Newmarket -
14:35 Connoly's Red Mills Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1) (Fillies, 2YO)
Some of this season's best 2 year old fillies gather here for this one & like always at group level the race is filled with some of the top stables & jockeys who line up ready to go head to head once more, one things for certain is that this is definitely not a race that lacks quality so we should be in for an exciting race which will ultimately determine which filly comes out as the top 2YO of the season. Below i have gone through each runner & given then a rating out of 10.
ALUTIQ - This Eve Johnson Houghton filly showed some solid promise when making a winning start on debut back in April at Kempton over 5f & followed that up by winning a handicap event at Newbury also over 5f two races later, but has perhaps not gone on from that how her connections may have wanted. Following that Newbury Success she stepped up to contest a group 2 at Royal Ascot & certainly wasn't disgraced when finishing 7th of 23 runners behind the very impressive Rizeena, in my eyes this is her best run to date. Since then she has finished a solid 5th in a big fielded valuable handicap but her last two runs (one at group 2 & last time at listed company) have been moderate at best finishing 5/9 & 4/6. Majority of her runs have come on the good to firm ground so no problems there although i think she would have to improve a fair bit & produce by far her best run yet to take this one. Overall Rating = 4
COME TO HEEL - This Irish runner is coming over to England for the first time which on that evidence alone suggest he should be pretty useful. Only had two runs to date & has won them both so not much more could be asked of her in that respect. First time out over today's trip of 6f she kept on well to win a maiden at Cork & she followed that promise up with a decent win in listed class next time out under a hands & heels ride from Wayne Lordan & gave the impression that there was perhaps more in the tank if needed. No doubt about it today's task is much harder & although she is not fully exposed & looks as though she should be still improving i think she would need to improve some way & may find a few of these two strong when it comes down to it. Overall Rating = 6
DOROTHY B - This filly represents the John Gosden stable here & she has shown some promise on her three outings to date. Firstly winning a maiden pretty much at ease on her second start at Nottingham over 6f after looking in need of experience when running greenly on debut. That nottingham win came on good too soft ground & she seemed to relish the easing ground. Her best performance to date came last time out in listed company when beaten into second by only a neck by another of today's runner Joyeuse, that run came on good to firm show she looks as though she could be a versatile sort in terms of ground. That run last time out earnt her an official rating of 102 which means potentially she should be closely matched with a few of these & while further improvement is not guaranteed it is likely. Depending on how much improvement we see she could run well & may be worth an each way bet but perhaps taking this might be a bit out of reach. Overall Rating = 6.5
JOYEUSE - Lady Cecil's entry here is another runner here who comes into this for only her fourth racecourse appearance & has she has shaped with plenty of promise so far. Her best performance came when she finished a respectable 3rd of 19 behind one of today's biggest players Kiyoshi in the group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June. She ran on well that day from off the pace to finish 3-4 lengths behind the winner. That run was definitely an improvement on her winning debut run & she followed them both up with a win at listed company last time out when finishing a neck in front of the above mentioned Dorothy B so those two potentially closely matched & could have an interesting battle again today. All in all she looks a decent prospect who has shown she can mix it a group 3 level, I'm not quite sure whether she can cut it at group 1 level & would have to some some 4 lengths with Kiyoshi, but with a lot of these also stepping up for the first time if she continues an upward curve she can run a decent race & may be a viable each way bet. Overall Rating = 7
