Qatar Nassau Stakes (Fillies' & Mares' Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 2m 6.22s

(4)

Rhododendron⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| C| D

15/8

Back to her best with a third Group 1 success in the Lockinge in May but she disappointed in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, probably ridden too prominently given the first two past the post were held up. Obvious claims if back to her best again.

Form: 712-419

(2)

Urban Fox³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: W J Haggas| OR: 115| D

3/1

Took her form to a new level when winning the Pretty Polly at the Curragh last time out beating the Oaks winner in the process. Drying ground will suit and still unexposed over this trip so she ought to be right there for a yard bang in form.

Form: 844-141

(3)

Wilamina⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M Meade| OR: 106| D

16/1

Career best when winning a Group 3 at Epsom in June and not disgraced at Royal Ascot when third in the Duke Of Cambridge. Has a fair bit to find up at this level though and all her wins have come with more cut in the ground than what's likely here.

Form: 035-213

(5)

Billesdon Brook⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 115| C

15/2

Career best effort when winning the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. No match for Alpha Centauri at Royal Ascot but she stayed on like this step up in trip may suit and she already has two course wins to her name.

Form: 115-414

(1)

Veracious⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: L Dettori| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 107

5/1

Impressive winner of a Newmarket maiden that's worked out well since and ran with plenty of credit in the Coronation Stakes when third, 1¾L in front of Billesdon Brook. Less exposed than most in here and there could be more to come up in trip.

Form: 31-3

(6)

Wild Illusion^p⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 111| BF

4/1

Won the Marcel Boussac at Chantilly towards the end of last year and finished runner-up in both the Oaks and Ribblesdale. A little more exposed than some in here and she will need a career best to win this.

Form: 131-422

Forecasts

Rhododendron (15/8), Urban Fox (3/1), Wild Illusion (4/1), Veracious (5/1), Billesdon Brook (15/2), Wilamina (16/1)

Aidan O'Brien won this last year with Winter and three-time Group 1 winner Rhododendron represents the trainer this year. The four-year-old brings the highest official rating in to the race but it might be worth taking her on with URBAN FOX who produced a career best at the Curragh last time. William Haggas' charge could have more improvement in her Pretty Polly win and she's lightly raced for her new connections. 1,000 Guineas winner Billesdon Brook isn't one to rule out at a likely bigger prices if she improves for this greater emphasis on stamina.