Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes (Fillies' & Mares' Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 1m 40.48s

(1)

Inspiral⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 117| CD

9/2

High-class mare at best who completed a top-level hat-trick in November's Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita having won this race a month prior to that. Yet to fully fire this time, held back by another tardy start trying to win the Prix Jacques le Marois for the third time in August.

Form: 111-463

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(3)

Nashwa¹⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 120| D

5/1

Very smart mare who displayed a potent turn of foot, even down in trip, when an impressive winner of the Falmouth on the July Course last summer. Hasn't been able to add to her tally since, albeit running several fine races last season. Mid-field at Meydan in March but she's in the right hands.

Form: 13236-9

(2)

Darnation⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 109| BF| D

16/1

Confirmed she's very useful when winning the German 1000 Guineas in May and performed with real credit when runner-up under a penalty in a Group 3 at Newcastle a month later (10.2f). Unable to add another German classic to her CV when fifth to Erle in Preis der Diana and she has plenty to find.

Form: 15-0125

(4)

Elmalka⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: R Varian| OR: 113| CD

13/2

Relished a well-run 1m when getting up close home to win the 1000 Guineas over C&D on just her third career start. Back at that form up with a brace of fourth-place finishes in the Coronation Stakes and the Nassau, latterly taking on her elders for the first time. Back in distance.

Form: 1-3144

(5)

See The Fire⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 114

3/1

Performed with real credit in Group1 company, elevating her form when a neck-second to Opera SInger in the Nassau at Goodwood and she capitalised on the slight drop in grade in fine style when a ready winner of the Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York. No reason why she won't give it another good go.

Form: 3-05421

(6)

Tamfana³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: D Menuisier| OR: 113| D

2/1

Smart filly who was unlucky not to win the 1000 Guineas. Good third in Prix de Diane at Chantilly next time before respectable fourth in Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp, giving the impression further step up in trip stretched her. Cashed in on drop in grade in the Atalanta Stakes last time.

Form: 1-34341

Forecasts

Tamfana (2/1), See The Fire (3/1), Inspiral (9/2), Nashwa (5/1), Elmalka (13/2), Darnation (16/1)

This isn't an easy race to assess but the Gosden-trained 5-y-os NASHWA and Inspiral do have the slight edge on form over the 3-y-os. Inspiral was very impressive in this a year ago but hasn't looked quite the same mare this term, so the versatile Nashwa is just preferred on her return to action. See The Fire could be the pick of the Classic generation.