Princess Elizabeth Stakes 2012

1.40 Epsom

Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored By Investec) (Fillies' Group 3) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £31,190

Advice: 1 pt win Barefoot Lady (5/1 general), 2 pts place Barefoot Lady (4/5 Bet365)

Barefoot Lady: One of the most consistent horses of last season, running creditably on all her starts since winning Nell Gwyn Stakes (several times in Group 1 company); Not at same level first time up but back to form when fourth in the Middleton Stakes latest and has to be given a big chance here on this form.

Boastful: Ahead of Barefoot Lady when taking marked step up in trip and class on debut for new yard when winning 1m Listed race (soft) at Goodwood; This asks more and Fahey charge likely to be in much better shape but she hung right late on and still pulled hard, so has to be respected here.

Clinical: Finished third in this last year but improved a lot since, going onto win 3 listed races before run came to an end when only just beaten in Listed event at Kempton; Worry that others will really take her on but still has to be respected.

Joviality: Only lost out for lack of experience when third in Newmarket maiden and good return when only losing out to a previous winner in Naqshabban at Sandown; Just mastered Barefoot Lady in Musidora and while her Coronation Stakes sixth does not read well at face value, forcing the pace probably didn’t help her (especially with the ground as it was); Disappointment on final start but Fourth in Falmouth Stakes a lot more like it and can go well here if fit and ready to run on her seasonal debut.

Lay Time: Progressed steadily throughought the whole of last season, winning maiden in good style before close handicap second; Not longed for that grade though, with creditable fourth to Theyskens Theory on ground that wouldn’t have suited and proved she had tons more to offer when running out a really ready Listed winner  at backend of last season; The one to beat.

Navarra Queen: Smooth travelling winner of the Premio Mario Incisa Della Rochetta, and was then a good fourth to Dancing Rain in German Oaks; Rest of her form doesn’t quite match upto that but still worthy of respect even dropping down in trip (she’s a strong traveller and a possible back to lay option) although little bit to prove.

Night Lily: Nosed out of things by Clinical getting just a 1lbs at Dundalk last October and second in Group 3 at Lingfield but was surely flattered by winning margin in comparison to Chachamaidee and much more needed here.

Valencha: Progressive in handicaps last year (won three of them, neding up with mark of 91), but all those at 7f and form still leaves her with quite a bit to find; May well also improve for the run here and others preferred.

VERDICT: Lay Time is an exciting prospect and ought to go very well but she’s a bit short compared to two fillies who have Group 1 form in Joviality and BAREFOOT LADY, with preference for the latter on the basis that she might well be more forward than the Gosden charge with two runs under her belt. The 5/1 about her beating Lay Time is tempting while the 4.5 that she can make a place (the first 3) is a good option with the likes of Clinical, Joviality, Boastful and the possible back to lay option if sent into the lead, Navarra Queen.