14:30 Haydock

Saturday 10 August 2019

All13:2513:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:45

British Stallion Studs EBF Dick Hern Stakes (Fillies & Mares' Listed)

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 1m 46.36s

(9)

Contrive³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: C O'Donoghue| T: R Varian| OR: 93| D

33/1

Multiple winner at around 1m, though all on AW. 0-10 on turf, and held both in Group 3 and Listed company in her last two starts. Others preferred.

Form: 11-0266

(4)

Miss O Connor⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: W J Haggas| OR: 92| D

11/10

Won going away on debut at Gowran Park in May, and was quickly snapped up by current connections. Trounced her field on soft at Nottingham on her recent stable debut. Could be anything at the moment, and looks well up to this level. Claims.

Form: 11

(5)

New Day Dawn³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 92| C

25/1

7f novice event course winner (good to firm) last over a year ago. Has run with credit in this grade at Musselburgh and Pontefract on her last two starts, but more needed.

Form: 260-454

(7)

Red Starlight²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hannon| OR: 98| BF| D

8/1

Dual handicap winner with some very solid form to her name. Third in this grade at Musselburgh in June, and ran well to be beaten less than 4L in the Royal Hunt Cup. Below par latest, but each-way player if bouncing back.

Form: 263385

(1)

Feliciana De Vega²³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett

2/1

Unbeaten so far and has impressed in winning at both Newmarket (7f, soft; easily) last November, and then a month later in a Deauville AW Listed event (7½f). Holds a Group 3 entry later this month and looks a major player.

Form: 11-

(2)

Maid For Life^h¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: C Fellowes| OR: 85| D

14/1

Improving filly who arrives on the back of a class 3 Goodwood handicap win last week. Will need a significant step up on that to be competitive in this field.

Form: 2-04131

(6)

Muchly³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: P J McDonald| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 100| D

7/1

Dual 1m winner, the latter in an Ascot conditions contest in May. Acts on good to firm/good to soft. Tried to make all in a Sandown Listed event last time, and was collared for second close home. One of the more likely contenders again.

Form: 31-8143

Non-Runners

(8)

Agincourt³²

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: D O'Meara J: S A Gray

(3)

Ardiente²²

Weight: 8-9| Age: 3

T: E F Vaughan J: S Donohoe

Forecasts

Miss O Connor (11/10), Feliciana De Vega (2/1), Muchly (7/1), Red Starlight (8/1), Agincourt (10/1), Ardiente (12/1), Maid For Life (14/1), New Day Dawn (25/1), Contrive (33/1)

On paper at least, this looks to be between Feliciana De Vega and MISS O CONNOR, and the latter just gets the vote. William Haggas's filly sluiced up at Nottingham last time, and with race fitness on her side, she might just have too much for Ralph Beckett's filly on the day. The latter has been similiarly impressive so far, and can clearly act when fresh, so she will take some beating. Muchly is probably next best, while battle-hardened Red Starlight is another of interest.