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Smart and Fahey to lock horns
Bryan Smart is expecting a big run from the unbeaten Ceedwell in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot today.
The Thirsk trainer has a tremendous record in two-year-old races at the big meeting, having sent out winners of the Coventry, Windsor Castle and Chesham Stakes.
Now he has his sights on this Group Two contest for fillies with the daughter of Exceed And Excel, who has won both her starts at Carlisle and Catterick.
"She looks fabulous and I'm really pleased with her," said Smart.
"I was pleased to read Mark Johnston giving his horse (Capercaillie) a big write-up.
"One of ours, Exgray, was second to her at Musselburgh and only beaten a neck – this filly is a little bit better than that one so that's good news, but it is a very hot contest.
"They say our filly wants further but she won over a very fast five at Catterick with top weight.
"I wanted to give her a bit of experience which was why I took her there. She quickened five lengths clear in the final furlong and that shows how much toe she has got."
In fact the race could prove a bonanza for Yorkshire-trained fillies as Richard Fahey's Rose Blossom, who smashed a track record at Hamilton that has stood for over 30 years on her debut, could turn out to be outstanding and gets the vote.
Kevin Ryan will be delighted that Thirsk Hunt Cup winner Flawed Genius has scraped in as a last-minute reserve in the Royal Hunt Cup.
The consistent Mia's Boy is expected to go well but I have a soft spot for last year's runner-up Docofthebay and hope he can go one better.
The Australians took the King's Stand again yesterday with Dan Morton's Scenic Blast proving too good for his rivals.
Fleeting Spirit was second but the day's eye-catcher was Anglezarke, who defied odds of 33-1 to collect third.
Tadcaster trainer Tim Easterby's filly has made giant strides this season, finishing second to Greek star Ialysos at Haydock and, on this occasion, she did not have the clearest of runs and looks one to watch.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Sunny spells
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