14:40 Ascot

Saturday 21 October 2017

All13:2514:0014:4015:1515:5016:30

Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 2m 40.82s

(7)

Alyssa³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: P J Dobbs| T: R M Beckett| OR: 103| C| D

28/1

Shock 25/1 winner of a Doncaster Group 2 last time out in soft ground. This is much tougher but proven in conditions at least and more progress possible; each-way chance.

Form: 101-031

(4)

Bateel^h⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: P C Boudot| T: F Graffard| OR: 103| D

7/4

French-raider who disappointed in this last year on fast ground but arrives in a bid for a Group four-timer after a career best in a Chantilly Group 1. Beat Journey by 2½L and was going away at the line so no reason why she can't confirm the form.

Form: 50-2111

(5)

Journey^h⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 118| BF| CD

7/2

Impressive when landing this race last year and back to form after a couple of disappoints earlier in the season with a good second behind Bateel in a Group 1 at Chantilly. While she may struggle to reverse that form, she can prove best of the rest.

Form: 111-502

(2)

Left Hand²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: M Guyon| T: C Laffon-Parias| D

16/1

Group 1 winner at Chantilly in 2016 and ran well in the same race this year when third behind Bateel and Journey in September. Not beaten far in another Group 1 at that course last time and step back up in trip will suit; place claims.

Form: 645335

(10)

The Black Princess²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 110| D

40/1

Won a weak Group 2 at Haydock earlier in the campaign but well beaten in a pair of Group 1 efforts behind several of these rivals on last couple of runs. Seceond-string on jockey bookings and may want faster ground to be seen at her best.

Form: 1-12187

(1)

The Juliet Rose^h1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: S Pasquier| T: N Clement| D

16/1

Two-time Group 2 winner over 1m4f at Chantilly including last time when staying on gamely to win from the front. While this is tougher, it's not impossible she will get an easy time on the front end here. Interesting runner in first-time hood.

Form: 0231-41

(9)

Coronet³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: O Peslier| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 113| CD

11/2

C&D Group 2 winner at the Royal meeting but proved no match for Enable on a couple of subsequent starts. Performed to a similar level when fifth of 11 in the St Leger but Dettori prefers Journey and she needs to improve dropped back in trip.

Form: 351425

(3)

Horseplay¹¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 100

20/1

Maiden win on soft ground could hardly have been more impressive and followed up when landing a Listed contest at Newmarket in May. Well beaten in the Oaks however and could only finish fourth in a Group 2 last time. Needs to improve.

Form: 41-144

(8)

Hydrangea^p²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111

4/1

Impressive when beating stablemate Winter at Leopardstown (finished behind that rival on previous four starts) and fine effort in defeat behind another stablemate in a Group 1 last time. May improve for the step up in trip and proven in conditions.

Form: 033412

(6)

Wild Irish Rose²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102| D

66/1

Listed winner at Leopardstown earlier in the year but has struggled upped in class since. Hard to imagine the drop back to this trip is in her favour and she's the second-string on jockey bookings; may be on pacemaking duties.

Form: 115353

Forecasts

Bateel (7/4), Journey (7/2), Hydrangea (4/1), Coronet (11/2), The Juliet Rose (16/1), Left Hand (16/1), Horseplay (20/1), Alyssa (28/1), The Black Princess (40/1), Wild Irish Rose (66/1)

Last year's winner, Journey, won this contest last year and is likely to go well again but she may struggle to get the better of BATEEL this time around on softer ground. The latter was particularly impressive last time out, beating Journey by two-and-a-half lengths and she looked well on top at the line. The Juliet Rose may get an easy time on the front end and has shown how dangerous she can be with an easy lead. She's likely to ensure there's a strong pace on and may hang on for a place.