16:05 Chester

Friday 12 May 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:3517:05

TMT Group Maiden Fillies' Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 1m 27.72s

(2)

Alniyat¹⁹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Smullen| T: E A L Dunlop

14/1

Sepoy filly, cost 55,000 gns as a foal. Half-sister to Battibecco and dam was half-sister to Listed winner. Plenty of speed in her pedigree but she didn't appear to enjoy much about her racecourse debut when a 66/1 shot in a weak maiden at Kempton last year and probably best watched for now.

Form: 0-

(1)

Cheerfilly¹⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe

8/1

Excelebration filly, cost €70,000 as a yearling. Both her starts not without promise but eventually well beaten. Given some time to recover from those excursions and may do better now and connections target this meeting. Could go well from her pea draw.

Form: 54-

(7)

Desert Rain¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J F Egan| T: S bin Suroor

5/1

Invincible Spirit filly who was a beaten favourite at Doncaster at the end of last month. Plenty of middle distance form in her pedigree so this step up in trip looks sure to help but widest draw not ideal.

Form: 22

(4)

Gymnaste¹⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden

11/8

Shamardal filly, cost €260,000 as a yearling. Backed into odds-on on debut but still looked a little green leaving the stalls and couldn't quite get to the winner. Plenty of promise in that effort though and she could have improved any amount in the interim. Should go well for connections that have had winners here this week and drop back in trip shouldn't be an issue, with plenty of speed in her pedigree.

Form: 2-

(3)

Highland Pass^h1²¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 79

7/2

Unplaced on all three starts to date and this would probably have to be a below par maiden if she is to get her head in front. Wears a hood for the first time.

Form: 437-

(5)

Princess Ophelia

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Alistair Rawlinson⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby

80/1

Notnowcato filly, cost £600 as a foal. Dam was a moderate mare, only managing to place in a seller but she was a half-sister to a Group 2 winner (Masamah). Trainer also has a fair record here so shouldn't be completely dismissed but it would be a surprise if she's good enough to take this contest on her debut.

Form:

(6)

Set In Stone¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: T P O'Shea| T: J P Shanahan| OR: 75

8/1

More exposed than the rest of this fied and she would want plenty more rain if she is to be considered in a field of this strength, trainer's runners have been running well here this week so any market support should be noted.

Form: 62-35

Forecasts

Gymnaste (11/8), Highland Pass (7/2), Desert Rain (5/1), Cheerfilly (8/1), Set In Stone (8/1), Alniyat (14/1), Princess Ophelia (80/1)

It's hard to oppose GYMNASTE despite failing to justify odds-on favouritism last time. She looks capable of progressing this summer and the drop back in trip could be in her favour so she gets the narrow vote ahead of Desert Rain. She has shown plenty of ability on both starts and with plenty of middle distance form in her pedigree, she should appreciate going up in trip. Cheerfilly may be best of the rest and she's bred to be better than what she has shown so far. Set In Stone could be an each-way option if there's a deluge.