David Ord has a horse-by-horse guide to Friday's bet365 Fillies' Mile and feels it's another Group One prize heading to Ballydoyle.
ANTONIO DE VEGA: Unbeaten in two starts and was a ready winner of the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood last time. However, those in behind have done little for that form since and while she’s undoubtedly very promising and in good hands, more is required here.
BEYOND REASON: Group Two winner at Deauville in August but soundly beaten in Moyglare Stud Stakes last time and the balance of her form leaves her with a bit to find.
HERMOSA: Full sister to Hydrangea and very much going the right way. Followed a fine third in the Moyglare Stud with a comprehensive win in the Weld Park Stakes at Naas, a race her yard won with Imagine and Qualify. More to come over this mile trip and looks the one to beat.
IRIDESSA: Made a winning debut at Killarney in July but limitations seemingly exposed at the Curragh and Leopardstown subsequently. May be capable of better but needs a huge leap forward.
LAYALEENA: Rare debut winner for her yard at Newmarket in August but soundly beaten when switched to an all-weather surface at Lingfield next time. Remains with potential but this looks a very tough ask.
PRETTY POLLYANNA: Well clear on all ratings having won the Duchess of Cambridge and Prix Morny this summer but only fourth when sent off 6/4 favourite for Cheveley Park last time. She never looked like getting to the front that day having made all for her two wins and takes a two furlong step up in trip. Didn’t shape like an out-and-out sprinter last time but her ability to stay this far has to very much be taken on trust.
SHAMBOLIC: Represents the Gosden-Dettori axis and unbeaten in two races at Newmarket and Ascot. Type to go on improving and respected for all she needs to find plenty.
ZAGITOVA: Stablemate of Hermosa and only a neck adrift of her in the Moyglare Stud last time having met with trouble in running. Clearly nothing between them on that form but her neighbour continued her progression at Naas subsequently and this filly needs to go forward again too.
VERDICT: A fascinating race. It’s a bold call to pitch Pretty Pollyanna in here but she hasn’t looked to be crying out for a mile at this stage of her career and looks one to take on. The form of Antonio De Vega’s Prestige win has taken several knocks so it may pay to concentrate on the O’Brien pair with preference for HERMOSA. She’s improving with racing, was impressive last time, and there’s more to come going up in trip here.
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