Fred Darling Stakes 2014

2.20 Newbury

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

Winner £34,026

Advice: 1 pt win Al Thakira (4/1 Stan James)

Al Thakhira: Made short work of Yarmouth maiden despite trip being a furlong to short for her on visual evidence and then a deeply impressive winner of Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket; Didn’t handle Santa Anita or the pace of Breeders’ Cup racing but that forgiven and big chance here.

Alys Love: Ability in three last season year, getting closer at Salisbury and Warwick, but this company a whole different level and punching above her weight surely?

Beldale Memory: Had looked very exciting before Queen Mary flop as favourite, winning Bath maiden in good style and then beating better field in same style at York soon after that; Owner’s second string here but if staying, possibly not to be discounted.

Coral Mist: All happened too quickly for her on debut but quickly learned when making amends in style at Haydock next time out and shaped as though big improvement would come upped to this trip in Firth of Clyde Stakes at Ayr latest; High on shortlist.

Dutch Courage: 5 furlongs too short for her and so was 6 (despite winning at Pontefact), but can’t fail to be impressed with way that she overcame significant traffic troubles to land Newmarket Nursery; That only off a mark of 87 but value for far more 

Dutch Romance: Built on the promise of her late headway here when winning at Sailsbury but then beaten back here in Listed race when stamina seemed to fail her; Possible that different result likely on better ground for first time in her life but form need serious improvement for better surface and others still make more appeal.

Joyuese: Frankel half sister who looked well capable of living upto the hype on Lingfield debut; Not the best of runs when third in the Albany and disappointing in Cheveley Park after Sailsbury listed event; Inability to settle properly her main problem there but promise still if keeping calm early.

J Wonder: Belied 16/1 debut odds here for yard that is notorious with improvement from debuts and then landed well contested handicap off 79; Disappointing at York over 6 when taking a keen hold early but more to give for sure and bred to improve for experience; More to prove but interested.

Lady Lara: Some might say that she’s exposed but has proven that she can hold a place in group company, efforts and York and Ascot in particular reading very well here, and on the winning trail with success in conditions stakes here; Softer ground seemed to suit her that day so rain possibly not amiss; Others may have more to give though.

Manderley: Best effort yet when second in sales race on final 2yo outing but that effort leaves her short of a few here and more needed as 3yo.

Valonia: Solid 2yo campaign, having won in good style after big priced second on debut; Favourite to win the Group 3 that Coral Mist won before being run out of it late, and then followed up with respectable, but well beaten third behind Al Thakira in Rockfel; needs to progress again.

VERDICT: One of two trials that signal the return of the better flat horses, even if this is second best by some margin to the Greenham. AL THAKIRA didn’t enjoy the big occasion and unique challenge of the Breeders’ Cup but she is still a horse of considerable promise and she can get back on the winning track here with her Rockfel Stakes win the effort of a good horse in the making, and prove herself a prime guineas contender. It is likely that Joyouse still has more to give if settling, although Coral Mist and J Wonder, sure to improve for the trip, are preferred.