14:20 Ascot

Saturday 26 July 2025

All13:1013:4014:2015:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

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

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 1m 39.30s

(11)

Cheshire Dancer¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Loughnane| T: H Palmer| OR: 96| D

22/1

Better than ever when winning a Leicester handicap in May and has built on that effort in her 2 subsequent outings, third in the Kensington Palace at the Royal Meeting here before runner-up to Royal Dress in listed race at Pontefract. Has work to do upped further in grade, though.

Form: 26-0132

(10)

Jancis²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D Egan| T: W McCreery| OR: 104

5/1

Quickly made up into a useful performer, winning Group 3 at Leopardstown on only her second start. Has matched that level in her 3 runs this year, upped in grade/trip when creditable fifth of 7 in Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh (10f) last month. Can give another good account.

Form: 118-255

(7)

Lou Lou's Gift^t²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95

25/1

Progressive in handicaps last season, scoring at Newmarket (7f) in June before an improved second at the same C&D the following month. After almost a year off, probably needed the run in listed race at Chelmsford City 25 days ago, so she could still have more to offer upped in trip.

Form: 21/312-6

(4)

Royal Dress¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: J Tate| OR: 106| D

4/1

Improved performer last year as she won at listed and Group 3 level. Bounced back to form when an impressive winner of another listed race at Pontefract 18 days ago, by 3¼ lengths from Cheshire Dancer, and she looks ready for return to this grade. Can make her presence felt.

Form: 813-341

(3)

American Gal⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: M Barzalona| T: E Walker| OR: 99| D

15/2

Successful on all-weather both starts at 2 yrs and stepped forward from reappearance when winning listed race at Chantilly (8f) in May. Found it tougher in Prix de Diane back at Chantilly (10.4f) last time, though hampered start, so she's not ruled out back down in trip/grade.

Form: 11-317

(9)

Bermuda Longtail⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 99

16/1

Winner at Kempton on second start last year and, making turf debut, back on the up when second in listed race at York (7.9f, good) in May. Not in the same form in Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom (8.5f, good to soft) last time, but she could yet do better after only the 5 starts.

Form: 21-227

(5)

Cajole²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 98| D

7/2

Off the mark at Newcastle on second outing and has improved in her 3 starts since, despite finding one too good on each occasion. Making handicap debut, shaped best in Sandringham at the Royal Meeting here, before left poorly placed in listed race at Sandown last time. Respected.

Form: 41222

(2)

Chantilly Lace³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 106

11/4

Salisbury novice winner at 2 yrs and shaped encouragingly fast-tracked to the highest level when fifth of 10 in 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on only her second start. Again showed promise when fifth in Coronation Stakes over C&D last month and she's a major player in this grade.

Form: 1-55

(6)

Glittering Surf⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 92| D

16/1

Looked good prospect when winning at Kempton first 2 starts, seeing off the reopposing Bermuda Longtail by a length on this season's return. Lost her unbeaten record when fifth of 9 in listed race at York in May, but she remains with plenty of potential.

Form: 1-15

Non-Runners

(8)

Sunfall⁴⁹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: D O'Meara J: D Tudhope

(1)

Pina Sonata⁶⁰

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: J R Fanshawe J: Daniel Muscutt

Forecasts

Chantilly Lace (11/4), Cajole (7/2), Royal Dress (4/1), Jancis (5/1), American Gal (15/2), Pina Sonata (10/1), Glittering Surf (16/1), Bermuda Longtail (16/1), Sunfall (20/1), Cheshire Dancer (22/1), Lou Lou's Gift (25/1)

Having won her sole outing as a 2-y-o, CHANTILLY LACE has shaped well upped straight to the highest level this season, still looking in need of the experience when fifth in the Coronation Stakes over C&D last time. She could be ready to resume winning ways in this Group 3, though Royal Dress isn't taken lightly on the back of an impressive listed success, with Cajole also one to note.