14:25 Ascot

Saturday 29 July 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5017:25

Longines Valiant Stakes (Fillies' & Mares' Group 3) (Rnd)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 1m 43.71s

(8)

Ameynah⁴⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 107

11/2

Confirmed the promise of her sole 2-y-o start when a good winner of a 7f maiden on the Rowley Mile. Thrown into the deep end in 1000 Guineas next time but ran really well to finish sixth, still green before doing good late work. Not seen for 15 months but remains likely to progress further.

Form: 2/16-

(7)

Random Harvest¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Saffie Osborne| T: E Walker| OR: 108| CD

10/3

Progressive last season, culminating in Group 3 victory at Milan, and has shown even better form in defeat this term, most notably when neck second in Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. Below her best in Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket last time but big player back at this level.

Form: 41-7226

(2)

Roman Mist³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A Watson| OR: 101| D

17/2

Likeable mare who proved as good as ever when making winning return/yard debut in listed company at Goodwood (1m, heavy) in May. Flopped at Epsom but put that quickly behind her when respectable eight of 19 in Kensington Palace Stakes (Handicap) at Royal Ascot last time. Worthy of respect.

Form: 002-168

(9)

Zenga¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: K Stott| T: R Varian| OR: 86

12/1

Useful sort who again shaped well when fourth of 9 in 1m listed event at Pontefract (good to soft) 18 days ago, short of room approaching final 1f and running on late. More required at this level, though.

Form: 3120-74

(5)

Cadeau Belle⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J P Spencer| T: J P Murtagh| D

15/8

Cosy winner of 12-runner maiden at Gowran (7f, soft) on debut and followed up in impressive fashion in 1m Navan listed event (good to soft) a month later. Surely more to come after only 2 starts.

Form: 11

(4)

Mysterious Love^h²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Rossa Ryan| T: D Menuisier| OR: 90| D

40/1

Came good with emphatic Nottingham maiden win (1m, heavy) in a first-time hood in May. Not disgraced in Chantilly listed event subsequently but this is tougher and others appeal more.

Form: 425-017

(1)

Rose Prick²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Hart| T: E Walker| OR: 92

25/1

Made a winning handicap debut last August and ran well back in listed company when fifth at Chantilly 4 weeks ago but looks vulnerable at this level.

Form: 1346-45

(10)

Sea Of Thieves⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Rob Hornby| T: E Walker| OR: 86

20/1

Rangy filly who left last year's debut behind when springing a 66/1 surprise in a 7f Haydock novice on reappearance and progressed again when runner-up under a penalty at Newbury (1m, firm). Likely has more to offer but this is a big step up and she's unraced on ground no softer than good.

Form: 6-12

(3)

Thornbrook²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 102| D

7/1

Came on a lot for her reappearance as he gained a first success since her debut when landing 10-runner listed race at Chantilly (8f, good) 28 days ago, keeping on well. Strong contender on that form but wouldn't want too much rain (below form both times on heavy).

Form: 138-01

Non-Runners

(6)

Vetiver³¹

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: A M Balding J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Cadeau Belle (15/8), Random Harvest (10/3), Ameynah (11/2), Thornbrook (7/1), Vetiver (7/1), Roman Mist (17/2), Zenga (12/1), Sea Of Thieves (20/1), Rose Prick (25/1), Mysterious Love (40/1)

The one who makes most appeal is CADEAU BELLE, who followed up her debut success in the manner of a most progressive filly in a listed event at Navan last month. She can extend her unbeaten record to 3, perhaps at the expense of Random Harvest, who ought to find life easier back down in grade. Ameynah hasn't been seen for well over a year, but her yard's runners rarely lack for fitness and she is clearly well regarded given her Group 1 entries.