QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes 2013

2.55 Ascot

Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £300,563

Advice: 1 pt Dalkala to finish in top 3 (4/5 Bet Victor)

Belle De Crecy: Took her form to a new level (improved some 20lbs since the start of the season) when a 16/1 winner of Blandford Stakes over Hot Snap; That has to make her a form player but unraced on slower than good and upped in class seriously.

Dalkala: Classy French sort and now Group 1 winner after late charge to nail Tasaday in the last strides of Prix L’Opera; That a new career best after failing to hang on in Prix Jean Romanet and gives her leading form chance, while she has been proven to handle soft ground (won Prix Royallieu on heavy last year); Going to take a lot of beating.

Igugu: One of South Africa’s top mares, but not been able to make the grade in UAE, and beaten in Listed company latest; Needs more to make an impact.

Nymphea: Second in the German Oaks last year before a beaten favourite behind Altano in 1m6f Group 3; Listed win before Haydock group 2 second by a nose;

Seal of Approval: needs a big step forward on Newbury Listed win to get seriously involved here but has been doing that all season and not discounted for all that we don’t know she’ll handle this much tougher test.

Hot Snap: Looked a horse of serious potential when romping away with Nell Gwyn despite clear greenness, and while she was a flop in Guineas, back on track with Nassau third (looked as if 1m4f would suit a lot that day); Flat footed latest when second to Belle De Crecy so this trip not coming too soon but others make slightly more appeal here.

Talent: Lived up to her name when a clear winner of the Oaks from some way behind off strong pace, but free pulling killed her chances when nowhere in Irish Oaks; Back to form when second in St Leger, where she could have gotten closer had she not been blocked in trying to manouver for a run; ‘Soft’ ground a new thing but handled cut before and stamina likely to be a crucial asset today so plenty of appeal.

Walia: Taken big steps forward in just three runs, fifth in Ribblesdale at Royal Meeting before destroying listed rivals at Newmarket in poor race for the grade; Off since then as she struck into herself but not exposed in any sense.

VERDICT: A strong race for the first Group 1 running of this event with two Group 1 winners at the head of the market. Talent and DALKALA will both take some beating, with preference just for the French filly after her tenacious Prix L’Opera win last time out. Alain De Royer Dupre’s charge has the advantage of being a winner on heavy last season at this trip, and while Talent has form with cut in the ground, that’s just enough to sway the vote. Hot Snap has been looking for this trip but has questions to answer after being caught so flat footed last time by Belle De Crecy, while Walia’s absence since July is offputting. Take the 4/5 about the French filly being able to finish in the top 3.