14:40 Haydock

Saturday 8 July 2017

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

bet365 Lancashire Oaks (Fillies' Group 2)

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 2m 33.74s

(6)

Abingdon¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 110| D

6/4

Triple Listed winner who is the top-rated in this field. Was well beaten in her only previous try at this level last season, but that was probably more about the trip than any class issues. Gets another try here over her optimum, has the ground to suit and will be tough to topple.

Form: 11215-1

(2)

Ajman Princess²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 107| D

6/1

Has been in good form this season with wins at Lingfield in a maiden (1m2f, AW) and in a Listed contest at Goodwood (1m4f, good to firm). The ground may not have been ideal for her in a Group Three here last time and she is not one to write off on the strength of that and could still be improving now back on faster ground.

Form: 220-113

(8)

Dubka²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: P J Dobbs| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 102| D

11/1

Ran up a hat-trick last season in handicap company. Stepped up to Listed level at Goodwood, she was 12L behind Ajman Princess, though it is possible that she needed that, because she turned the tables on that reopposing rival here last time in a Group Three when 1½L runner-up. Has a bit to find overall, but should be competitive.

Form: 1115-62

(7)

Lucy The Painter¹³

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

33/1

Hasn't managed to add to the four-timer she completed in the early part of last year and was along way behind a couple of these at both Goodwood and Pontefract on her last two starts. Has a very tough task on her hands just to get involved.

Form: 096542

(1)

The Black Princess⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Robert Tart| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107| BF

3/1

Yet to finish out of the frame in seven starts, winning three of them, including a Listed race and being a 2½L third in last year's Ribblesdale at this level. Was also beaten just over 1L in the Group Two Middleton (1m2½f, good to soft) last time out at York. Looks a serious player here, though has it to prove on quicker ground.

Form: 2231-12

(3)

Hertford Dancer¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Harry Bentley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 105| D

5/1

Scored in Lingfield's Oaks Trial (1m3½f, good) two starts ago and then finished just over 1L second in last month's Group Two Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot. Very much a contender on that evidence and acts well on both good and fast ground.

Form: 41-3213

(4)

Rich Legacy¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: David Probert| T: R M Beckett| OR: 103

12/1

Already a winner at this level (last season's May Hill Stakes, 1m, good) and flopped when highly tried after that. Best effort since was when fourth, 1½L behind Hertford Dancer) in the Ribblesdale last time. A little still to find on that basis, but still has each-way claims.

Form: 4140-44

Non-Runners

(5)

Wilamina³⁸

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: M Meade J: Josephine Gordon

Forecasts

Abingdon (6/4), The Black Princess (3/1), Hertford Dancer (5/1), Ajman Princess (6/1), Dubka (11/1), Rich Legacy (12/1), Wilamina (16/1), Lucy The Painter (33/1)

ABINGDON is well worth another try at this level over this trip and with conditions ideal, she gets the vote in this Group Two contest. Although he had previously run well with cut underfoot, Ajman Princess was possibly unsuited by particularly testing conditions here last time and looks capable of going close, while the John Gosden pair Hertford Dancer and The Black Princess should both be thereabouts.