Salisbury can make Joyeuse happy

Joyeuse can emerge triumphant when she takes a significant dip in grade for the EBF Stallions & Country Gentlemen’s Association Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury today.

Lady Cecil’s filly has had a tall reputation from the very early days of her racing career which is hardly surprising given she is an Oasis Dream half-sister to Frankel.

She showed plenty of promise on her debut at Lingfield back in May, winning cosily despite racing a bit keenly in the early stages before really hitting her stride in the final furlong.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

That victory prompted connections to raise her sights to Group Three level for the Albany Stakes but she was not helped by being drawn low at the Royal meeting.

Nevertheless, Joyeuse showed up extremely well in finishing third behind Kiyoshi, who has subsequently placed at Group One level, and Sandiva, who has gone on to win a French Group Three contest.

That run represents some of the strongest form in the book right now and after being given a break over the high summer months, Joyeuse should claim this Listed event if her Cheveley Park entry is to be realised.

Floating Along produced a career-best effort last time but can top that Brighton victory with further success in the “Choose EBF Nominated” Lochsong Fillies’ Stakes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A winner off a mark of 75 at Warwick in July, Floating Along defied a 3lb rise to fend off Maid A Million at the seaside track last month.

She made all that day, showing plenty of guts to hold on, and while she has gone up a further 4lb for that win, Floating Along appears to be firmly on an upward curve for William Haggas.

No Heretic had to bypass an intended run in the Ebor after late rain produced testing conditions but compensation awaits in the CGA “Persian Punch” Conditions Stakes.

The five-year-old really needs a sound surface and he showed he is no back number when the ground is right when finishing a fine fifth in the Goodwood Cup on his most recent outing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A Group Two was probably shooting a bit high but the conditions of this race certainly favour David Simcock’s charge.

Venue can strike in the Betfred Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment Cup Handicap.

The three-year-old was a surprise winner of a three-runner event at the Merseyside track back in July, with another of owner Khalid Abdullah’s horses finishing only third when billed as the hot favourite.

Venue looked a promising recruit that day, though, defying his inexperience to win by a couple of lengths and he looks sure to improve even further.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Intransigent has a bit to find with a couple of his rivals in the Betfred Salford Red Devils’ In The Community EBF Conditions Stakes but following a string of good runs, he can finally come good.

Sweet Deal can make full use of a slight drop in trip in Kempton’s Betvictor Casino On Your Mobile Handicap.

Five Out Of Five can make it a hat-trick in the MB Distribution Supports Miles For Men Handicap Chase at Sedgefield.

Evan Williams has placed his charge to good effect over the summer, running out a cosy winner of a very moderate event at Newton Abbot in July before following up in a slightly better heat at Stratford last month.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His jumping stood him in good stead and while he tired in the finish, Five Out Of Five demonstrated an admirable attitude to hang on and that kind of outlook should help him to deal with a leap in the weights.

Sacred Aspect is still recovering from a career-ending injury sustained at the Curragh last month.

The grey daughter of Haatef won twice in five races, and peaked with a Listed victory in the Tipperary Stakes. Ken Condon’s smart juvenile was last seen finishing fifth of sixth to Tapestry in the Group Two Debutante Stakes.

Condon said: “She hurt herself in the last furlong (in the Debutante) and fractured a pastern.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“She’s still in hospital now and won’t race again. It’s a very similar injury to the one St Nicholas Abbey got. Hopefully, she can be saved for breeding purposes. It’s a big pity as she was a cracking horse.”

Elusive Kate has been confirmed an intended runner in the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday. John Gosden’s filly has enjoyed an excellent season so far, clinching the third and fourth Group One victories of her career in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket and the Prix Rothschild at Deauville.