group 1. The Gold Cup winner found nothing off the bridle when asked last time but there’s a feeling he’ll be fitter this time round while a 2lbs turnaround with Fictional Account, along with the soft ground he relishes (4 wins with soft in the description).

Ladbrokes St Leger 2011

3.10 Doncaster

Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes (Group 1) (Entire Colts & Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo) Winner £306,262

Advice: 1 pt win Sea Moon (13/8 Blue Sq)

Brown Panther: Leapt onto pecking order for this race with stunning Ascot handicap win, but things not gone that well upped to Group company; Went too hard in German Derby and held up too far back when behind Census last time, but feeling that latter named horse has improved past him.

Buthelezi: Had his quirks but still rapidly progressive as a juvenile when winning maiden and nursery & confirmed his progress when winning competitive handicap on seasonal reappearance; Excelled himself last twice and long trip should him but looks to plain slow.

Census: Took time to come to hand as a 2yo but impressive in breaking maiden when stepped up to a mile and yet more progress when upped in trip this season, taking handicap at Newbury impressively before doing best of those held up when it paid to race prominently in the King George Handicap at Royal Ascot; Progressed again when second to Masked Marvel and ran straight as a bullet when winning Group 3 at Newbury, so must be considered a prime contender.

Genius Beast: Built on already solid two year old form when a clear cut and decisive winner of the Bet 365 Classic Trial at Sandown, taking advantage of whole field dispersing across the track; Better form when third in the Hocquart but well held in the Hardwicke Stakes/Voltigeur; Has ideal profile to come to boil here but does looks safely held by more progressive side. 

 

Masked Marvel: Regained earlier promise shown on debut when an impressive winner of the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood, easily beating a useful but limited field; Well held in Derby but right back to best when winning Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket, possible taking advantage.

Sea Moon: Cemented a high reputation earned last winter with deeply impressive handicap win under topweight on reappearance; Blew that out of water when cantering home with Great Voltigeur, although there are some doubts about that form (false ground accentuated margin, this harder race) seriously impressive win and the one they have to beat if he wants to win here.

Seville: Only disappointed once in career and holds a winning chance based on his two Group 1 seconds this season, the form of which has been boosted majorly; Poorest run since Derby when well beaten behind Sea Moon at York, where he looked as if long season had caught up with him; If that’s not the case, he comes into the equation.

Blue Bunting: Huge for a filly with her breeding to win 1,000 Guineas on seasonal debut and strong fancy for Oaks off the back of that, but chance compromised by slowly run race (poor ride); Amends made when just getting up in Irish equivalent and better again when winning Yorkshire Oaks last time, looking better as she went on;

Rumh: Pacemaker for Blue Bunting.

VERDICT: With so much choice around the original school of thought was to oppose SEA MOON but he’s got a super strong set of credentials and flaws can be picked in many of his rivals, not least the fact that he’s had a very light season (only 2 runs so far, compared to a minimum of 4 for everything else in the race), while he can improve again for the step up in trip from last time. Triple Group 1 winner Blue Bunting has had a long season, Census, Masked Marvel and Brown Panther could all finish on top of each – other which leads me to believe that neither may be a world beater, while Seville looked a very tired horse when beaten so quickly in the Great Voltigeur.