15:20 Pontefract

Tuesday 11 July 2023

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Weatherbys Digital Solutions Pipalong Stakes (Fillies' & Mares' Listed)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 1m 43.96s

(9)

Al Agaila¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 92| D

8/1

Solid start to career on turf last summer and took form up a notch on polytrack during the winter, completing hat-trick in Winter Oaks Handicap at Lingfield (1¼m) in January. Solid effort when a close fifth at Newcastle (1m) recently but will need to improve if she's to resume winning ways here.

Form: 311-175

(2)

Dha Leath^t⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 92| D

9/1

Enjoyed a productive 2022, bagging 4 handicaps at up to 1¼m. Wasn't beaten far when ninth of 27 in the Irish Lincolnshire at the Curragh on return in March but subsequent effort was a shade disappointing, for all that the 1½m trip probably stretched her.

Form: 0451-97

(6)

Espressoo³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 88

11/1

Back to form when making a winning reappearance at Ayr (7.2f, good to firm) in May. However, she was put in her place in this grade next time and a similar outcome is anticipated here.

Form: 6649-15

(8)

Fall In Love¹⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian

11/2

Useful filly for previous yard in France, notably finishing fifth of 17 in the French Oaks last season. Majority of her subsequent efforts have been in Group company and she's an interesting contender at this level on debut for new yard (also represented here by Zenga).

Form: 55605-9

(4)

Kingmania^h⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J Ferguson| OR: 81| BF| D

10/1

Progressive earlier in her career for Chris Wall and, having drawn a blank in 2022, she made the perfect start for new yard in a first-time hood at Southwell (1m) in April. Disappointing in a Nottingham handicap next time, though, and probably biting off more than she can chew at this level.

Form: 5705-14

(3)

Love Interest²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 87

25/1

Newcastle novice winner on sole 2-y-o start and twice acquitted herself well in listed company last season, including when fourth of 12 at Ascot (7f, good to soft) in October. However, she hasn't come close to matching that level of form in 3 subsequent starts.

Form: 0940-80

(5)

Mary Salome¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: T Eaves| T: A Kinirons| OR: 78| D

50/1

Irish raider who resumed winning ways in a 9-runner handicap at Roscommon (7.2f, good) early last month. By no means disgraced when a close third at Limerick next time but she looks up against it raised in class here.

Form: 50-6413

(7)

Purplepay⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 109| D

7/4

Better than ever on second start for William Haggas when landing Group 2 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly last June. Little impact in a couple of Group 1s in Australia this year but this drop in class will be welcomed and she's the one to beat.

Form: 1556-00

(1)

Zenga²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 86

9/2

Made it third time lucky in a 9.5f Wolverhampton (9.5f) last July prior to a creditable second on handicap debut at Lingfield (1¼m, AW). Encouraging belated reappearance on the back of a wind op at Royal Ascot (1m, good) and she's not without each-way hope up in class here.

Form: 43120-7

Forecasts

Purplepay (7/4), Zenga (9/2), Fall In Love (11/2), Al Agaila (8/1), Dha Leath (9/1), Kingmania (10/1), Espressoo (11/1), Love Interest (25/1), Mary Salome (50/1)

If anywhere near her best back from a 3-month break, PURPLEPAY should simply outclass these rivals. She was nearer last than first in a couple of top-tier races in Australia in March/April but her sights are lowered significantly here and she showed what she can do when landing a Group 2 in France last summer. The Roger Varian-trained duo Zenga and Fall In Love can fill the places, with the former marginally preferred for forecast purposes.