Astral Beau booked for Dahlia date

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Astral Beau will be pitched into Group Two company this weekend, with trainer Pam Sly hoping the handicapper is proved correct.

The four-year-old Brazen Beau filly has been hiked 21lb to a mark of 107 after taking the Listed Doncaster Mile by four lengths and now goes up in trip for the Howden Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on Sunday.

Sly, who part-owned and trained Astral Beau’s 1000 Guineas-winning granddam Speciosa, has seen Astral Beau win five of her 10 career starts, including three victories at Newmarket last term.

The trainer hopes there will be enough ease in the ground ahead of a possible clash with the Godolphin pair of Life In Motion and With The Moonlight, as well as Falmouth winner Prosperous Voyage, in the nine-furlong event.

“She’d have a chance if it rains,” said Sly. “She likes juice in the ground. All her form is on good to soft or soft ground. The whole family need it – all things from Speciosa, they all need that.

“I think the handicapper thinks she has a chance by putting her up 21lb! There is nothing I can do about it – it’s how life is.

“She won at the beginning of the season when it was wet and then towards the end she won three, again when the ground was a bit easier.

“I haven’t got plans beyond this weekend, that’s the trouble. I have to see what happens on Sunday and go from there and see what I can find.

“I shall not try to keep her fit all the time if there is nothing to run her in, but I think she’ll stay. It’s only another furlong. As long as it rains, you know I’ll be there with a chance.”

Sly, who trains at Thorney in Cambridgeshire, does have clearer focus for Wintercrack.

She caused a 20-1 surprise when downing Baaeed’s half-brother Naqeeb, who was third when making his debut in a 10-furlong maiden at Leicester on Friday.

Wintercrack/Leicester
Wintercrack will head to Chester next week (Adam Morgan/PA)

Wintercrack, a daughter of Speciosa, made all in testing conditions under Kieran O’Neill and the Cracksman filly will now have her sights raised with a trip to Chester planned next Wednesday.

“The first time I ran her, as a two-year-old, she was drawn very wide at Southwell and on Thursday night she was a 150-1 shot,” Sly added.

“But again, that’s weather-related. She likes the soft ground. I’m actually going to put her in the Cheshire Oaks (May 10) – I must be mad, mustn’t I?

“She’s fine and I’m going to step her up a furlong and a bit.”

Ascot ambition for Nottingham victor Maggie’s Way

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William Muir and Chris Grassick are dreaming of a trip to Royal Ascot with Maggie’s Way after watching her saunter to a bloodless victory at Nottingham on Tuesday.

Although arriving at Colwick Park a maiden, her half-length second at Kempton in October served as a good clue to her potential and she showed exactly what was lurking in the locker in the Follow @racingtv On Twitter Fillies’ Handicap.

Sent off 12-1 in the hands of James Doyle, she left the opposition trailing in her wake to record a two-length victory and connections are keen to aim the daughter of Cityscape at the Sandringham Stakes at next month’s showpiece meeting in Berkshire.

“The race at Kempton, we felt we were a bit unlucky there, she just got collared on the line. It’s often what happens there at Kempton – they just come over the top of you,” said co-trainer Chris Grassick.

“We’ve never lost faith with this filly over the winter, she has always shown us plenty and galloped well and has a great attitude.

“We came here feeling quite bullish but the price didn’t really reflect what we were all feeling, so it was nice that she was able to get the job done nicely there for us and it’s onwards and upwards.

“Maybe, if we can, we will have one more run before going to Ascot. We’re going to have a go at the Sandringham over the stiff mile.”

Ascot could also be on the agenda for Thunderbear (18-1), who provided Irish handler Jack Davison with his first UK success in the Bet At racingtv.com Handicap.

Thunderbear provides IIrish handler Jack Davison with a first UK winner
Thunderbear provides Irish handler Jack Davison with a first UK winner (PA)

“It was just the way it fell really, it suited us to bring this horse over with the other filly (Hotter Than Hades, unplaced in Nottinghamshire Oaks) and this race just happened to be on the programme,” said Davison.