KIYOSHI - Comes into this as one of the big players & rightly so. This Charlie Hills trained filly has shown plenty of quality on her 4 starts to date. After running a creditable 4th on debut in a big field she wasted no time looking back & decisively landed a goodwood maiden over 6f beating the recent group 2 winner Ihtimal by 1 1/2 lengths. Her last two runs still confirm that she is on the up, when firstly winning the 6f group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot by a decent margin & lost nothing last time out when finishing 2nd behind Rizeena at Curragh after stepping in to 7f to contest a group 1 race for the first time. The good to firm ground is of no problem & today's drop back to 6f i think should only be viewed as a positive. Her form last time out is definitely some of the best on offer & if in the same mood here she could be very hard to beat & should be up there at the business end. Overall Rating = 9
PRINCESS NOOR - Roger Varian's entry showed last time out in group 3 event at Ascot that she definitely does have some ability in big races when beating the well thought of Queen Catrine by 2 lengths, but her form in behind that doesn't look too appealing where she finished a moderate 5/8 & 9/19 in group 2 & 3 races respectively. That 9th came in the Albany Stakes at Royals Ascot & she ended up some 8 lengths behind Kiyoshi who is one of the ones who sets a pretty solid standard here so she would have plenty to find for this. That win last time out was a decent one none the less & if further improvement is on the cards then she can put in a decent run but would need to produce by some way her best effort to date to win this & is probably one for an EW bet at best. Overall Rating = 6
RED LADY - Frankie Dettori's mount comes into this for her fourth racecourse outing. She did indeed show promise when decisively winning a maiden on her second race by 4 lengths over 6f at Haydock & that run came after she finished last of 9 on debut in a warm maiden which produced a top 2YO as the winner in Rizeena. Last time out she was unable to really impress & build on that good maiden success when she was only a moderate 11th of 19 in the Albany Stakes who everyone will know by now was Kiyoshi, so she has plenty of ground to make up with her. All in All i don't think she has shown enough to get seriously involved here today & it would take some considerably improvement after her 99 days off for her to cause an upset here. Overall Rating = 2
VORDA - This French raider comes over to Britain for the first time today & therefore shouldn't be taken lightly as anything the French send over is usually quite handy. She made light work of her first 3 starts by winning all of them including a listed stakes & a group 2 event, both at Maissons-Lafitte & both over 5f. In addition to this excellent start she lost nothing in defeat when stepping up to 6f for the first time last time out in a group 1 event at Deauville when she was beaten by the outstanding american sprinter No Nay Never & she also had Rizeena in behind her that day. The only slight doubt you may have is that she will be experiencing the quickest ground to date with the forecast good to firm but she's looked a class act so can handle this i expect. That latest form puts her right at the front of the que for this one & has to be greatly feared, She is the early priced favourite & i don't think anyone could really argue with that & she should have a bold showing in her which ought to see her right up there. Overall Rating = 9
Chirpy's Verdict -
As with most Group 1 races this should be a good one to watch for the spectator. Kiyoshi & Vorda based on their proven group 1 form (strong form at that) look probably the pair to be concentrating on, neither of them should be disregarded here & are likely to be closely grouped at the front of the market. Come to Heel, Dorothy B & Joyeuse all have likely improvement in them & if continuing on their upward curves any one of them could be a decent EW bet if your looking for something at slightly bigger odds than the two that are likely to dominate the market. All in All though for me Kiyoshi & Vorda can settle this between the two of them & we could potentially see a fascinating battle.
I hope readers find this review both helpful & interesting & as always i would love to hear any feedback anyone might have, just write to me on twitter. Good Luck with whoever you choose!
15:10 Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (Group 1) (Fillies, 3YO +)
The feature race of the day & its set to be good one, with most of the hype around the renewal of the rivalry between the Hannon trained Sky Lantern & John Gosden's Elusive Kate, the pair fought out a controversial ending over C&D in the Falmouth stakes back in July when Elusive Kate come out on top & they look set to play a big part in what should be another fascinating contest. On other fronts the likes of Charlie Hills & Sir Michael Stoute enter some big runners, while Chigun & Duntle go forward for Lady Cecil & D Wachman respectively. On the whole it looks like spectators have another interesting group 1 race to enjoy. Below i have gone through each runner in more & given them an overall rating.
