15:30 Ascot

Saturday 7 May 2022

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

British EBF Fillies' Handicap (Str)

Off time: 15:33 | Winning time: 1m 40.03s

(7)

Soft Whisper⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 102| D

6/1

Smart listed winner at her best but arrives with a touch to prove after failing to get seriously competitive in 3 starts in Dubai this year.

Form: 019-050

(2)

Auria²¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: William Carver⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 97| D

9/1

Low-mileage filly who bagged a 1m Sandown listed event last summer. Possibly not suited by Newmarket when well held in 1¼m Group 3 final start. Capable of bouncing back with sights lowered on return.

Form: 1/24170-

(3)

Stunning Beauty⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Hayley Turner| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 94| D

7/1

Failed to get competitive at Meydan at the start of this year but she can be very competitive off this mark based on her best runs in Britain last season. Cheekpieces worn lately are left off. One of 2 runners from stable.

Form: P33-709

(5)

Don't Tell Claire¹⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 91| CD

7/1

Won over C&D off 8 lb lower last September. Signed off 2021 with a couple of respectable efforts at listed level. Career-best will be needed if she's to overcome this mark on return.

Form: 812156-

(4)

Rising Star²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: N Callan| T: M Botti| OR: 91| D

6/1

Turf winner last summer and beat Serending when back to winning ways at Newcastle (1m) in March. Respectable third in valuable conditions event there on Good Friday, particularly as she raced freely. One to consider.

Form: 385-513

(8)

Serenading⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: James Doyle| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 88| BF| D

15/2

Pair of AW wins last year and has remained in good form, finishing 2¼ lengths second of 3 to Rising Star at Newcastle latest. Has form on turf but all 4 wins have come on AW.

Form: 412-552

(1)

Strawberri¹⁹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 83| BF| D

4/1

Dual 1m winner last summer. Good second in 1¼m Newbury handicap on final start last year. Only had 6 career starts so further progress a distinct possibility. Player if ready to roll after 6 months off.

Form: 531132-

(9)

Spirit Of The Bay¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: C G Cox| OR: 83| BF| D

9/1

Massive improver during the second half of 2021, completing 4-timer at Sandown in September. Couple of creditable in-frame efforts this spring but it underlines she needs a bit more from this mark.

Form: 1111-42

(6)

Delta Bay³⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: George Rooke⁽³⁾| T: H Morrison| OR: 83| D

14/1

1m Newmarket madien winner for the Gosdens' last spring but not seen since finishing last of 6 in a course conditions event a fortnight ago. Retains potential as an unexposed sort but betting perhaps best guide to expectations for new stable after absence.

Form: 2/16-

Forecasts

Strawberri (4/1), Soft Whisper (6/1), Rising Star (6/1), Stunning Beauty (7/1), Don't Tell Claire (7/1), Serenading (15/2), Spirit Of The Bay (9/1), Auria (9/1), Delta Bay (14/1)

Quite a tight handicap in which it might be worth siding with the returning STRAWBERRI, whose lightly-raced profile provides her with the scope for better again at 4. Auria was a listed winner last season so makes some appeal back in a handicap from a mark in the high-90s. Rising Star saw off Serenading when the pair clashed at Newcastle in March and is also on the shortlist.