LADY TO FINISH FIRST FOR FRANKIE

14:25 Newmarket

Sandrine was the favourite here when winning the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot on heavy ground, she improved from debut but is unproven on faster ground. Trainer Andrew Balding had a great Royal Ascot with his 2YO’s.

Second to the aforementioned Sandrine in the Albany, Hello You had previously won impressively on debut. Cost £350,000 as a yearling and is trained by Ralph Beckett who excels with Fillies. Like the Favourite she is untried on fast ground but has more improvement in her. She can finish in front of Sandrine today.

The George Boughey trained Oscula is having a fabulous season with his two-year-old’s. Oscula was third to Sandrine in the Albany but beaten slightly further there than when beaten by Sandrine on debut. Think this one will be beaten again by his Ascot conquerors.

Down the field in the Albany Flotus can be forgiven that run as she failed to handle the heavy conditions that day and was considerately ridden. Had been impressive on only previous run. Frankie Dettori is 5 from 12 in the last 5 years when riding for the Crisford team. She can run much better here.

Desert Dreamer has a fantastic record of 112 at the Newmarket but was down the field in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. A close second in a listed race last time but needs to improve.

Frankel filly Sadmah won her only race to date at Haydock, did it well but this is a big step up in grade.

The Norfolk stakes at Royal Ascot holds the key here. The first three plus unplaced Flotus renew rivalry here. Sandrine was the winner there but may not confirm the form on vastly different ground. I fancy Hello You to run a big race, her trainer excels with fillies. However, I am prepared to take a chance on the horse that was down the field that day. Flotus clearly did not handle the heavy ground and was looked after by Frankie Dettori. Dettori does not ride very often for his old Godolphin boss Simon Crisford but when he does the hint should be taken and Flotus can improve past the horses that beat her at Ascot.

FLOTUS (WIN)

written by Steve Marriott