15:20 Bath

Wednesday 16 October 2019

All13:4014:1014:4515:2015:5016:2516:55

British Stallion Studs EBF Beckford Stakes (Listed) (Fillies And Mares)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 3m 9.59s

(8)

Diamond Hill²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: S Foley| T: W P Mullins| OR: 99

6/4

Yard always need respecting with their Flat runners and this one has won all her Flat starts (3-3) scoring in Listed company when last seen on the level. Has to give weight away all round but looks to have more to offer at this level.

Form: 1-11

(10)

Bongiorno^p²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: W J Lee| T: W McCreery| OR: 93

16/1

Useful filly who was making a comeback from a fair absence when fourth behind Diamond Hill last time; entitled to come on for that run. Only one won race in her career but well up to this level; should run her race but has a little to find overall.

Form: 83-8304

(2)

Claire Underwood²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Sean Davis| T: R A Fahey| OR: 87

50/1

Decent handicapper who makes her first step into this company having failed to stay last time over 2m plus at Ayr. Back down in distance but faces a tough test at the weights; place would be the best she could realistically hope for.

Form: 523627

(3)

Dance Legend⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Dane O'Neill| T: Rae Guest| OR: 92

10/1

Took a Lingfield staying handicap (1m5f, soft) back in May; highly tried since then in Group/Listed company running consistently without looking like winning. Same level of performance expected now, hard to see her troubling the principals.

Form: 152856

(9)

Hulcote¹¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: H Crouch| T: C G Cox| OR: 87

16/1

Well backed winner of a Haydock handicap (1m2f, heavy) in June before not being able to live up to that form when tried in Listed company at Pontefract when last seen. Will enjoy the ground but faces a difficult task at the weights.

Form: 31-3715

(1)

Lorelina²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 91

14/1

In better form last year when she completed a hat-trick at up to 1m4f and with ease in the ground on occasions. Not been in the same form this year and again ran below form last time at Goodwood over today's trip; one of the lesser lights in this.

Form: 458473

(5)

Grace And Danger³²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 102

9/2

Stepped straight into Listed grade after winning over 1m on her debut running with credit on the last two occasions (form not that solid). Looks hard to place (can race freely); sure to make her presence felt though; stable first choice.

Form: 1-4823

(6)

Noble Music²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 77

25/1

Lightly-raced sort who remains a maiden although her yard are good with this sort and progress can't be ruled out despite being highly tried here. Couldn't match the winners burst of speed last time on the AW; conditions will suit better here.

Form: 3232

(7)

Sapa Inca¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Hayley Turner| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 94

7/2

Tough handicapper who deserves another chance at this level having run well in testing conditions in this company at Ascot last time. That was her best race so far and a repeat of that would see her go close here with conditions to suit.

Form: 132142

(4)

Vindolanda¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 75

33/1

Comes into this on a hat-trick having won her last two starts in handicaps but will find this a lot tougher although conditions won't be a drawback. Has a smart pedigree so there may be some scope for further progress but only a punchers chance here.

Form: 335411

Forecasts

Diamond Hill (6/4), Sapa Inca (7/2), Grace And Danger (9/2), Dance Legend (10/1), Lorelina (14/1), Hulcote (16/1), Bongiorno (16/1), Noble Music (25/1), Vindolanda (33/1), Claire Underwood (50/1)

Trainer Willie Mullins took this race last year with True Self and he looks to have another major chance of landing this prize with the versatile DIAMOND HILL who is so far unbeaten in this sphere (3-3) and bids for her second win at this level. Grace And Danger looks one of the main dangers, she’s actually the highest rated of these, but could be difficult to place and the tough and genuine Sapa Inca is preferred for the runner-up slot. Fellow Irish challenger Bongiorno was well beaten by the suggestion last time but with that run behind her could get closer and run into the placings once more.