“It suited him down to the ground and he doesn’t mind ease in the ground. It was quite straightforward and he’s a nice gelding for the future.

“It was my first UK winner but I plan on bringing some more over here. I’m absolutely buzzing, delighted.

“He’s a homebred so credit to my parents, he’s a pretty useful horse and there might be a nice handicap at Ascot for him, we’ll see. I would be pleased if he was a good Saturday horse, but I wouldn’t mind coming back for Royal Ascot if there is something suitable.”

There was further Irish success on the card when Johnny Murtagh’s Starnight (2-1) obliged for favourite backers in the concluding Visit racingtv.com Handicap, while in the opening EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes Amo Racing enjoyed another two-year-old triumph with the Dominic Ffrench Davis-trained Treasure Storm (11-8 favourite).

Treasure Storm takes the opening EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes at Nottingham
Treasure Storm takes the opening EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Nottingham (PA)

“It was a good ride from Kevin. These horses are prepared by Robson Aguiar in Ireland and when they come over here they know their job,” said Ffrench Davis.

“She just missed the break at Musselburgh first time and we think she might need another furlong, but she got the job done nicely there.

“She’s probably not one of the best, but she’s a nice filly and she got the job done today and hopefully she can progress. I don’t think she will be an Ascot filly. We have some lovely ones and she would be lower down the pecking order. But she did well today.”

Harry Eustace’s Belhaven (100-30) got back to winning ways in the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap, while James Fanshawe’s Maso Bastie (7-2) survived a stewards’ inquiry to take his record to two from three in the Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Restricted Novice Stakes.

“Craig Witherford and the team at home have been doing a lot of work with him in the stalls,” said Fanshawe.

“He has won two out of three races he has run in but he’s quite quirky. He has an engine that we have to keep working round and when he was challenged today he battled back well.

“I think he will definitely get a mile and a half but we will see what mark he gets next week and go from there.”

One For Bobby swoops for success in Nottingham feature

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There were famous colours in the winner’s enclosure at Nottingham after One For Bobby landed a telling blow for Hughie Morrison in the British EBF Nottinghamshire Oaks.

The daughter of Frankel, who placed in Group Two company when trained by Johnny Murtagh last term, was adorned in the colours seen to great effect by Frank Dunne – the only Irish trainer to win the Japan Cup, having done so in 1983 with dual Royal Ascot scorer Stanerra.

Dunne died in December last year aged 79, but his legacy has been kept going by his surviving partner Ann Marshall and One For Bobby did the silks justice at Colwick Park.

Making her debut for Morrison, she was sent off 17-2 under a chance spare ride for Rob Hornby and thrived in the soft ground at the East Midlands track to hunt down the front-running Pink Carnation and record a one-length success.

“She has never put a foot wrong at home,” said Morrison. “She came in looking well and she has worked well and when she was 16-1 when we left home this morning I was amazed because we fancied her.

“It read like a decent race and I thought she would like the ground, that helps. We had worked out at home she likes the ground and she is in good form. She has been working with a good filly.

“It’s very competitive in Ireland and Ann Marshall who bred her thought there might be plenty of opportunities here so this is target one hit.”

Future plans for One For Bobby remain fluid, but the Summerdown Stables handler did not rule out raiding missions to France later in the year, while he also feels she is capable of stepping up in distance.

“I think she will stay further, I think she will get a mile and a half,” Morrison added.

“She’s done a lot of running on fast ground last year and I think some cut just suits.

“This was the main plan for her, but we’ll have a look and see if there are some fillies pattern races which could suit. I think we’ll give her the jabs needed for her to go to France.

One For Bobby arrives back after winning the Nottinghamshire Oaks
One For Bobby arrives back after winning the Nottinghamshire Oaks (PA)

“She carries some very famous colours of the late Frank Dunne, who sadly died last year. His partner (Ann Marshall) has carried it all on, so it’s lovely.”

Hornby said:  “I didn’t know a lot about her, I don’t think many did with her coming over from Ireland. She seems very uncomplicated and enjoyed the conditions.

