Thursday’s Race of the Day: 15:15 Eternal Fillies’ Stakes at Haydock
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There’s action from Bath, Leicester and Fairyhouse on Thursday, but we’re off to Haydock for our Race of the Day where 13 runners will go to post for the 7f Eternal Fillies’ Stakes at 15:15.
Our traders reckon there are plenty of chances through the field, although it’s Under The Stars who looks set to go off as the favourite. James Tate’s inmate was a Group 3 winner as a two-year-old and ran well on her reappearance this term to finish a respectable sixth behind some nice types in the 1000 Guineas.
This rates as a much easier task, and while the Night of Thunder filly has yet to land the odds beyond 6f, there’s every chance she’ll break her duck here after running out of steam over a mile at Newmarket.
She’ll be taken on by fellow Guineas contender Boomer, who was two from three over this distance as a two-year-old and notably won the Ladbrokes Prestige Stakes at Goodwood last term.
Like Under The Stars, the drop in trip and class should suit, while trainer Richard Kingscote and jockey Tom Dascombe are noted for their excellent strike-rate around Haydock.
While the first pair we’ve mentioned are stepping back down in class, this is something of a step-up for Godolphin hopeful Althiqa, who remains unbeaten with two wins from two.
Granted, Charlie Appleby’s inmate is lightly-raced, but it was hard not to be impressed by the way she returned after 11 months off to win by over 7l in a four-runner contest at Thirsk earlier this month.
There looks to be plenty more to come from this potentially smart filly, and we’re expecting her to put it up to the two former classic contenders.
Jovial is another who looks worthy of her place up in grade after making light work of her handicap mark to make it three from four on the all-weather at Lingfield three weeks ago.
The Dubawi filly has more on her plate here, though, and Sir Michael Stoute’s record of one win from 19 with three-year-olds on the turf this term doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
Charlie Appleby’s yard appears to be in better nick and he runs Spring Of Love, who’s making only her second racecourse start having scored in taking fashion at Newmarket last October.
The second and fourth home that day have both won subsequently, with runner-up Waliyak finishing runner-up in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot last week. She has every chance despite the inexperience.
Elsewhere, Stylistique was second in the Rockfel as a two-year-old and accounted for the useful African Dream last time out, while more is required of Wejdan and Afraid Of Nothing if they’re to feature.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
