Top trainer Mark Johnston
Top trainer Mark Johnston

West End Girl aiming to be May Hill show stopper at Doncaster


West End Girl is looking to build on her comprehensive Sweet Solera victory in a competitive renewal of the William Hill May Hill Stakes at Doncaster on Thursday.

The Mark Johnston-trained filly is a little unfortunate not to be unbeaten in three races to date, having won on her debut at Haydock before meeting trouble in running in the Listed Star Stakes at Sandown.

She gained ample compensation in the Group Three at Newmarket last time out and is one of the main contenders in a field of nine.

Part-owner Mike Spence said: "She was unlucky at Sandown when she was still a bit green and hit a flat spot, without that she could easily be unbeaten.

"She was impressive last time out, when she went a bit quick really but still won and was even going away at the finish.

"She doesn't look like a middle-distance filly to me. Her dam was quick and won over six furlongs, but she is by Golden Horn so it will be interesting to see how she does over the winter.

"It looks a competitive race, Aidan O'Brien's (Passion) was very impressive last time out and she looks like she'll excel over middle distances next year."

Another Group Three winner in the field is Tom Dascombe's Boomer, who beat subsequent Dick Poole scorer Dark Lady in the Prestige Stakes over seven furlongs at Goodwood.

"We were delighted with her win last time out and the step up in trip should suit," said Dascombe.

"She's like her mother (Wall Of Sound) in that she's improving with every run and is a real trier."

Richard Hannon's Cloak Of Spirits was very impressive on her only outing to date at Ascot in July.

"We fancied her to run well at Ascot on debut, but didn't quite expect her to do it the way she did so we very quickly knew we had a good filly on our hands," Hannon told Unibet.

"This race has been the plan ever since and hopefully we can go on to the Fillies' Mile after this. Obviously it's a good race, but she's a good filly and I'm really excited about seeing how far she can go."

Hugo Palmer's Powerful Breeze has a similar profile in winning her only start to date at Newmarket at 20-1.

"We've always liked her and she came to hand quite quickly, scoring on debut at Newmarket," said Palmer.

"Everything has gone well since and we're hoping to get some black type. On pedigree the step up in trip should suit her."

Charlie Appleby's Alpen Rose is a course and distance winner already.

"Alpen Rose progressed nicely from her first to her second start and produced a decent performance to win over this course and trip last time out," Appleby told www.godolphin.com.

"This will be a tougher test, but she goes into the race in good order and we are hopeful that she can be competitive at this level."


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