14:25 Ascot

Saturday 27 July 2024

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

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

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 1m 40.21s

(6)

Doom³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 102

15/2

Consistent filly who signed off for 2023 with success in French listed event (7f). Posted a solid third of 14 to Running Lion in Duke of Cambridge Stakes over C&D 38 days ago so must enter calculations.

Form: 2141-33

(3)

Julia Augusta²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: D O'Meara| OR: 99| D

50/1

Useful mare but she came in last of 8 to Vetiver in listed race at Chelmsford City (7f) 20 days ago. Lots more is needed if she's to gain a first success since 2022.

Form: 4-54468

(4)

Naomi Lapaglia²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Spencer| OR: 94| D

16/1

Useful filly who resumed from eight months off with a good fourth of 14 to Excellent Truth in listed race at Deauville (8f, good) 20 days ago. This demands more, however.

Form: 13753-4

(7)

Sirona¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D Menuisier| OR: 107

6/1

Useful 7f scorer for Charlie Johnston in 2023 and has returned in excellent nick for her current yard, fifth of 7 to Porta Fortuna in Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket (8f, good) 15 days ago. Can go well again.

Form: 518-325

(1)

Thornbrook^p¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 101| D

22/1

Irish challenger who got back on track when 2½ lengths fourth of 8 to Jancis in Brownstown Stakes at Leopardstown (7.2f, good) 16 days ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 0136-74

(8)

Devoted Queen^h⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 102| D

11/4

Unbeaten Kingman filly who was fitted with a hood when going 3-3 in 1m listed race at York in May. That form has been franked so she merits serious consideration.

Form: 1-11

(2)

Friendly Soul⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107| BF| D

10/3

Daughter of Kingman looked potentially very smart when winning listed Pretty Polly at Newmarket (1¼m) on just her second start. Failed to beat a rival when odds-on for the Musidora Stakes at York (10.2f) later in Mays though, hanging badly right. She's well worth another chance.

Form: 1-17

(5)

Soprano²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 107| CD

7/2

Much improved when landing the Sandringham Handicap over C&D in June. Unlucky not to follow up when third of 8 to Spiritual in listed race at Sandown (8f, soft) 21 days ago, conceding first run. Well in the mix.

Form: 37-5313

Forecasts

Devoted Queen (11/4), Friendly Soul (10/3), Soprano (7/2), Sirona (6/1), Doom (15/2), Naomi Lapaglia (16/1), Thornbrook (22/1), Julia Augusta (50/1)

The Gosdens' FRIENDLY SOUL is fancied to put her Musidora flop firmly behind her and belatedly confirm herself a very smart filly. Charlie Appleby's unbeaten Devoted Queen presents a major threat however with more progress on the cards, while Soprano and Sirona come here in top form and shouldn't be underestimated either in a fascinating Group 3.