French runners have an excellent recent record in the Sun Chariot Stakes, having won four of the last six, and Esoterique (3.30) could improve that in today’s running of the Group One at Newmarket. Supplemented for this on Monday, she has a big chance of starting the weekend strongly for her trainer, André Fabre, whose focus will inevitably be on events at Longchamp.
The well-bred Esoterique has taken her form to a new level this summer, running her compatriot Solow to a length at Royal Ascot, failing by half a length to catch Muhaarar over a trip too short for her and then beating the colts in the Marois. On all three occasions it was a pleasing feature of her performance that she finished strongly.
This race will need to pan out better for her than last year’s Sun Chariot, in which Integral was allowed to dictate sustainable fractions and just kept going. But this strong field should produce the sort of pace she needs to show her best form.
Integral has something to prove, off the track for three months since flopping at the Royal meeting. The progressive Maimara may be more of a danger.
1.45 Newmarket A high draw might not be ideal but Twin Sails has shown an awful lot more than most of his rivals here and could improve on his latest effort, which came not long after his recovery from a virus.
2.00 Ascot This drying surface may help Wind Fire end a long losing run. She went close in a Group Three at Newbury last time when given a lot to do.
2.15 Newmarket Winless since her maiden, Alice Springs has been consistent in Group races and was a fine fourth here in the Cheveley Park last weekend. This return to seven furlongs should help.
2.35 Ascot A slightly depressing collection of veterans who never win may be put to the sword by Star Storm, a progressive youngster from an in-form stable.
2.50 Newmarket This could be another big payday for Zhui Feng, who won a similar race over a shorter trip last month. Waterloo Bridge has not been seen for three months.
3.00 Redcar Soft ground seems a legitimate excuse for Mayfair Lady’s Salisbury defeat and it is hard to shake the memory of her previous success at the Ebor meeting, when she bolted up in a big-field handicap.
3.10 Ascot Third in the July Cup and a Listed winner at Chester next time, Eastern Impact is forgiven his midfield finish at Haydock last time, when he started from what seemed the wrong half of the draw. Faster ground may help.
3.45 Ascot A winner at Newmarket in August, Buckstay has fared consistently well in big-field handicaps and flew home to be fifth in the shorter Ayr Gold Cup last time, doing best of those drawn high. He has a handy 7lb pull for a head defeat by Mr Win in July.