“I wasn’t worried about Danny (Tudhope on Pink Carnation), Hughie was confident she would stay further and it’s quite testing ground. It was nice to have a target to aim at and she stays.”

Bradsell returns in cracking Commonwealth Cup Trial

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Hollie Doyle is excited to be reunited with Bradsell in the British Racing School 40th Anniversary Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot

A hugely impressive winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, he has not been seen since picking up an injury when only fourth of five in the Phoenix Stakes behind Little Big Bear.

With no pretentions of him staying a mile, trainer Archie Watson brings him back in a Group Three previously known as the Pavilion Stakes with a return to the big meeting in June firmly in his and Doyle’s thoughts.

“We’re looking forward to getting him back,” said Doyle.

“He’s looking like a typical sprinter now and he’s a chunky little horse. His work has been pretty solid and it’s a great starting point.

“It’s practically the Commonwealth Cup minus a few so it’s a very hot race. He has his course and distance form and although he may be unknown on the ground, a few of them are in the same boat.”

Charlie Fellowes is keen to see his Vintage Stakes winner Marbaan drop back in trip.

While that Group Two triumph at Goodwood last summer came over seven furlongs, he was well beaten in both the National Stakes and the Dewhurst over the same trip and Fellowes hopes he can make a successful return to sprinting on Royal Ascot Trials Day.

Marbaan (right) winning the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood
Marbaan (right) winning the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood (Adam Davy/PA)

“I felt towards the end of last year that maybe he didn’t quite see out the seven furlongs,” said the Newmarket handler.

“Being by Oasis Dream, I think there’s a good chance he might be happier over six furlongs and I think Ascot will really suit him.

“I think the ground will be perfect and I guess we’ll find out where we really stand for this year.

“He took a while to come to hand this year but he did a really nice piece of work last week and that’s given me the confidence that six furlongs should be fine.”

Mischief Magic will run for Charlie Appleby in the royal blue silks of Godolphin.

Mischief Magic and William Buick
Mischief Magic and William Buick (Steven Paston/PA)

The son of Exceed And Excel won four of his six juvenile starts, including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, and Appleby is satisfied with how his colt has progressed ahead of his seasonal debut.

“We have been pleased with Mischief Magic. He is better suited to a bigger field and a sounder surface but it’s very much a starting point for the season and hopefully a stepping stone to the Commonwealth Cup,” the trainer said on the Godolphin website.

Richard Hannon will saddle both Trillium, a three-time winner who defeated The Platinum Queen in the Flying Childers last season, and the Amo Racing-owned Magical Sunset.

The latter was a five-length winner of the Radley Stakes last season and was most recently seen finishing fifth as the beaten favourite in the Fred Darling last month.

Tom Pennington, racing and operations manager at Amo Racing, said: “We were a touch disappointed after Newbury. She was drawn out on the wrong side and just flattened out a touch.

“It looks an incredibly strong race but we hope the drop back to six furlongs will help her. These sprinters go and get quicker with age and Richard says she is dynamite at home.

“She got quicker and she’s a fast filly so we hope this stiff six will play to her strengths. She will definitely travel well into the race and let’s hope she is good enough to be competitive.”

Cold Case, who landed the Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar last season, will run for Karl Burke, while Andrew Balding’s Desert Cop makes his first start on turf after winning on All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle last time out.

The field is completed by the Richard Fahey-trained Rousing Encore, second in the Mill Reef, and John Ryan’s The X O.

Juliet Sierra to sidestep Guineas challenge

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Juliet Sierra will bypass the Qipco 1000 Guineas and head to Lingfield on Saturday week, reducing trainer Ralph Beckett’s challenge in Sunday’s fillies’ Classic to two.

The Juddmonte-owned daughter of Bated Breath won two of her four starts as a juvenile, including the Group Three Dick Poole Stakes at Salisbury in September.

She was last seen chasing home stablemate Lezoo when fifth in the Cheveley Park at Newmarket in September and Beckett had been targeting a return to the Rowley Mile with both fillies, as well as his recent Newbury scorer Remarquee.

