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15:15 Newmarket – The Sun Chariot Stakes
The Sun Chariot Stakes, named after the 1942 fillies Triple Crown winner Sun Chariot, is the sole Group 1 race live on ITV racing today. Established in 1966 and run over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, it is here where we concentrate our efforts.
The last two renewals have seen Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore team up with the winner so even though the trainer saddles three it would appear Clemmie is the main stable-hope as she is the choice of Ryan Moore. That said, she has now gone twelve months without victory, is yet to win in four attempts since stepping up to a mile trip and was behind the re-opposing Laurens last time out.
The ultra-consistent filly Laurens is a real battler and has become a personal favourite of mine this season. A four-time Group 1 winner, last seen beating Alpha Centauri in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown last month, she has three wins and a second from four runs over a mile and also boasts winning form over course and distance having won the Bet365 Fillies Mile last Autumn. She is unlikely to go down without a fight but I fear has had a few tough races already this season so may not be at her very best and for that reason I am happy to look elsewhere for the winner today.
Wind Chimes has also had a consistent season despite only managing one visit to the winners’ enclosure. A close third in the French 1000 Guineas earlier in the season, she returned in August with a three-length victory in a Group 3 race at Deauville and was only a head away from winning the Moulin Longchamp Group 1 Stakes last month, being beaten by Recoletos but finishing ahead of Expert Eye and Sussex Stakes winner Lightning Spear. There still looks more to come from the Andre Fabre trained three-year-old and its unlikely she will be too far away at the finish.
Veracious has twice placed at Group 1 level and arrives here following a convincing victory in a Group 3 race at Sandown last month, travelling strongly before asserting inside the final furlong to beat the highly-regarded William Haggas filly Awesometank by just over a length. With trainer and jockey in excellent recent form she provides a bit of value against the two market principles and looks to have a great chance of victory with further progress expected.
VERACIOUS (WIN)
ITV Races
13:50 Ascot – Intense Romance (E/W)
14:05 Newmarket – Fille De Reve (WIN)
14:25 Ascot – First Eleven (WIN) – NAP
14:45 Redcar – Beat Le Bon (E/W)
15:00 Ascot – Gifted Master (WIN)
15:35 Ascot – Shady McCoy (E/W)