14:25 York

Thursday 18 May 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' Stakes (Fillies' And Mares' Group 2)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 2m 10.06s

(4)

Aristia²⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 111| CD

11/2

Smart mare who signed off for 2022 with win in 1m2f Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville in August. Runner-up in this event last season too so she's well in the mix.

Form: 19/2921-

(6)

Free Wind³²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 115| D

6/5

Most progressive juvenile, winning 4 of her 5 starts, and she impressively landed Lancashire Oaks at Haydock (11.8f) on her sole start in 2022 despite being badly impeded. Off 10 months but this high-class filly still looks the one to beat.

Form: 11211/1-

(5)

Poptronic²³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 104| D

25/1

Big improver in first half of 2022 who completed her hat-trick in 10f Newcastle Group 3 in June. Too free though when below par in Yorkshire Oaks at York (hooded) and Princess Royal Stakes at Newmarket after. This is no easy ask.

Form: 1/11274-

(8)

Rogue Millennium¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: Tom Clover| OR: 104| D

20/1

Useful filly who was a dual winner early last season. Posted a good 1¼ lengths third of 10 to India in Prix Allez France at Longchamp (1m2f) 18 days ago so she can't be totally discounted.

Form: 7270-23

(3)

Sea Silk Road²³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: W J Haggas| OR: 106| D

11/2

Very useful Sea The Stars filly who landed Goodwood listed event last May. Solid efforts in the frame after in Ribblesdale, Prix de la Nonette at Deauville and Princess Royal Stakes at Newmarket. Sort to go on again in 2023 so she needs considering.

Form: 6/11243-

(1)

State Occasion²²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: R M Beckett| OR: 103| CD

9/1

Smart mare who impressively landed handicap over C&D last August. Below-form eighth in Pride Stakes at Newmarket (10f) final run but she is the sort to bounce back.

Form: 421148-

(2)

Stay Alert²¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Morrison| OR: 108| D

11/2

Smart filly who gained the last of her three wins in 2022 in Group 3 Legacy Cup at Newbury. Came in last of 14 in Fillies' & Mares' Stakes at Ascot (12f) in October though. Needs to hit the ground running.

Form: 121510-

Non-Runners

(7)

Toskana Belle²⁴³

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: R Varian J: David Egan

Forecasts

Free Wind (6/5), Stay Alert (11/2), Sea Silk Road (11/2), Aristia (11/2), Toskana Belle (7/1), State Occasion (9/1), Rogue Millennium (20/1), Poptronic (25/1)

FREE WIND wasn't seen out after her scintillating Lancashire Oaks victory last summer but she possesses much the best form and can make light of her absence to confirm herself a high-class filly here. Aristia was runner-up in this event 12 months ago and could again emerge as the chief threat ahead of returning duo Sea Silk Road and Toskana Belle.