CHIGUN - Lady Cecil's entry comes into this one the back of some poor displays of late after showing some decent promise towards the end of last season. Her last two runs have come at group 1 level where she has been unable to really get involved finishing 7th of 12 7 9th of 12 at Leopardstown & Deauville over in France. Her best form to date came back in may when she ran out a ready winner in a decent group 3 event over 8f at Curragh, this race showed that she has got some talent but she has been unable to go on from that & is yet to prove that she can really cut it at this higher level. If you go back through her races i think you could draw conclusion that she prefers the ground on the firmer side so today's should suit but neverless it looks as though she would have to put some poor efforts behind her and show lots of improvement to get seriously competitive here. Overall Rating = 4
DUNTLE - This Irish Raider comes into this one on the back of what was probably her best piece of form so far when she finished 2nd in a group 1 last time out at Deauville in France but was beaten over 2 lengths that day by one of the biggest players in this one Elusive Kate so it looks as though she would still need to find more to go one better here, admittedly the ground was probably too soft for her liking in that one & today's firmer ground looks to suit better but still has a bit to find. DUNTLE has proved over the past two years that she is a solid group level horse winning 3 times at group 2 & 3 & she has also proved that she can cut it at Group 1 level having finished 2nd on both of her two attempts to date, including when only beaten a head over 8f a leopardstown back in september last year. Overall she isn't one to disregard lightly but is probably best thought of as an each way bet in this one. Overall Rating = 7
ELUSIVE KATE - John Gosden's 4 year old is considered a big player for this one & i think you'd have to be on another planet to disagree, If there's one thing she definitely shows is consistency at the top level, running from the front she is workman like but with class & has reaped the rewards at group 1 level several times over the last few years showing figures of; 10 runs, 4 wins, 4 placed, so her consistency is there for all to see. Her most relevant piece of form in terms of this race has to be when she won the Falmouth stakes over C&D back in July & although it was somewhat controversial with a stewards enquiring into her hampering the second placed Sky Lantern by running across, there wasn't to much in it & in all honesty she always looked to be holding Sky Lantern. All in all she has proved herself to be a very consistent Group 1 performer & although she ran poorly last time out if she bounces back to near her best today in conditions that look to suit she should be right up there & is certainly not one for dismissing. Overall Rating = 9
LA COLLINA - Showed plenty of promise as a 2 year old and didn't waste much time when winning a group 1 event over 6f at the Curragh on only her third racecourse start but then failed to go on from that & was only able to post placed efforts at Group 1, 2 & 3 until recently when she was a surprise 25/1 winner of a group 1 at Leopardstown over today's trip of a mile. She has shown her best overall form i think on good ground so today's quick firmer ground might not be ideal. Her overall form is pretty patchy & certainly doesn't scream consistency, there's also no guarantee that she'll be able reproduce that run last time out although if she did she could be an interesting prospect. Overall she doesn't look one for maximum confidence but if in same mood as last time out could have each way claims. Overall Rating = 6
INTEGRAL - Sir Michael Stoute's 3 year old has won 3 of her 4 outings so far & has shown some promise in doing so. Her best form came last time out when she ran on strongly in a group 3 event over today's trip of a mile at Sandown to force a dead heat on the line. Before that sandown run she raced in a group 1 event over 10f at Goodwood & in all honesty never got into it. Although she ran well last time out i think she would have to shown large improvement today to get seriously involved & although Ryan Moore is a positive rider & he does have his moments of magic she would have to lay down her biggest performance to date to have a real say in this. Overall Rating = 4
JUST THE JUDGE - Hailing from the well known Charlie Hills stable, this 3 year old has won 4 of her 7 racecourse outings & has placed on two of the other 3 (6 at group level) so doubt that she is a horse with some definite talent. Her best form came when she was seen winning the Irish 1,00 Guineas at the Curragh back in late may. Either side of that victory she was beaten by today's early Favourite Sky Lantern, firstly over C&D in the 1,000 guineas & then at the Royal Ascot meeting in the Coronation Stakes. She has looked as though she can certainly mix it at group 1 level despite a poor run last time out but the trip wasn't ideal & back at her optimum now but she looks to have a bit to find with Sky Lantern if she is to really lay down a big challenge here, foolish to dismiss but might find one or two too strong at the business end. Overall Rating = 7
SKY LANTERN - The ever present Hughes/Hannon combination head into this seeking revenge on Elusive Kate for the Falmouth & this filly is definitely a big danger here & is worthy of being on the front end of the market. 3 times a winner at group 1 level & there is no doubt she has class. Her most impressive displays came back to back when she won both the 1,000 Guineas & the Coronation stakes at Ascot in fine style, that run at Ascot was particularly impressive where she was held up & travelled into the race really well, quickening clear inside the final furlong to win decisively by 4 lengths. She looked set to make it a hat trick when finding Elusive Kate hard to pass in the Falmouth all be it being hampered by the winner. All in All if she is in her best mood today this filly could be hard to beat & she looks set to renew her rivalry with Elusive Kate in what looks to be a fascinating clash. On her best form she should be right up there & is a main player in this. Overall Rating = 9
Chirpy's Verdict -
There are a couple here with something to prove & how the race pans out in running could have a big say in the outcome. Realistically the pair to focus on could well be The Falmouth rival SKY LANTERN & ELUSIVE KATE, who both need to bounce back from below par runs last time out but assuming they are capable of doing that they look set to give spectators another good showing & i think the latter could prove a hard one to pass once again if she is given a soft lead.
