14:25 Sandown

Saturday 2 September 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3816:1016:4517:20

Virgin Bet Atalanta Stakes (Fillies' And Mares' Group 3)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 1m 44.38s

(10)

Heredia²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 105| D

5/2

Won her first 4 starts, notably the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot in 2022. Has returned in good order and better than ever when resuming winning ways at Haydock 3 weeks ago by 3¾ lengths from Purplepay. Form pick.

Form: 88-2241

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(8)

Potapova⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 105| CD

13/2

Showed smart form when winning this last year. Not at that level this season, though wasn't disgraced when fifth in Group 2 at Royal Ascot last time. Needs to bounce back to her best if she's to repeat last year's win.

Form: 714-P55

(4)

Purplepay²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 102| D

11/1

Won the Group 2 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly last summer but not so good since, albeit running her best race for a while when 3¾ lengths second of 13 to Heredia in listed race at Haydock (8.2f, good, 11/2) 21 days ago. Place claims but work to do to reverse placings with the winner.

Form: 56-0032

(2)

Roman Mist³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A Watson| OR: 101| D

16/1

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 next 2 starts, going close in Group 3 at Ascot. Worthy of respect.

Form: 02-1682

(6)

Coppice⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 105| D

5/1

Improving in leaps and bounds and proved her opening mark was a lenient one when winning 29-runner Sandringham (6/1) at Royal Ascot (8f, good to firm). Far from disgraced in Falmouth at Newmarket since and needs considering back down in class.

Form: 1-0115

(9)

Midnight Mile²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 104

11/2

Caused something of a surprise when taking Oh So Sharp Stakes (7f) in October before decent fourth in Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Resumed progress when winning fillies' listed event in good style at York and similar form when third in Haydock Group 3. Player back against own sex.

Form: 14-4013

(3)

Mysterious Love^h³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rossa Ryan| T: D Menuisier| OR: 94| D

80/1

Came good with emphatic Nottingham maiden win (1m, heavy) in a first-time hood in May. Highly tried after and this looks another tough ask.

Form: 25-0175

(1)

Nibras Angel²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: I Mohammed & J Santos| OR: 91

18/1

Made it 2 from 2 in straightforward fashion when defying penalty at Thirsk 3 weeks ago. Taking a big step up in class but she looks a useful prospect.

Form: 11

(5)

Novus³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: T P Queally| T: G & J Moore| OR: 92| D

25/1

Progressive filly who resumed winning ways after just 2 days off in big-field handicap at Glorious Goodwood. Plenty to find at this level, however.

Form: 716221

(7)

Queen For You^p1³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 100| BF| D

6/1

Won on her debut in striking fashion at Ascot in May and improved significantly on that form when close second in listed race at York (7.9f). Not disgraced in Coronation Stakes next time before excuses back at York 5 weeks ago. Headgear on and remains unexposed.

Form: 1255

Forecasts

Heredia (5/2), Coppice (5/1), Midnight Mile (11/2), Queen For You (6/1), Potapova (13/2), Purplepay (11/1), Roman Mist (16/1), Nibras Angel (18/1), Novus (25/1), Mysterious Love (80/1)

HEREDIA took her form to another level when readily beating Purplepay in a listed race at Haydock and Richard Hannon's filly looks the one to beat on that form. Coppice was far from disgraced when tried at the highest level in the Falmouth at Newmarket and rates a big threat back down in class, with her stablemate Queen For You another to consider.