The Listed fillies’ race on Wednesday’s Yarmouth card could be something to savour. Read our full race preview for our betting tips.
IN SUMMARY: This fascinating clash between SO MI DAR and Arabian Queen could possibly the best race ever staged at Yarmouth. The latter famously beat last year’s Derby/Arc hero Golden Horn to record a shock win in the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York last summer and is not opposed lightly but today’s ground will be quicker than she prefers and a moderate run in Epsom also reduces her appeal. The unbeaten 3yo So Mi Dar shoulders a penalty for her success in the Musidora at York in May but she was very impressive that day and, having subsequently missed the Oaks due to a minor setback, she is selected to make up for lost time here. Several of the others are open to improvement and can make their mark at this level in due course, but there is a big gulf in class between them and the big two.
1 So Mi Dar – Has an excellent pedigree and is unbeaten after three starts, the most recent when impressive in the Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York (1m2f, good) in May; subsequently suffered a setback and missed the Oaks but remains a very exciting prospect and ought to play a leading role here.
2 Arabian Queen – Fended off Golden Horn to cause 50/1 shock in the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York (1m2f, good to soft) last summer and probably ran to a similar level when second in a Newmarket Group 2 (1m1f, good) on seasonal reappearance in May; not at best in the Coronation Cup at Epsom when last seen in June and today’s ground might be quicker than ideal, but still commands respect at this level now back against her own sex.
3 Light And Shade – Progressive 4yo who has won two good-quality 1m handicaps this season and arguably posted a new career-best effort when third over that trip at Ascot recently; stays 1m2f but another minor role is probably her best hope today.
4 Maybelater – Placed over 1m2f in Listed company on both starts this year, more recently when posting new career-best performance on fast ground at Salisbury last month; can give another good account here but it’s hard to imagine her troubling the top two on the racecard.
5 Mercy Me – Non-runner
6 Nezwaah – Came from off the pace to gain clearcut win in Listed company at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in July; remains lightly raced but was disappointing when sent to France for a Group 3 contest last month and still needs to prove she can match her best form on turf.
7 We Are Ninety – Successful in Listed company at Newbury (1m2f, good) in May and subsequent sixth in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m4f, soft) was very respectable, but she was soundly beaten in the Irish Oaks on her latest outing and is against a couple of very tough rivals here.
8 Materialistic – Won big-field Newmarket maiden (7f, good to soft) on sole 2yo start and maintained 100% strike-rate in four-runner handicap at Windsor (1m, good to firm) when back in action last month; needs to take a big leap forward to strike at this level but it’s unlikely we’ve seen the best of her.
9 Rostova – Progressive 3yo who bids to complete a hat-trick after two narrow-margin 1m handicap wins this summer; has shaped very much as though today’s longer trip will unlock further improvement, and is likely to collect some valuable “black type” at some stage.
myracing Forecast Prices: 11/10 So Mi Dar, 3/1 Arabian Queen, 8/1 Nezwaah, Rostova, 12/1 We Are Ninety, Materialistic, 20/1 Maybelater, 25/1 Light And Shade