Racecards
15:05 Ascot
Windsor Forest Stakes (Class A) (Group 2) (fillies) (Class A)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
- Form 143-161
- Age 4
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer E Lellouche
- Jockey O Peslier
held up in rear, switched right to outside and headway over 2f out, chased leading pair under pressure over 1f out, no impression and lost third final 100 yards
Favourable Terms
256- Form 11215-
- Age 4
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey Kieren Fallon
held up in touch, pushed along over 3f out, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out
Marbye (IRE)
14- Form 413-141
- Age 4
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer B Grizzetti
- Jockey Mirco Demuro
behind, ridden halfway, stayed on under pressure from over 1f out, no danger
Beneventa
35- Form 340-112
- Age 4
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer J L Dunlop
- Jockey S Sanders
with leader, led 5f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Chic
27- Form 13621-6
- Age 4
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey Gary Stevens
took keen hold, held up, closing on leaders when stumbled badly and almost unseated rider over 2f out, kept on, not recover
- Form 01/4-141
- Age 5
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer S bin Suroor
- Jockey L Dettori
tracked leaders, promising effort going well over 2f out, soon ridden, found nil and weakened entering final furlong
- Form 1-01211
- Age 4
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer S bin Suroor
- Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
soon led, headed 5f out, stayed pressing leader until led briefly over 2f out, weakened quickly
- Form 3422-36
- Age 5
- Weight 8-9
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, driven to chase winner after, one pace
Soldera (USA)
256- Form 12/4140-
- Age 4
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer J R Fanshawe
- Jockey Johnny Murtagh
tracked leaders on inner, ridden and not quicken over 2f out, stayed on under pressure to take third final 100 yards
- Form 20-0054
- Age 6
- Weight 8-9
took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off
Verdict
Undoubtedly like many of the Royal Ascot crowd, we are hoping that Frankie Dettori has chosen the right one in Crimson Palace over Gonfillia in his bid to add another high-profile success to his portfolio. Even so, it will not be plain sailing for the former champion jockey and he can be expect to be pushed all the way to the line if the likes of Beneventa and Favourable Terms run anywhere near their best. This year's running of this Group-two-prize has the added spice of European raiders, Actrice and Marbye clouding the assumptions as they make their British debuts here today. The latter comes here on the back of winning at this level in Italy and has to be respected accordingly - although in truth, she does have a little to find and others make more appeal. Whereas Actrice comfortably brushed aside the challenge of the likes of Monturani in the Prix Corrida and will be a big threat to all if she handles this stiff finish. Jockey bookings suggest that Sir Michael Stoute will be expecting Favourable Terms to fare the best out of his two representatives and support for the daughter of Selkirk is virtually assured with Kieren Fallon doing the steering. However, the Godolphin team already have a good line on the Stoute filly and Crimson Palace may be the safer option today. The South African-bred mare held her own in some very good company in her exploits overseas but proved her well being when narrowly getting the better of Beneventa at York last month. The drop back to a mile should not be a problem for either horse but as Crimson Palace may just have needed the run on her reappearance, she is fancied to confirm her superiority again today.