UK: Nunthorpe Heroine Heading For Newmarket

Margot Did, winner of last season's Group One Nunthorpe Stakes at York, is a likely runner in the £55,000 Group Three Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes (3.45pm) over five furlongs at Newmarket's QIPCO Guineas Festival on Saturday, May 5.

The four-year-old filly is bidding to get back to winning ways after a pair of slightly disappointing efforts in Meydan, the most recent of which came in the Group One Al Quoz Sprint on March 31.

Bell, who is based at Fitzroy House Stables in Newmarket, said: “Margot Did is likely to run in the Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes.

“We think she is better with a bit of cut in the ground and the form book suggests that as well, so we are very happy with the condition of the track at Newmarket.

“We were a little bit disappointed with her performances in Dubai, but she was only beaten just over four lengths in both races and the ground was exceptionally quick. We know she is better with a bit of cut and she has returned in great form.

“She is effective on the track at Ascot, which is unique, so I wouldn't worry too much about running her there in the King's Stand Stakes, but if the ground was fast in other races we may be inclined to swerve it.”

Margot Did, usually ridden by Hayley Turner, is likely to face stiff competition in the Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes from Hamish McGonagall, who was three-quarters of a length behind her at York, while Robin Bastiman is likely to saddle dual Nunthorpe Stakes winner Borderlescott.

Ed McMahon has made two entries including Temple Meads, who missed the whole of last season but had previously captured Newbury's Group Two Mill Reef Stakes as a two-year-old in 2010. Amour Propre won the Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes in 2009 and is the sole entry for Henry Candy, while Kevin Ryan has entered the Dr Marwan Koukash-owned Masamah, who won the Group Two King George Stakes at Goodwood in July. Mayson, an impressive winner of the Listed Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes at the Craven Meeting in April, could represent Richard Fahey.


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