3.05 Royal Ascot
Ribblesdale Stakes (Fillies' Group 2) (Class 1) (3YO only)
Winner £85,065
Advice: 1 pt win Winsili (11/4 Bet365)
Cocktail Queen: Bred to enjoy a staying test, being by
motivator, and shown flashes of talent – like her Group 3 second at Deauville
last year – but plenty to prove on two starts since and others appeal more. 
Elik: Improving and better than her form figures would
suggest, second to Woodland Aria (twice pattern placed at Wolves before fourth
in Cheshire Oaks and winner herself at Goodwood latest; Will enjoy the step
upto 1m4f and feeling that she has more to give, so on the shortlist. 
Fershah: Didn’t need to improve much from close maiden third
here on debut when improving to score at Leicester last time but this requires
a big step up from her and not sure she’s capable of it despite this being only
her third start. 
Gerturde Versed: Easy win in Kempton maiden over (1m3f) and
ahead of Elik when second in Cheshire Oaks, but more exposed than that one and
well beaten in Oaks latest; Others preffered. 
Hollowina: Should enjoy this trip, but well behind Elik and
Gertude Versed in Cheiskre Oaks and beaten a long way in Musidora; Best to look
elsewhere. 
Indigo Lady: Useful two year old, coming third in Prix
d’Amaule and then promising comeback fourth in Musidora; Looks like she would
get this trip but very one paced there and others appeal more. 
Just Pretending: Has the leading form prospects going into
this race, having won Irish 1,000 Guineas trial and then come third in the
actual event, sticiking on well when challenged for third; Big concern is fact
that this will be completely different stamina test and impossible to be
confident about her chances of her getting the trip.
Riposte: Green all the way and never able to challenge Walia
(who reopposes today, pair closely matched) on debut but clearly all the better
for it when landing Newmarket maiden over 1m4f latest; Should come forward for
that and interesting runner here.
Walia: Treated with the kid gloves on debut at Nottingham
and reaped the benefits of that when landing 10f Sandown maiden, beating
Riposte (next time out winner) with fair
bit in hand; Closely matched with that one and in grand scheme of things, needs
to improve a lot, for all that she’s had just the two starts. 
Winsili: Extremely impressive on debut and while she was
beaten over 1m here next time middle distances always going to be her domain,
and comfortable winner of Listed race at Newmarket on return, when getting
first run over the rest of the felid but justifying favouritism in style (The
Lark in third); Step upto 12f should pose no problems even if she won’t get quite an easy ride and
of considerable interest here.
VERDICT: A fascinating renewal with many having more to give
while holding strong form claims as well. Alive Oh Alive is hard to oppose
following her recently listed romp but there’s a wealth of depth in here and
WINSIL fancied to build on her extremely impressive debut at Listed level, with
the step up in trip not expected to bother her. Just Pretending has the best
form courtesy of her Irish 1,000 Guineas third but stamina is a huge concern
for her and Riposte might be a bigger threat.
No comments:
Post a Comment