Alice Springs
Sole representative of Aidan O’Brien, she was third in the 1,000 Guineas, only losing second close home. Tamer display when fading into seventh in the French Guineas but that may have come too soon and has since had a month to recover. Balance of form puts her a rung below this level. Five lengths behind Jet Setting on heavy going in April.
Ashadihan
Second in a Group Three here as a juvenile last summer, when Fireglow was among those behind. Making her reappearance, she pulled off a wildly improbably success at Lingfield last month, failing to handle the track and dropping to last off the home turn before rocketing past all her rivals. Needs drying conditions because soft ground is a doubt for her and horses with that kind of speed rarely prosper on a soft surface. Stamina for this mile also in question but there’s a good race in her when things fall right.
Besharah
One of last year’s best juvenile fillies, winning a Group Three here on soft going as well as York’s Lowther. Still has good races in her, to judge by her close fourth in the French Guineas last month, but her finishing effort was not strong and her stamina for a mile on a testing surface must be in doubt.
Czabo
Stamina not in question with this one, who might benefit from another couple of furlongs. Was a fair fourth in the Irish Guineas, but that leaves her 12 lengths to make up on Jet Setting. Better again when landing a Listed prize at Deauville a fortnight ago. Interesting outsider if there’s enough rain to keep the going soft.
Fireglow
Won twice at Listed level last year and has trained on enough to be fourth in the Guineas (a neck behind Alice Springs) and second in the Musidora, just ahead of a horse that was then third in the Oaks. Step back in trip is not obviously a positive and it looks as though she is just below this class. Versatile as to ground.
Jet Setting
Confirmed mudlark whose first two wins came on heavy going and indeed her third was probably also on heavy if the truth were known. That was in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last month when she became the first horse since August to beat Minding, winner of the English Guineas, with Czabo 12 lengths back in fourth. Could use every drop of rain that falls. Big chance on soft going but at risk of being outpaced if the ground dries up. Layout of this track, with a short home straight, may not suit her battling style so well as other tracks have. Sold at auction for £1.3m on Monday.
Marenko
Only win last year was in a maiden, though she went close in a Group Two and a Group Three before looking outclassed in the Fillies Mile. Unbeaten in two this year, with Besharah back in third in a Group Three at Chelmsford last time. Appears to have grown into herself and probably better to come but this requires a lot more. Versatile as to ground.
Nathra
Only defeat in her first four starts was when second to the mighty Minding in the Fillies Mile in October. Seems to appreciate some cut and limitations arguably exposed on a drier surface when fifth in the Guineas. Has since been a useful running-on second in the French Guineas and may do better here with more juice in the ground. The trainer John Gosden having a good week.
Nemoralia
Bundles of ability and would be a confident selection if this race were run on sun-baked fast going. Soft going, however, is new to her and the suspicion is that she may struggle to cope. Ran on to be third at the Breeders’ Cup last year, just a head behind Alice Springs, who had a better run through the race. Rocketed home six lengths clear in a Listed race at York on her reappearance, Czabo trailing her by 12 lengths. An exciting prospect, whatever happens here.
Now Or Never
Looked useful in victory at Leopardstown in May when the going was good but regressed in the Irish Guineas next time, toiling home 10 lengths behind Jet Setting, two lengths ahead of Czabo. That was her second defeat behind Jet Setting in soggy conditions this year and perhaps she has had enough of that kind of surface. If so, she needs an unexpected turn in the weather here.
Promising Run
Group Two winner as a juvenile but has 12 lengths to make up on Nathra from their Fillies Mile form in October. Two fair efforts in Dubai to start the year and she was then third, a head behind Fireglow, in the Musidora. Lots to prove at this level and the ground is unlikely to help.
Qemah
From the French yard that won this race last year. Third in a Group One as a juvenile and again in the French Guineas last time, sandwiched between Nathra and Besharah. Best effort when winning a Group Three at Chantilly in April and probably no coincidence that that has been her only taste of soft going so far. Chance to get involved if the ground stays wet.
Tanaza
Two wins in June and July last year, beating Alice Springs in a Group Three on the latter occasion. Beaten by that rival and others when fourth in a Group One in September. Went well for a fair way on her reappearance in the Irish Guineas and may be sharper for the outing after fading into seventh, 14 lengths behind Jet Setting. Probably needs the ground to dry out to good to soft at least, in which case she would be a contender.