ELUSIVE KATE - John Gosden's 4 year old is considered a big player for this one & i think you'd have to be on another planet to disagree, If there's one thing she definitely shows is consistency at the top level, running from the front she is workman like but with class & has reaped the rewards at group 1 level several times over the last few years showing figures of; 10 runs, 4 wins, 4 placed, so her consistency is there for all to see. Her most relevant piece of form in terms of this race has to be when she won the Falmouth stakes over C&D back in July & although it was somewhat controversial with a stewards enquiring into her hampering the second placed Sky Lantern by running across, there wasn't to much in it & in all honesty she always looked to be holding Sky Lantern. All in all she has proved herself to be a very consistent Group 1 performer & although she ran poorly last time out if she bounces back to near her best today in conditions that look to suit she should be right up there & is certainly not one for dismissing. Overall Rating = 9
LA COLLINA - Showed plenty of promise as a 2 year old and didn't waste much time when winning a group 1 event over 6f at the Curragh on only her third racecourse start but then failed to go on from that & was only able to post placed efforts at Group 1, 2 & 3 until recently when she was a surprise 25/1 winner of a group 1 at Leopardstown over today's trip of a mile. She has shown her best overall form i think on good ground so today's quick firmer ground might not be ideal. Her overall form is pretty patchy & certainly doesn't scream consistency, there's also no guarantee that she'll be able reproduce that run last time out although if she did she could be an interesting prospect. Overall she doesn't look one for maximum confidence but if in same mood as last time out could have each way claims. Overall Rating = 6
INTEGRAL - Sir Michael Stoute's 3 year old has won 3 of her 4 outings so far & has shown some promise in doing so. Her best form came last time out when she ran on strongly in a group 3 event over today's trip of a mile at Sandown to force a dead heat on the line. Before that sandown run she raced in a group 1 event over 10f at Goodwood & in all honesty never got into it. Although she ran well last time out i think she would have to shown large improvement today to get seriously involved & although Ryan Moore is a positive rider & he does have his moments of magic she would have to lay down her biggest performance to date to have a real say in this. Overall Rating = 4
JUST THE JUDGE - Hailing from the well known Charlie Hills stable, this 3 year old has won 4 of her 7 racecourse outings & has placed on two of the other 3 (6 at group level) so doubt that she is a horse with some definite talent. Her best form came when she was seen winning the Irish 1,00 Guineas at the Curragh back in late may. Either side of that victory she was beaten by today's early Favourite Sky Lantern, firstly over C&D in the 1,000 guineas & then at the Royal Ascot meeting in the Coronation Stakes. She has looked as though she can certainly mix it at group 1 level despite a poor run last time out but the trip wasn't ideal & back at her optimum now but she looks to have a bit to find with Sky Lantern if she is to really lay down a big challenge here, foolish to dismiss but might find one or two too strong at the business end. Overall Rating = 7
SKY LANTERN - The ever present Hughes/Hannon combination head into this seeking revenge on Elusive Kate for the Falmouth & this filly is definitely a big danger here & is worthy of being on the front end of the market. 3 times a winner at group 1 level & there is no doubt she has class. Her most impressive displays came back to back when she won both the 1,000 Guineas & the Coronation stakes at Ascot in fine style, that run at Ascot was particularly impressive where she was held up & travelled into the race really well, quickening clear inside the final furlong to win decisively by 4 lengths. She looked set to make it a hat trick when finding Elusive Kate hard to pass in the Falmouth all be it being hampered by the winner. All in All if she is in her best mood today this filly could be hard to beat & she looks set to renew her rivalry with Elusive Kate in what looks to be a fascinating clash. On her best form she should be right up there & is a main player in this. Overall Rating = 9
Chirpy's Verdict -
There are a couple here with something to prove & how the race pans out in running could have a big say in the outcome. Realistically the pair to focus on could well be The Falmouth rival SKY LANTERN & ELUSIVE KATE, who both need to bounce back from below par runs last time out but assuming they are capable of doing that they look set to give spectators another good showing & i think the latter could prove a hard one to pass once again if she is given a soft lead.
I hope readers find this review both helpful & interesting & as always i would love to hear any feedback anyone might have, just write to me on twitter. Good Luck with whoever you choose!
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