However, while Remarquee and Lezoo remain firmly on course, Beckett has confirmed Juliet Sierra will miss out and instead step up to seven furlongs the following weekend, having been campaigned exclusively over six last season.

“We have decided not to run Juliet Sierra in the Guineas, as we feel she needs a little more time,” said the Kimpton Down handler.

“So, we are re-routing her to the Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield on Saturday week.”

Balding wary of ‘exceptional’ O’Brien pair in 2000 Guineas

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Andrew Balding believes this year’s Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket looks “above average” as he prepares Dewhurst winner Chaldean for the first Classic of the season.

With the Aidan O’Brien-trained duo of Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear heading the market, Balding admits he is in the dark as to how his colt will fair against the Ballydoyle pair, having not come up against either last term.

Auguste Rodin won the Futurity Trophy over mile and has been described as a potential Triple Crown horse by O’Brien, while Little Big Bear has never run over further than six furlongs but was stunning in winning the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last summer.

Balding has full respect for both horses ahead of Saturday’s showpiece event, saying: “I think the two of Aidan’s at the top of the market looked exceptional last year. We’ve not really got any form with them as we never raced Chaldean against either of them.

“I think there are some strong English entries, like Royal Scotsman who ran us close in the Dewhurst, so he has to be respected. It looks an above average Guineas to me.”

Balding sent Chaldean to Newbury a fortnight ago for the Greenham Stakes, but having received a bump on coming out of the stalls, Frankie Dettori was dislodged and Chaldean ran the course riderless.

Chaldean enjoys a roll in his box
Chaldean enjoys a roll in his box (Megan Ridgwell/Jockey Club)

Balding added: “We will only know on Saturday what we missed out on at Newbury and the benefits of having a run as obviously it would have been far more of a benefit for him to have had a jockey on board and have a proper race.

“At the same time, it wasn’t totally lost as he had to go through the preliminary tests of saddling, walking around the paddock and cantering down to the start, which are the extras that go with a run and not just a gallop at home.

“Thankfully he didn’t go and do another circuit loose. He was fairly sensible.

“I couldn’t be happier with him at the moment and Frankie rode him on Saturday and he worked extremely well. It was a very solid piece and his fitness levels are as good as we could hope for in the circumstances.”

With this being Dettori’s farewell season, Saturday will obviously be his final shot at 2000 Guineas glory.

The popular Italian has already won the race three times, aboard Mark Of Esteem (1996), Island Sands (1999) and Galileo Gold (2016), and Balding is pleased to have him on his side.

Andrew Balding watches Chaldean on the gallops
Andrew Balding watches Chaldean on the gallops (Megan Ridgwell/Jockey Club)

“Frankie has been, throughout my career in racing, the standout jockey. It would be wonderful if we can contribute in giving him the send-off he deserves,” said the Kingsclere handler.

“I think if you were giving him a ride in the St Leger that would be a bit more pressure as it would be his last Classic ride. We just hope we have found him something worthy enough for this occasion.

“I’m delighted we have got him, even at his age he is still an extraordinary jockey and I’m sure we won’t be lacking in assistance in the saddle. “

Trueshan back at Ascot with something to prove

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Alan King feels Trueshan has tightened up since his surprise defeat on his seasonal debut and is keen to see how a rematch with his Nottingham conqueror Rajinsky plays out in the Longines Sagaro Stakes.

With the usual proviso about soft ground dictating plans for the rest of the season, there is sufficient cut in the ground to enable King to run his star stayer in the Group Three contest on Royal Ascot Trials Day for the first time.

Trueshan, winner of the Prix du Cadran in 2021, signed off last season with a third success in the British Champions Long Distance Cup, beating Coltrane by a head.

The pair meet again on similar terms, although King’s charge has yet to be beaten at Ascot.

Trueshan returns to the same course and distance on the back of a season-opening defeat by Hugo Palmer’s Rajinsky by half a length at Colwick Park.

King said: “I don’t think anything went wrong at Nottingham aside from he didn’t win. He just got a bit tired on that very deep ground.

