15:30 Haydock

Saturday 10 June 2017

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Betway Pinnacle Stakes (Fillies' Group 3)

Off time: 15:32 | Winning time: 2m 36.91s

(4)

Ajman Princess³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 107| D

11/4

Runner-up at Group Two level in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot last year (soft) and arrives here in rattling good form after wins in a Lingfield maiden (1m2f, AW) and then by 5L in the Listed Daisy Warwick Stakes at Goodwood last time (1m4f, good to firm). Form looks strong for this return to Group company and will be tough to beat.

Form: 2220-11

(8)

Bateel^h⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: F Graffard| OR: 103| D

2/1

Former David Simcock-trained French raider who has her desired conditions for a return to these shores. Already a soft ground Listed winner at Newmarket last season and was runner-up in a 1m7f Chantilly Group Three last time. Looks a major player.

Form: 25150-2

(1)

Chinoiseries^h1³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: F Sweeney| T: D M Simcock| OR: 89

25/1

Not been easy to train by all accounts, having won a Chepstow maiden (1m, soft) on debut two seasons ago, before running respectably in a Listed contest in the autumn of 2015. Wasn't seen again until beaten 14L by Ajman Princess at Goodwood last time and has plenty to prove at present.

Form: 15/7

(6)

Dubka³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 97| BF| D

7/1

All three of her wins were last summer and over this trip, the one at Doncaster also being on soft ground. However, she too was beaten (12L) by Ajman Princess at Goodwood last time when sent off as the favourite. She improved markedly for her first start last year, so don't rule out a much better effort, but does has something to find today.

Form: 11115-6

(2)

Island Remede^b⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: G Lee| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 97

16/1

Interesting Irish challenger whose last win was in a Limerick maiden hurdle (2m, soft/heavy) in December. Did won on soft on the Flat (1m1f) for Ed Dunlop in 2013, and has been paced in both Group Three and Listed company, including last time out over this trip. Each way claims.

Form: 76/305-2

(9)

Lucy The Painter¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: E De Giles| OR: 93

16/1

Had she not been disqualified on her first start for this yard last year she would have a four-timer to her name, though those wins were in a significantly lower grade than this. Did make the frame in a Group Three at Sandown later in the season, but has struggled in five Listed races since and stepped up in trip, which looks likely to tax her stamina.

Form: 59-0965

(7)

Maleficent Queen¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: R Winston| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 105

8/1

Put together a five-timer in 2015/early 2016, including a 1m2f Listed win at Ayr to cap that off. Has failed to add to that at trips up to 2m since then, but this distance is more like it and she is well worth her place in this grade, while cut in the ground is not a problem. Should be competitive.

Form: 98-5243

(3)

Return Ace²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 96| D

8/1

Heavy ground winner over this trip at Newmarket last year, though well held when tried in Listed company on her most recent run, in November. Ran well when fresh last year, so may do better again this time, but has it to prove in this grade.

Form: 2113/15-

(10)

Zain Arion²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: J Butler| OR: 85| D

20/1

Underlined that this trip and ground are ideal when scoring at York last time at 20-1, from a 7lb lower mark. However, this is much tougher than she has previously encountered and despite coming here in good form she needs a lot of improvement to figure.

Form: 451-121

Non-Runners

(11)

Laganore²⁸

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: A J Martin J: Non Runner

(5)

Tioga Pass²⁴¹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 6

T: P & O Cole J: David Probert

Forecasts

Bateel (2/1), Ajman Princess (11/4), Laganore (3/1), Dubka (7/1), Return Ace (8/1), Maleficent Queen (8/1), Lucy The Painter (16/1), Island Remede (16/1), Zain Arion (20/1), Tioga Pass (20/1), Chinoiseries (25/1)

Maleficent Queen may not have won for several starts now, but she is largely consistent and capable of a big run here, while Irish raider Laganore is also a player, though the nagging doubt is that she is better on fast ground. Bateel looks perhaps the best of the foreign raiders, but preference is for AJMAN PRINCESS, who finished well ahead of some of these at Goodwood last time, and whose runner-up spot in soft ground in last year's Ribblesdale is right up there with the best form on offer here.