14:25 Ascot

Saturday 21 October 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0515:4516:25

Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 2m 28.29s

(3)

Above The Curve^p1⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 114

12/1

Group 1 winner at 3 and added another pattern success to her CV when seeing off subsequent Prix Rothschild winner Mqse de Sevigne in Saint-Cloud Group 2 in May. Sound-enough efforts in defeat since, just keeping on at the one pace on first crack at 11.9f at Longchamp. Cheekpieces reached for.

Form: 713236

(7)

Free Wind²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 114| BF| D

11/2

Very smart mare who won at York on her return and she returned to the very pick of her form when a head-second in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks in August. Never really a factor pitched into the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last time but demands respect back against her own sex.

Form: 1-15420

(4)

One For Bobby^t⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: H Morrison| OR: 109

33/1

Improved performer for Hughie Morrison this term, successful in listed company at Nottingham in May and gained Group 3 breakthrough in Vichy 2 months later. Sound 5½ lengths sixth of 8 to Mqse De Sevigne in Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville latest and now back up in trip with tongue tie back on.

Form: 83-1316

(10)

Poptronic²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 108| D

22/1

Big improver in first half of 2022, completing her hat-trick in 10f Newcastle Group 3 last summer. Took form to another level when edging out Sea Silk Road in Lancashire Oaks at Haydock before her limitations were exposed at the top table.

Form: 4-33189

(14)

Stay Alert^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: David Egan| T: H Morrison| OR: 112| D

40/1

Developed into a smart performer at 3, the highlight being a Group 3 success at Newbury. Hold-up tactics haven't been as effective in very good company this term, only really giving her true running once when runner-up in a first-time tongue tie in the Pretty Polly.

Form: 10-5269

(13)

Term Of Endearment^h⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 104| D

20/1

Lightly-raced 4-y-o but very effective in the mud and she arrives on the back of a career-best effort when landing Group 3 Give Thanks Stakes at Cork 2 months ago. Another jolt of progress required but she's likely to give it a good go.

Form: 432-521

(1)

Time Lock²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 112| D

5/1

Landed the odds in listed company at Craon in September and displayed a striking turn of foot when supplementing that in Group 3 Princess Royal Stakes at Newmarket. Soft ground could blunt that asset but she remains of interest on the back of that big career best.

Form: 244311

(11)

Bluestocking^p1³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 111| BF

6/1

Shaped well when placed behind Warm Heart in Newbury listed race/Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot before collared only close home by Savethelastdance in the Irish Oaks. Good fourth in Yorkshire Oaks since but a shade disappointing she didn't land the odds back in grade at Chester latest. Cheekpieces on.

Form: 1-23242

(9)

Jackie Oh²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114| BF

3/1

Disappointing when backed to land big-field handicap at Royal Ascot but hasn't looked back since, landing Group 3 Rathbride Stakes at Gowran before a pair of excellent runner-up efforts, latterly coming up just a neck shy in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp. Up in trip, which she should get.

Form: 250122

(2)

Red Riding Hood^t⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104

66/1

Improved for positive tactics and or a tongue tie in recent starts, doubling career tally in Group 3 company in August. Ran well on the figures when fifth in Group 2 level latest but this is asking a lot.

Form: 909915

(6)

Rue Boissonade²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: G Mosse| T: M Delzangles| OR: 108| D

8/1

Won maiden at Saint-Cloud in April and Prix de Malleret at Longchamp in July. Better form when fourth on latter course last 2 starts, in Prix Vermeille (2 lengths behind Warm Heart) and Prix de Royallieu (beaten 4¾ lengths by Sea Silk Road, staying on well from rear). Good test will suit.

Form: 7-13144

(5)

Running Lion²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 106| BF

16/1

Impressive when easily completing a 4-timer in the 1¼m Pretty Polly (soft) in May. Back on track after her flop in the French Oaks when placed twice since albeit she looked stretched by 12f behind Time Look at Newmarket.

Form: 1-11023

(8)

Sea Of Roses³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 100

100/1

Useful filly who returned to action with a good second in Group 3 at Saint Cloud. No threat in the Musidora/Oaks next 2 starts and has done nothing really since to think she's up to this class.

Form: 258525

(12)

Sweet Memories^p1²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Hollie Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 105| BF| D

14/1

Came a long way in short space of time in the summer, winning 1¼m Newbury novice in July and producing a near-smart performance on only her third start when following up in 1½m listed event on July course. Second in Group 3 company since and may still have a bigger effort in her with headgear on.

Form: 4-112

Forecasts

Jackie Oh (3/1), Time Lock (5/1), Free Wind (11/2), Bluestocking (6/1), Rue Boissonade (8/1), Above The Curve (12/1), Sweet Memories (14/1), Running Lion (16/1), Term Of Endearment (20/1), Poptronic (22/1), One For Bobby (33/1), Stay Alert (40/1), Red Riding Hood (66/1), Sea Of Roses (100/1)

The Classic generation has a tremendous record in this race and JACKIE OH may enhance it further. She's untried over middle-distances on deep ground but she certainly promises to cope with it and her neck-second in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp suggests she's better than ever. Free Wind and Above The Curve are established at the top table against their own sex and head the opposition.