15:05 Ascot

Sunday 26 July 2020

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Betfred Valiant Fillies' Stakes (Group 3) (Rnd)

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 1m 40.39s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

Agincourt¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: D O'Meara| OR: 109| D

11/4

Listed winner last season had the misfortune of bumping into Nazeef the last twice (won six on the bounce) in Group 2 and 1 races. Has 3L to make up with Billesdon Brook on latest run but still respected.

Form: 321-725

(6)

Farzeen²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 92

25/1

Dual novice winner finished third latest in a Listed race at Chelmsford but she is still rated 23lb inferior to Billesdon Brook.

Form: 1160-43

(8)

Iconic Choice^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 99| D

22/1

Behind rivals here in first two starts of 2020; both in races won by Nazeef before second in Pontefract Listed race latest. Would need a couple not to fire to go close here.

Form: 505-942

(4)

Lady Bowthorpe¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: K Shoemark| T: W Jarvis| OR: 95| D

12/1

7f and 1m Lingfield winner yet to win on the turf and unlikely to change that in hottest assignment to date.

Form: 122-164

(10)

Look Around²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 100

11/1

Juvenile Listed winner (the 7f Star Stakes) but 0-7 since. Although third in 1m2f Newcastle Group 3 latest she was beaten 4L and only five ran so to make the frame here will demand more.

Form: 4923-63

(1)

Miss O Connor²⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 108| D

9/4

Unbeaten 4-4 with Listed success at Haydock last August (1m, heavy) followed by Saint Cloud Group 3 (1m, heavy). Clearly high class but unraced on faster than soft so that would be the quandary if she lines up.

Form: 1111-

(5)

Viva Gloria⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: J F Egan| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 96| D

80/1

Twice runner-up twice in German listed company last year before joining this yard. Well held behind Nazeef on stable bow and again looked out of her depth latest in Newbury Listed race.

Form: 7226-68

(7)

Love And Thunder²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 96| D

11/1

Newbury winner on stable debut (second career race) couldn't land a blow subsequently in Epsom Group 3 but may have learnt a bit there and the fact that the champion trainer hasn't lowered her sights is interesting.

Form: 2-16

(9)

Shimmering⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: M Harley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 90| D

17/2

Inexperienced filly who won a backend AW 1m maiden having taken the eye on her debut. 10th of 15 when last seen in the 1000 Guineas but this should offer more hope.

Form: 31-0

(3)

Stylistique³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Varian| OR: 104

8/1

Useful 2yo form (second in Group 2) despite failing to win a race. Quickly put things right on seasonal debut when down in grade winning at Newbury. Midfield since in Haydock Listed race. Ready for step up to 1m now but others preferred.

Form: 4227-17

Non-Runners

(11)

Billesdon Brook¹⁶

Weight: 9-3| Age: 5

T: R Hannon J: S M Levey

Forecasts

Miss O Connor (9/4), Billesdon Brook (9/4), Agincourt (11/4), Stylistique (8/1), Shimmering (17/2), Look Around (11/1), Love And Thunder (11/1), Lady Bowthorpe (12/1), Iconic Choice (22/1), Farzeen (25/1), Viva Gloria (80/1)

Although yet to win in 2020 BILLESDON BROOK boasts first-class credentials here. The dual Group 1 winner was just touched off by Nazeef latest in the Falmouth and it's hard to oppose her on that form. The obvious danger is unbeaten Miss O Connor who won all four starts last term culminating in a win at this level in France. The fact all her form came on very testing ground though is a worry. Although behind the selection latest Agincourt is also on the shortlist.