16:40 Newmarket

Friday 8 October 2021

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

Newmarket Pony Academy Pride Stakes (Fillies' And Mares' Group 3)

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 2m 4.49s

(3)

Fooraat¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 103

12/1

Useful filly who ran respectably when 2 lengths third of 12 to Soft Whisper in 1m listed race at this course (good to firm) 14 days ago, staying on. Step back up in trip looks the right move.

Form: 45-2633

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(2)

Freyja²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 99| CD

25/1

Useful filly with a good strike rate but was put firmly in her place by the progressive Ville De Grace in a listed race at Yarmouth (10.1f, good) last time. Looks vulnerable.

Form: 655342

(8)

Lights On⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Dobbs| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 108

11/1

Back on the up when demolishing a listed field by 10 lengths at Pontefract in July. Below that form when second in Ascot Group 3 subsequently, but this step up in trip may unlock more improvement.

Form: 3-11812

(14)

Solene Lilyette²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Andrew Slattery| T: A Slattery| OR: 100| D

40/1

Has done well since joining current yard, upping her game further to land Gowran listed event (9.4f) in August. Rare poor effort in Group 3 at same track last time. Should bounce back.

Form: 112159

(13)

Ad Infinitum^h²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D M Simcock| OR: 95| D

66/1

Won a soft-ground Goodwood listed on just her second start in May. Never involved in Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, but wasn't disgraced despite finishing last of 5 in Legacy Cup at Newbury last time.

Form: 4-105

(1)

April Showers¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 102

40/1

Useful filly who was soon back to form when ½-length second of 15 in 8.2f listed race at Cork last time, keeping on. Back up in trip/grade and improvement required.

Form: 7-03202

(5)

Auria⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 98| BF

33/1

Low-mileage filly who a posted career best when winning 1m listed race at Sandown in July, but ran to only a similar level when seventh to Saffron Beach in Group 3 there next time. Back up in trip.

Form: 31-2417

(4)

Climate²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 96

40/1

Opened her account in a 1m maiden at Navan in September and then improved on that form when fourth in a Group 3 at the Curragh (9.4f) 20 days ago. Will need to take another step forward, though.

Form: 047214

(9)

La Joconde²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109| D

12/1

Roscommon maiden winner who has found big improvement all of a sudden, finishing third in Yorkshire Oaks and Prix Vermeille at Longchamp (11.9f) last 2 starts. Sets the standard down in grade.

Form: 401633

(11)

Lilac Road⁵⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 105| D

16/1

Bounced back to her useful best to get off the mark at listed level in tenacious fashion at Salisbury (9.9f) 58 days ago. May still have a bit more to offer at this sort of trip.

Form: 0-13291

(6)

Ocean Road¹²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Cieren Fallon| T: H Palmer| OR: 95

17/2

1m AW novice winner last December. Made an encouraging return when in Lingfield Oaks Trial and shaped better than the bare result suggests in the Epsom Oaks last time. Remains with some potential.

Form: 21-36

(7)

Sayyida¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 102| BF| C

15/2

Dubawi filly who won 1½m novice/handicap here earlier in the season. Ran up to best when second in 1½m Group 3 at this venue 2 weeks ago, but isn't sure to be suited by this 2f shorter trip.

Form: 2-11242

(15)

Soft Whisper¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: L Dettori| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 108| C

10/3

Well-made filly who improved after 6 months off to bag 1m listed race here (good to firm) 14 days ago, by 1¾ lengths from Maamora, having run of race. Bred to stay at least 1¼m. Player.

Form: 1-11501

(12)

Sweet Believer²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: A J Farragher⁽⁵⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 99| BF

12/1

Improved further to resume winning ways with any amount in hand in 9f handicap at Hamilton in August. Looked well at home in listed company when third of 12 to Ville De Grace at Yarmouth since.

Form: 211213

(10)

Ville De Grace²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 105| D

4/1

Is clearly all the better for her midsummer break as she improved again to land a 12-runner listed contest at Yarmouth (10.1f) 23 days ago, by 3 lengths from Freyja. Likely to progress further.

Form: 12-5731

Forecasts

Soft Whisper (10/3), Ville De Grace (4/1), Sayyida (15/2), Ocean Road (17/2), Lights On (11/1), Sweet Believer (12/1), La Joconde (12/1), Fooraat (12/1), Lilac Road (16/1), Freyja (25/1), Auria (33/1), Climate (40/1), Solene Lilyette (40/1), April Showers (40/1), Ad Infinitum (66/1)

VILLE DE GRACE looks the most interesting in this field. She was well suited by the step up to this trip when winning a Yarmouth listed event in good style from a few of these last month and, given she's just 6 runs into her career, it's hard to say where her progression might end. La Joconde sets the standard on her recent efforts in Group 1s, with Lights On and Soft Whisper others to consider.