Betway Pinnacle Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares)

The Pinnacle Stakes is a Group 3 contest for Fillies and Mares, a race that has been run since 2003 and has plenty of smart horses on his roll of honour. John Gosden’s Journey took this race in 2016 and is arguably the smartest horse to claim this contest.

Willie Mullins has been in flying form with his flat horses in Ireland and will look to continue that form with True Self. She arrives here on a five-timer and has been hugely progressive, making her seasonal return with a comfortable Listed success at Gowran Park. She sets the standard on ratings and she remains completely unexposed overall, so she merits plenty of respect.

Klassique has finished runner up on her last two outings, returning this season with a close second in a Goodwood Listed race. She made plenty of late gains over the twelve-furlong distance but her keenness early on likely ruined her chance in the closing stages. Her best form does give her a squeak in this line-up and she’s now race fit, but she does need to learn to settle better.

Ending last season with a clear career-best to land a Newmarket Group 3, Highgarden landed that contest by a head in a bunched finished. She has to carry a three-pound penalty on seasonal return due to that success, but she remains lightly-raced for top connections and further progress is more than likely. A win for her with give John Gosden top trainer honours in the contest.

Mrs Sippy was highly progressive last term, a Listed winner in France who was a head behind Highgarden at Newmarket in a Group 3 contest. That sort of form would give her a very strong shout, but she was tailed off on seasonal return and that is extremely worrying. She’s capable of far better, but there is certainly risks attached.