The Master of Ballydoyle won three straight renewals of the Classic between 2006 and 2008 and has since recorded three further victories, including Snowfall in 2021. The market is headed by Savethelastdance, who has the pick of the form after finishing a good second in the Epsom Oaks behind Soul Sister. There were no excuses on the day for the Galileo filly, having raced prominently throughout and laid down her challenge in the final three furlongs. A return to a more straightforward track will be a positive and racing fans will be keen to see how she performs, having looked outstanding when winning the Listed Chester Vase by twenty-two lengths on her penultimate start.
The progressive Warm Heart deserves to take her chance at Group 1 level following a comfortable victory in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot. It was the Galileo filly's first attempt over twelve furlongs and she easily disposed of the field inside the final furlong, drawing clear to win by two-and-a-half lengths ahead of the re-opposing Lumiere Rock with Bluestocking a further one-and-a-quarter lengths behind in third. It was the second time Warm Heart had defeated Bluestocking, having been a narrow victor of the Listed Haras De Bouquetot Fillies' Trial Stakes over ten furlongs at Newbury prior. The step up to twelve furlongs has clearly brought further improvement out of the filly and she is tipped to defeat her three stablemates.
There has been some market interest in Dermot Weld's Azazat, who took on the older fillies' and mares when second in the Group 3 Munster Oak Stakes behind the very useful Rosscarbery. She experienced a bit of a trouble passage, struggling for room at the two furlong marker and slightly hampered in the closing stages. A four length winner of a Leopardstown twelve furlong maiden on soft-to-heavy ground prior, the Camelot filly is unexposed on any ground firmer than yielding so any rain at the Curragh would probably be welcomed by connections.
It is difficult to see either Lumiere Rock or Bluestocking reversing form with impressive Ribblesdale winner Warm Heart despite their positions as third and fourth-favourite in the betting. The third choice Ballydoyle filly Be Happy is possibly over-priced at 22/1, having not been seen on the racetrack since the middle of May. She was a fair second behind Eternal Hope in the Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial and although the form has not worked out well, the all-weather surface would not have been ideal for her and she's probably better than that result suggests.
WIN: WARM HEART
