16:55 Salisbury

Thursday 15 August 2019

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5517:30

British EBF Premier Fillies' Handicap

Off time: 16:57 | Winning time: 2m 39.53s

(7)

Thimbleweed¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 87| C

16/1

Won her maiden here (1m2f) last season and followed up under a penalty at Nottingham to show herself a useful filly. Second off today's handicap mark next at Doncaster (1m4f) but flopped to close the season and well below par in lone 2019 start too.

Form: 31125-8

(6)

Sea of Faith²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95| BF| D

3/1

Made the most of a simple opportunity to get off the mark at Doncaster (1m4f) before coming off third best in a terrific four-way tussle at Newbury latest (1m5½f). Still lightly raced and likely more streetwise after latest race so highly respected.

Form: 4513

(3)

Mannaal¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Megan Nicholls⁽³⁾| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 94

9/1

Took career record to four from seven when successful at Goodwood over 1m2f latest. Won earlier over 1m3½f so this trip no issue and even upped a further 5lb against less exposed sorts she has to be seriously considered.

Form: 4-12611

(2)

Litigious¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 91| D

1/1

6L Goodwood winner on debut over 1m2f won with plenty in hand next under a penalty over 1m4½f at Chester on soft ground. Looks very leniently treated for an unbeaten filly from the champion trainer's yard so very appealing here.

Form: 11

(5)

Tribal Craft¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 89| C| D

9/2

Produced an eye-catching debut prior to winning here next time out and then bolted up in a three-runner affair at Pontefract when beating a nice sort by 20L. Midfield in a red-hot Goodwood contest latest but not underestimated here.

Form: 6117

(1)

Happy Hiker²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: M L W Bell| OR: 86| D

25/1

Newmarket winner in May was outclassed in a Listed race at the same course last time out but handicaps will offer greater opportunities although found a warm one to start out here.

Form: 4317

(4)

Katiesheidinlisa^p1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 85| D

33/1

Improved from two starts as a juvenile to win on return at Newbury (1m2f, soft) and followed that up at Doncaster (1m4f, good). Not beaten far at Doncaster when second latest but make no mistake this is considerably tougher.

Form: 4-11052

Forecasts

Litigious (1/1), Sea of Faith (3/1), Tribal Craft (9/2), Mannaal (9/1), Thimbleweed (16/1), Happy Hiker (25/1), Katiesheidinlisa (33/1)

A small but very select field go to post and several of these appeal as sorts likely to be rated close to three figures by season end. Any time a trainer has an unbeaten runner they are keen to protect that status and John Gosden looks to have found a good opportunity for LITIGIOUS to remain so as he could easily have pitched her into Pattern company but perhaps running here is indicative of him thinking this opening mark lenient. Mannaal may prove the greatest threat as a filly who has been rapidly progressing this season although Sea Of Faith probably still has her best days ahead.