“He looks to have tightened up and has worked very well since, so we’ll see what happens on Wednesday.

“He has always got beaten the odd time here and there but on the whole he is very consistent.

“It is a good, tight race, a quality race, and it will be interesting. We’re happy this end, and hoping for a good show.”

Trueshan, who will be ridden by Hollie Doyle as usual, has yet to see his colours lowered at Ascot in three previous visits.

With last season’s Gold Cup winner Kyprios suffering a setback, one of the best stayers in several years may not be ready in time to defend his title.

However, King insists Trueshan will only run at the Royal meeting should there be ease in the ground.

“He is always ground dependent,” he added. “He can only go where there is a bit of soft in the ground. Even good ground is too quick for him these days.

“Let’s get this out of the way. We have entered him for the Gold Cup this morning, but his whole programme revolves round the weather.”

Trueshan’s Nottingham conqueror Rajinsky takes him on again instead of lining up in next week’s Chester Cup, but Harry Davies’ mount is worse off at the weights this time.

Palmer said: “He produced a career-best last time and he is going to need to improve on that this time, not least for the fact that he meets Trueshan on 2lb worse terms.

“But the horse goes well at Ascot and we’ve been happy with him since, although these are very deep waters.”

Like Trueshan, Rajinsky has been handed a Gold Cup entry and is similarly ground-dependent.

“The Gold Cup entries closed on Tuesday, and we have put him in,” added Palmer. “The horse needs soft ground and I am slightly worried about the ground’s ability to dry out at Ascot.

“I’m worried about this week, but we’ve seen Ascots where it has been bottomless at the Royal meeting and if we’ve got a soft-ground Royal Ascot, he’d definitely be worth taking his chance, because I think there would be a chance that he’d say further.”

Kevin Philippart De Foy could send El Habeeb stateside for his next outing, should he run well.

The four-year-old, who signed off his Classic campaign with victory in the Listed Noel Murless at Ascot over two furlongs shorter, ran well in defeat on his first try over two miles in Dubai in March.

El Habeeb and Andrea Atzeni return to the scene of their Noel Murless success
El Habeeb and Andrea Atzeni return to the scene of their Noel Murless success (Adam Davy/PA)

The strapping son of Al Rifai could then return to run in the Gold Cup.

“He filled out well over the winter and should have come on for his run in Dubai,” said Philippart De Foy.

“This will be the most competitive race he’s run in and you have some true Group One horses in the race, but we are happy with the way his preparation has been and the horse is in a good place.

“The good to soft ground should be perfect and it will be interesting to see him against that kind of company, and we will have a better idea of what we do going forward.

“Winning will be difficult, but if we can be placed that would be great. After that, there is a nice race at Belmont in early June, a two-mile race for four-year-olds, that could suit him.

“He travelled very well to Dubai and put weight on once he got there. If he ran well, we would have to consider coming back for the Gold Cup – at the moment he would have to improve a fair bit to take part in the Gold Cup. This will tell us a bit more.”

Remarquee bidding to uphold family honour for Richmond-Watson

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Julian Richmond-Watson provided Ralph Beckett with the first Classic winner of his career when Look Here won the Oaks in 2008 and now 15 years on, trainer and owner will combine once more when Remarquee lines-up in the Qipco 1000 Guineas.

The daughter of Kingman impressed on her debut at Salisbury as a two-year-old and was a springer in the market for the Newmarket Classic prior to running at Newbury on her reappearance.

That support was justified in style as she accounted for a talented cast of fillies in the Fred Darling and she now heads to the Rowley Mile looking to provide both Beckett and Richmond-Watson with a first Guineas of either description.

“It’s very exciting to have a filly as good as this,” said the owner, who also bred Remarquee at his Northamptonshire-based Lawn Stud.

“I’ve obviously had a couple of nice fillies before and a couple of very good colts, but never one running over a mile.

“I’ve been with Ralph since he started, we get on very well and we’ve enjoyed great success together. It’s very exciting and lets hope she runs well.”

