A horse-by-horse guide to the 1m3½f Group 1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on Saturday…
1. Doha (Ralph Beckett/Hector Crouch)
Dropped back in class when taking the 1m2f Listed Prix Dahlia at Saint-Cloud in early October. Proven form on soft ground and won the 1m Kensington Palace Handicap at the Royal meeting in June. Group 1 level is probably a bit beyond her.
2. Quantanamera (Andreas Suborics/Stephane Pasquier)
German raider. Can be somewhat inconsistent although produced a good effort to finish second in the 1m2½f Group 2 Prix Corrida in May. Notably won the 1m4½f Group 2 Grand Prix de Deauville in very soft conditions on last start, which could prove key if rain continues to fall at Ascot.
3. Queen Of The Pride (John & Thady Gosden/Oisin Murphy)
Kept lightly campaigned by connections and rose to prominence with a Group 3 victory followed by a comfortable three-length defeat of the re-opposing Tiffany in the 1m4f Group 2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock. Well-fancied to go close when last of eight in the 1m4f Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks on her subsequent start and has not been seen since. Capable in an open field.
4. Sea Theme (William Haggas/Tom Marquand)
Not hit the heights that she promised after winning in Listed company at York in August 2023 as a three-year-old. Winner of a 1m4f Clairefontaine Listed earlier in the year but would have to find more against re-opposing rivals from the 1m6f Prix Royallieu, where she could only manage sixth.
5. Sumilha (Dermot Weld/Chris Hayes)
Lightly raced with only five starts under her belt. Displayed a good level of ability when taking the 1m4f Group 3 Munster Oaks Stakes at Cork although failed to hit the frame in a Group 3 at Leopardstown subsequently. Needs to find more.
6. Thunder Roll (Joseph O'Brien/James Doyle)
Proven stamina after a good fourth in the 1m6f Group 1 Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp, although the form of the race is difficult to assess at this stage. James Doyle is an interesting booking, and she has more credentials than many of the outsiders.
7. Tiffany (Sir Mark Prescott/Luke Morris)
Cleverly campaigned by Sir Mark Prescott last year to pick up handicap prizes before landing a Listed race in Hanover in September. Returned to Germany in late August as a four-year-old to take a 1m4f Group 2 at Baden-Baden and has been kept fresh for this race. Interesting prospect.
8. Time Lock (Harry Charlton/Rossa Ryan)
Produced some mixed efforts in the early part of the season before stepping up to the task in the 1m4f Group 3 Princess Royal Stakes in a weak field. Does operate on the ground and will be staying on in the closing stages.
9. Village Voice (Jessica Harrington/Cristian Demuro)
Demonstrated a liking for soft ground when winning the 1m2½f Group 3 Prix Flore at Saint-Cloud at the end of her three-year-old campaign. Picked up another good prize last time out at the same course when landing a 1m4f Listed race on very soft. Place prospect if conditions turn attritional.
10. Content (Aidan O'Brien/Ryan Moore)
Took a while to hit best stride this year before finishing second in the 1m4f Group 1 Irish Oaks. Appeared an improved filly when justifying favouritism to beat You Got To Me in the 1m4f Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks during the Ebor Meeting. Can be forgiven a disappointing run on slow ground in the 1m2f Group 1 Prix de l'Opera with return to 1m4f expected to suit.
11. Grateful (Aidan O'Brien/Christophe Soumillon)
Daughter of super-star American racemare Tepin. Surprised many with a victory in the 1m6f Group 1 Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp over 'Arc' weekend under Soumillon, who keeps the ride. Proven stamina could be an advantage if ground turns slow and she clearly holds ability.
12. Kalpana (Andrew Balding/William Buick)
Started her three-year-old campaign in novice company and has risen through the ranks. Broke through at Stakes level when taking the 1m3f Listed Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton before an impressive near-five-length rout in the 1m4f Group 3 September Stakes. Been relatively light campaigned in comparison to hardened rivals.
13. War Chimes (David Menuisier/Billy Loughnane)
Posted a good third in the 1m4f Group 1 Oaks at Epsom behind Ezeliya when staying on in the closing stages but struggled to make any impact in the Irish equivalent when hanging badly right in the straight. Not been on the track since and will be interesting to see how she fares.
14. Wingspan (Aidan O'Brien/Sean Levey)
Another spare ride for Sean Levey on an O'Brien horse – a combination which has borne fruit this season. Tries the longer distance and Group 1 level for the first time following two placings at the Curragh, including when runner-up in the 1m2f Group 2 Blandford Stakes.
