Fred Darling Stakes 2012

2.35 Newbury

Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Registered As The Fred Darling Stakes) (Fillies' Group 3) (Str) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner £31,190

Advice: 0.5 pt each/way Switcher (9/1 general)

Best Terms: One of the best 2 year olds of last season, winning four on the spin which included the Queen Mary and Lowther Stakes before disappointing in Cheveley Park; Comfortably the best horse in the lineup and one wouldn’t imagine that getting 7 furlongs would be a problem for her but soft ground gives a stamina doubt for her and it’ll be interesting to see how ground dries out (if at all) in morning.

Brick Tops: Responded well to pressure when making winning debut at Doncaster (6 furlongs, soft ground); Since moved yards but this a step up in class and her win hasn’t worked out properly. So others preferred.

Electrelane: Easy winner of maiden at Chepstow (soft) and then improved that form when fourth in Prix Isononmy at Saint Cloud; That form OK but get the feeling she’ll make up into a filly for 10 furlongs this season and this might become a dash for the line.

Filionaire: Some of the best form in this field based on her second to Pimpernel over this C&D although that race not worked out properly  afterwards and now looks like a soft event; Much more cut in the ground today to deal with but interesting. 

Moonstone Magic: Comes here off wide margin and easy Leicester maiden win and has a lot more on her plate here, although the form of those behind her solid enough for the grade and guaranteed to go on the ground, and considered on that basis at least.

Radio Gaga: Made up into a useful filly last year after winning very useful  6f maiden at Haydock on debut; Nursery and Listed efforts better on figures but not those races haven’t quite worked out as one would like and others preferred.

Roger Sez: Made steady progression last year when landing a hat – trick in competitive Nursery at Newmarket and then went onto land 2yo Ayr Group 3 on soft ground; Slight questions over validity of that form following heavy defeat last time out but respected and stays 7f.

Switcher: Stayed on strongly to win 9-runner maiden at Haydock in May by 3½ lengths from previously useful looking Dare To Dream and creditable Albany fourth when behind Samitar, form which is strong in context of this race (on ground which was riding soft); Beaten by classy fillies in France and if putting Fillies Mile disappointment behind her then serious contender.

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; Since well beaten twice in Group company and needs more here (behind Radio Gaga on final 2yo).

VERDICT: Best Terms is the clear class of the field and would be a smashing bet if not for the soft ground, which not only is an unknown, but also brings possible stamina questions into play (although she never looked like a filly who wouldn't get further this season last year despite her preciosity). She could well overcome all these and win but at 7/4 she seems a touch short and the each/way claims of SWITCHER are preferred. A good third in the Albany Stakes – run on testing ground at Royal Ascot last season – is one of the strongest pieces of form in the race, and she could be hard to push out of the places if the going’s as soft as described. Roger Sez and Moonstone Magic are also confirmed to go on the ground and both are worth considering.