The last of Richmond-Watson’s string to begin her career by beating the colts at Salisbury was Look Here in October 2007, a relative of Remarquee, and he is hoping that proves a good omen following her strong start at the Wiltshire track last autumn.

Remarquee before winning the Fred Darling at Newbury
Remarquee before winning the Fred Darling at Newbury (PA)

“Once she won at Salisbury (beating the Juddmonte-owned Bresson) we were always very hopeful she was well above average,” continued Richmond-Watson.

“The last time I had a two-year-old filly winning a Salisbury maiden and beating a colt was Look Here. And interestingly enough she beat a Juddmonte horse (Doctor Fremantle) as well, so that was all rather auspicious I would say, so lets keep our fingers crossed.”

Although hoping the stars will align once again in Sunday’s Classic, Richmond-Watson – who currently serves as Chairman of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association – says there will be no nerves in the build-up to the big race and simply hopes his filly can do herself credit on the big stage.

“Luckily I don’t get too nervous,” he added. “If you live with them and breed them from our small stud you get used to it. It’s mostly disappointments, so it is also exciting when a good one comes along, but I don’t get too nervous anymore.

“Good fillies are the lifeblood of our industry and if you get a good filly you bring them home and hopefully breed another one.”

White Birch bidding for Derby Trial double

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White Birch will return to Leopardstown to put his Betfred Derby aspirations on the line in the Derby Trial Stakes on Sunday.

Trained by John Joseph Murphy, the colt opened his account at the second attempt at Dundalk in November and thrived for the step up in trip on his three-year-old return to cause a 22-1 upset in the Dublin track’s Ballysax Stakes.

Now the son of Ulysses will head to the race previously known as the Derrinstown Derby Trial as he attempts to follow in the footsteps of Battle Of Marengo (2013), Broome (2019) and Bolshoi Ballet (2021) who all completed the double in the last 10 years.

A strong showing could signal a trip to Epsom for on June 3 where White Birch would have the opportunity to become the first horse since Harzand in 2016 to win both the Ballysax and the premier Classic.

“He came out of the race at Leopardstown really well and we couldn’t be happier with how things are going. His work has been great and he is in super form,” said George Murphy, assistant trainer to his father.

“The plan is to go back to Leopardstown for what was the Derrinstown – it’s just the Derby Trial now – and after that we can make a decision over whether we go to the Derby or not.

“I have no doubt the trial will be a difficult race, but he’s in great form and we’re looking forward to it.”

A total of 14 colts have been entered for the Derby Trial with Aidan O’Brien responsible for Adelaide River, Continuous, Gooloogong, Londoner, Mohawk Chief and Tower Of London.

Donnacha O’Brien’s Proud And Regal and Jessica Harrington’s Sprewell are others of note.

Dante bid possible for The Foxes

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A crack at York’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes appears to be on the cards for The Foxes following his second on reappearance in the Craven Stakes.

The Andrew Balding-trained colt cost 440,000 guineas as a yearling and went someway to justifying that price-tag when following up his maiden success at Goodwood with victory in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket in his final appearance at two.

The form of that Group Two triumph got a boost when runner-up Dubai Mile successfully stepped up to 10 furlongs in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud and The Foxes will likely now be given his own opportunity to shine at that distance following a pleasing return at Newmarket.

The Foxes (left) winning the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket last September
The Foxes (left) winning the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket last September (David Davies/PA)

Tackling a mile in the Craven, he travelled smoothly before giving way to Karl Burke’s 2000 Guineas contender Indestructible in the closing stages – a run that will have blown away any cobwebs before a trip to the Knavesmire on May 18.

“He’s a lovely horse. In hindsight I wish I had just followed Indestructible a bit longer,” said Oisin Murphy – who rode The Foxes on the Rowley Mile.

“We felt before the race he would stay a mile and a quarter well and Andrew (Balding) and Alastair Donald (racing manager for owners King Power Racing) mentioned he will probably go for the Dante.

“He’s by Churchill who is a son of Galileo and his best distance was over a mile and we also know the family – we had Bangkok who is the half-brother. He is a lovely horse.”