Racecards
15:50 Ascot
Independent Newspaper E.b.f. Valiant Stakes (fillies Listed) (Class 1)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- Form 220-442
- Age 4
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer A B Haynes
- Jockey Dane O'Neill
tracked winner early, lost touch over 3f out, soon weakened, well behind final 2f, tailed off
- Form 325-413
- Age 4
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer W J Haggas
- Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
tracked leaders, chased winner over 3f out, no impression over 1f out and lost 2nd, one pace final furlong
- Form 53-1281
- Age 4
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 78
started slowly, well in rear and hard ridden, soon eased and pulled up over 5f out
- Form 1-241
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer Sir H R A Cecil
- Jockey Richard Hughes
held up behind, in touch, ridden well over 2f out, no progess and weakened over 1f out
- Form 49-2621
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer B J Meehan
- Jockey R L Moore
behind, ridden over 3f out, some headway 2f out, never near leaders
- Form 114-3
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 94
close up, ridden over 3f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner
- Form 7-18748
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer C E Brittain
- Jockey S Sanders
started slowly, behind, ridden 3f out, no impression 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 3-71
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey R Hills
made all, led, ridden clear over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, impressive
Verdict
Star Cluster is taken to repel the challenges of Squaw Dance, Wasseema and Whitethorne to name but three in an open Listed contest. Star Cluster was tried over 10 furlongs at Newbury on her first try in Listed company in June, but failed the test as she ran out of steam with two furlongs to go. Henry Cecil then did the right thing next time, dropping her back to a mile at Sandown where she looked the part in beating Silver Touch. Her earlier comeback effort behind Red Evie stands up to close inspection as well, and the daughter of Observatory can make a name for herself at this level now that connections appear to have found her right trip. Squaw Dance was a creditable third in Group 3 company in Germany last time, and holds Little Miss Gracie at least on earlier Hamilton form, while Wasseema, who won wearing earplugs at Goodwood, may progress from just being a decent maiden winner in time. Whitethorne is developing into more than a useful handicapper judged on her latest victory at Carlisle where there was a fast pace throughout. She should not be disgraced either, and nor should Cape Columbine who could yet recapture her useful juvenile form. Star Cluster is on the upgrade though and is the one to beat.
Formwatch
Little Miss Gracie 6-5fav (8-9) Chased winner, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Squaw Dance (8-9) at Hamilton 1m fll stk (3) gf in Jun.
Squaw Dance 28-10 (9-4) led until headed final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Molly Art (9-6) at Hamburg 1m Grp 3 (1) gd.
Whitethorne 9-2 (9-4) In touch, headway to lead over 2f out, stayed on strongly, won at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Regent's Secret (9-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Star Cluster 5-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, switched left 2f out, led over 1f out, hard driven final furlong, just held on, won at Sandown 1m 3yo lst fll (1) gf beating Silver Touch (8-12) by a shd, 10 ran.
Distinctive Look (IRE) 9-2 (8-7) Tracked leaders, switched right over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, ran on well, ridden out, won at Goodwood 1m 1f mdn stk (5) gd in Jun beating Muntada (8-7) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Expensive 5-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 7l behind Reunite (8-8) at Yarmouth 1m 2f lst fll stk (1) frm.
Highway To Glory (IRE) 18-1 (8-9) In touch, hard ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Sabana Perdida (8-9) at San Siro 1m fll stk sft.
Wasseema (USA) 5-4fav (9-0) Made all, pushed along and quickened from 2f out, ran on strongly final furlong, comfortably, won at Goodwood 1m 3yo mdn fll (5) gf in Jun beating Early Evening (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Cape Columbine 50-1 (9-5) Keen hold, held up, pushed along over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 7, 5l behind Rajeem (8-10) at Newmarket 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) gf.