13:50 Doncaster

Friday 14 September 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:4017:1017:45

Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes (Fillies and Mares) (Group 3)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 1m 25.26s

(5)

Castle Hill Cassie²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: G Lee| T: B Haslam| OR: 98| D

16/1

Took her form to a whole new level when winning a Listed event at Pontefract last time out. Step back up in trip shouldn't be an issue and while there's improvement required to mix it with some of these, she's clearly on the up at present.

Form: 4-13221

(4)

Dancing Star⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 103

7/2

Highly progressive in 2016 culminating in a Stewards' Cup win at Goodwood. Hasn't managed to win since but she was only narrowly touched off at this level last time out and she's relatively unexposed at this trip.

Form: 0-30242

(8)

Laugh Aloud^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 108

11/4

Could not have been more impressive when bolting up in a Group 3 at Epsom in June 2017. Only seen once since when making her seasonal return at Sandown earlier in the month and ought to come on for that effort. Leading player if back to her best.

Form: 21/511-4

(1)

Pepita²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: R Hannon| OR: 98| D

20/1

Won in Listed class earlier in the campaign and ran well in a Group 3 at York next time out. Hasn't been at that level in two subsequent starts though and well beaten by Castle Hill Cassie at Pontefract last time.

Form: 151306

(10)

Anna Nerium¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 109| D

9/2

Gained a second career Group 3 win at Goodwood last time and she's a useful performer at this level. Probably needs soft in the going description to be seen at her best and drying ground probably not in her favour but sets the standard regardless.

Form: 9-17281

(3)

All Out²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: J Quinn| T: R Hannon| OR: 99

20/1

Won her first two career starts as a juvenile but she's yet to win since despite some fair efforts in defeat in Listed company. Needs to take her form to a new level to mix it with some of these and stamina for this trip unproven.

Form: 13-5204

(2)

Eirene¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: R Winston| T: D K Ivory| OR: 101| C| D

12/1

Got her head back in front in a three-runner event at Chelmsford last time out. Both turf wins have come on soft ground though and she's more exposed than many of her rivals in here.

Form: 6-350P1

(9)

Ellthea¹⁰³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 107| CD

9/1

Group 3 winner at Naas towards the back end of last year. Hasn't managed to make her presence felt in three subsequent starts in Group 1 and 2 company but drop back in trip should be in her favour and she won at this meeting last year.

Form: 9115-75

(7)

Hence⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105

11/2

Has won just one of her 16 career starts but she's been running well in Listed/Group 3 company on recent starts and yard have hit form again in recent weeks. Quite possible there's more to come but the drop back in trip is a potential negative.

Form: 275233

Non-Runners

(6)

Dan's Dream¹⁵

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: M R Channon J: Andrea Atzeni

Forecasts

Laugh Aloud (11/4), Dancing Star (7/2), Anna Nerium (9/2), Hence (11/2), Dan's Dream (7/1), Ellthea (9/1), Eirene (12/1), Castle Hill Cassie (16/1), All Out (20/1), Pepita (20/1)

LAUGH ALOUD looked like an exciting filly after bolting up at last year's Derby meeting at Epsom and she's entitled to come on for her recent Sandown reappearance on the back of a 15-month absence. Dancing Star returned to form last time out with a narrow defeat and the mare can't be ruled out if she can get back to the level of her Stewards' Cup win in 2016. Richard Hannon runs three in the race and Anna Nerium is quite possibly his best chance of success, particularly if any rain arrives.