14:30 Ascot

Saturday 17 October 2020

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:15

Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 2m 37.84s

(11)

Antonia De Vega²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 109| D

5/1

Low mileage 4-y-o who wasn't seen to best effect when sixth in this last season. Winner of both her starts this term, notably Group 3 at Newmarket, looking better than ever. Well worth another shot.

Form: 8/164-11

(4)

Dame Malliot³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: E F Vaughan| OR: 114| D

5/1

Dual Group 2 winner who went close in a Group 1 in Germany before a good third in a strong renewal of the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp 5 weeks ago. Big player on that form and remains low mileage.

Form: 116-133

(12)

Manuela De Vega¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 110| D

20/1

Smart filly who made all in Group 3 at Haydock on return and had little trouble landing the odds in Lancashire Oaks there next time. However, struggled in Group 1s next 2 starts so looks vulnerable.

Form: 22-1140

(8)

Mehdaayih¹²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 113| D

8/1

Did well last term, winning 3 times, including a Group 2 in France. Not disgraced in the Champion Stakes here last season and in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot sole start this year.

Form: 71205-6

(7)

Cabaletta⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 106| D

66/1

Listed winner at Newbury but put in her place in pattern events this season.

Form: 1-24122

(3)

Even So³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 111| D

6/1

Improved as stamina has been drawn out, showing a good attitude to win a 1¼m listed race at Naas before decisively landing the Irish Oaks. Emphasis on speed was against her in Prix Vermeille since.

Form: 1-35116

(2)

Frankly Darling⁵⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 108| CD

16/1

Quickly developed into a smart sort, impressing with the way in which she quickened away to land Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot. Struggled in Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks both starts since, however.

Form: 2-1135

(10)

Gold Wand³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 106| D

28/1

Produced best effort when winning listed race on first attempt at 1½m at York. Struggled back up in class at the Curragh (10f) since, however. Return to this trip will suit but improvement needed.

Form: 2-17215

(5)

Laburnum³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: James Doyle| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113

14/1

Only fourth behind Even So in Irish Oaks and Wonderful Tonight in Prix Minerve but improved to reverse form with those fillies when fourth in the Prix Vermeille. May want better ground. though.

Form: 124144

(6)

Passion¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107

14/1

Has been kept busy this year and has shown smart form, including when getting off the mark for the campaign in a 1¾m Group 3 at Naas in August. Struggled to make an inpact in Group 1s since, however.

Form: 533155

(1)

Thundering Nights³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 105

12/1

Resumed progress when winning 9f Group 3 at the Curragh (heavy) and did best of those from off the pace when third in 10f Group 2 there next time. Should stay this far but needs to improve for it.

Form: 41-2113

(9)

Wonderful Tonight¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: D Menuisier| OR: 114| D

4/1

Progressive 3-y-o who made the Group 1 breakthrough in the Prix de Royallieu (1¾m) on Arc weekend. Testing conditions no problem and likely to make another bold bid if this doesn't come too soon.

Form: 1-42151

Forecasts

Wonderful Tonight (4/1), Dame Malliot (5/1), Antonia De Vega (5/1), Even So (6/1), Mehdaayih (8/1), Thundering Nights (12/1), Passion (14/1), Laburnum (14/1), Frankly Darling (16/1), Manuela De Vega (20/1), Gold Wand (28/1), Cabaletta (66/1)

Three of these fillies met in a good renewal of the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp, with DAME MALLIOT faring best in third. She can hold sway again and land a first success at the highest level. Wonderful Tonight is another with strong claims on the back of her Prix de Royallieu success 2 weeks ago, while Antonia de Vega looked better than ever at Newmarket and is well worth another shot at this.