14:25 York

Thursday 24 August 2017

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1516:50

Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Fillies Group 2)

Off time: 14:27 | Winning time: 1m 12.48s

(1)

Actress¹¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 106| D

10/3

Already a Group 3 winner in Ireland this season, out of luck last time in top-level 6f contest at the Curragh but likely to have a strong say here.

Form: 126213

(6)

Happy Like A Fool^b,t1⁶⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: Wesley Ward| BF

11/2

Easy winner over 4½f on debut at Keeneland and just faded late on at Royal Ascot last time. Might not need to take a step forward from that effort to land this but softer ground has to be a question mark.

Form: 12

(9)

Madeline³⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 102| D

7/2

Impressive in landing Listed Newbury race last time, has looked progressive this season and strong chance of more to come still.

Form: 5151

(4)

Mamba Noire^v1¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: S Foley| T: K J Condon| OR: 101

25/1

Cork maiden winner over 5f in May, she's been dining at top tables since with great credit. Wears a first-time visor now and needs to find extra in this line-up.

Form: 150337

(8)

Natural³⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Spencer| T: R Hannon| OR: 96

12/1

A clear second at Newbury behind Madeline last time out, that will have pleased connections as she was able to settle better into her race. There should be more in the pipeline.

Form: 102

(2)

Neola¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: G Lee| T: M R Channon| OR: 91| BF

50/1

Effort in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot (5f) was notable, but has been going sideways in two further runs and left with it all to prove now as a result.

Form: 512566

(3)

So Hi Society²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: A Watson| OR: 93| D

16/1

Good effort last time out in 7f Listed event at Sandown, but appears to lack the potential star quality of some of these rivals and doesn't appeal as a likely winner.

Form: 31364

(5)

Special Purpose³¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: W J Haggas| OR: 88

6/1

Winner of both starts so far, both over the minimum trip, has looked a fairly smart prospect in doing so and decision to come straight here is worth noting.

Form: 11

(7)

Threading²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| D

9/2

Very easy winner of a Goodwood maiden over 6f this month on debut. That came on soft ground so the rain that hit here early in the week is not a worry and with more progress likely, is very much one to note.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Actress (10/3), Madeline (7/2), Threading (9/2), Happy Like A Fool (11/2), Special Purpose (6/1), Natural (12/1), So Hi Society (16/1), Mamba Noire (25/1), Neola (50/1)

An intriguing renewal of the Lowther, with some potentially improving fillies lurking. There was much to enthuse about the manner in which THREADING won her maiden on debut at Goodwood recently and, with improvement expected, she can take this step up in class in her stride. The rain that came early in the week should assist her cause and Mark Johnston's charge is capable of landing this. Special Purpose is also unbeaten and going the right way, it isn't to be taken lightly that her trainer has come here for this contest either. Of those with more experience, Actress should go well but Happy Like A Fool may not want to see any more rain before post-time. The improving Madeline is also on the shortlist.