15:00 Doncaster

Thursday 14 September 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Betfred May Hill Stakes (Fillies' Group 2) (Str)

Off time: 15:04 | Winning time: 1m 41.38s

(3)

Darnation¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 102

11/10

Faced with softer ground, left debut form behind when a wide-margin winner of a Thirsk novice (7f) in July. Progressed again under more testing conditions when landing Prestige Stakes at Goodwood and there could be more to come over this extra furlong. Leading contender.

Form: 311

(5)

Francophone²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 85| BF

33/1

Made a winning debut in minor event at Ayr (7.2f) in August, despite showing signs of greenness, and unlucky not to follow up in similar event at Goodwood (1m) 18 days later, carried left in the final 1f. This is a tougher task but she's open to further progress.

Form: 12

(4)

Hala Abrar³¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: Miss Gay Kelleway

66/1

Overcame inexperience when winning 11-runner maiden at Kempton (7f) on debut last month, staying on to lead last ½f and well on top at the finish. Open to improvement but plenty more required in this company.

Form: 1

(2)

Hard To Resist¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 97

11/2

Proved a different proposition to on debut when opening account in minor event at Newmarket (7f) in August, showing a good attitude. Much improved again when 2 lengths third of 6 to Darnation in Prestige Stakes at Goodwood 19 days ago and could do better still upped in trip.

Form: 613

(8)

Les Bleus²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: R Hughes| OR: 96

14/1

Left her 5f Sandown debut in May well behind when seeing off 13 rivals in a 6f novice at Newmarket in July. Better form since, fourth in the Prix du Calvados at Deauville last time, but others look to have more potential.

Form: 6134

(1)

Romanova^h²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: Ollie Sangster

9/2

Highly tried in listed race on debut and took a big step forward from that first experience when making all in maiden at Salisbury (7f) last month, drawing clear in the final 1f. Will go on improving so she can make her presence felt in this higher grade.

Form: 71

(7)

See The Fire³³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding

4/1

Bred to be useful and knew what was required when making a winning start in 12-runner maiden at Newmarket (7f) last month, scoring with authority. Will be suited by this longer distance and she's an interesting contender quickly upped in class.

Form: 1

Non-Runners

(6)

Meribella²⁰

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: R M Beckett J: Rob Hornby

(9)

Zenjabeela¹²

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: R Varian J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Darnation (11/10), See The Fire (4/1), Romanova (9/2), Meribella (5/1), Hard To Resist (11/2), Zenjabeela (10/1), Les Bleus (14/1), Francophone (33/1), Hala Abrar (66/1)

DARNATION is improving well, having no problem with testing conditions when landing the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood last time, and she can continue her progress with the step up in trip to suit. Karl Burke's filly is taken to see off the challenge of Romanova, who won in good style at the second attempt, with See The Fire completing the shortlist.