14:00 Epsom Downs

Saturday 1 June 2024

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1517:50

Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored By My Pension Expert) (Fillies' & Mares' Group 3)

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 1m 46.32s

(2)

Astral Beau²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: S W Kelly| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 104

8/1

Progressive handicapper in 2022 and improved another chunk when landing a listed race at Doncaster on 2023 reappearance. Plenty of solid efforts in defeat since, including when close third in this 12 months ago. Failed to build on return when well held in Dahlia at Newmarket but type to bounce back.

Form: 3348-25

(7)

Breege²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 102

5/1

Yet to score since her debut but she recorded some very useful efforts last term, including when runner-up in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot. Went close to making a winning return in listed event at Goodwood 4 weeks ago and she's a player.

Form: 22542-3

(5)

Julia Augusta⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 92

66/1

Useful mare who was better for comeback run when fourth in listed event at Kempton 8 weeks ago on final start for Roger Varian. Has a fair bit to find with most of these, however.

Form: 9624-54

(6)

Royal Dress^h²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Ben Coen| T: J Tate| OR: 102

14/1

Useful handicapper for Richard Hannon last season and found the required improvement when a surprise winner of listed race at Goodwood on return for new yard, overcoming a pace bias to edge out Breege. In the mix.

Form: 21407-1

(4)

Running Lion²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 106| BF

13/8

Useful last season and seemed better than ever when second in Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on return, looking the likely winner for a long way (traded at 1.01 in running). Fancied to resume winning ways back down in trip/class.

Form: 10238-2

(9)

Sea Of Thieves^t1³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: C Demuro| T: Mario Baratti| OR: 87

12/1

Lightly-raced 4-y-o who took a big step forward starting out for this yard (formerly with Ed Walker) when winning listed race at Longchamp on return, edging out a subsequent Group 3 winner. Remains unexposed.

Form: 6/1265-1

(3)

Chic Colombine²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: W Buick| T: G Boughey| OR: 103

11/4

Progressed plenty following a mid-summer break last season, completing 4-timer at Goodwood. Took another step forward when wide-margin winner of listed race at Saint-Cloud on return before not seen to best effect in a messy Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp 3 weeks ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 1114-10

(8)

Glimpsed¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 93

22/1

Half-sister to connections' high-class winner up to 15.5f Scope and looked talented herself when readily scoring in a Newmarket maiden last year. Built on that at second attempt when a staying-on fifth in listed race at York on return but will surely find a few too quick for her around here.

Form: 16-5

Non-Runners

(1)

Sparks Fly³⁵

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: D Loughnane J: Laura Pearson

Forecasts

Running Lion (13/8), Chic Colombine (11/4), Sparks Fly (4/1), Breege (5/1), Astral Beau (8/1), Sea Of Thieves (12/1), Royal Dress (14/1), Glimpsed (22/1), Julia Augusta (66/1)

RUNNING LION looked better than ever when runner-up in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on her comeback last month and she should take plenty of beating back down in class. Sparks Fly had a remarkable 3-y-o campaign and is ready for a shot at this level after a respectable reappearance at Haydock, while there wasn't much between Royal Dress and Breege in a listed event at Goodwood 4 weeks ago.