This Fox will not be run into the ground
URBAN FOX seized control of a Curragh Group One in the manner of a filly that relished the step up to a mile-and-aquarter and she could prove a formidable adversary back in the feature Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood (3.35).
Her stable have enjoyed a wonderful run with their fillies in recent weeks — Sea Of Class winning the Irish Oaks just one example — and the decision to buy the daughter of Foxwedge for 425,000 gns at a mares’ sale in December has been vindicated given her broodmare value has rocketed.
Urban Fox is versatile tactically, boasting the speed for a mile and the stamina for today’s trip so she should be well equipped if it becomes a stop-start affair. Veracious set a blistering gallop in the Coronation Stakes and if she can back up that level of performance, she looks the primary danger, with slight concerns about the wellbeing of the Aidan O’Brien stable.
The David Simcock stable won the opening Matchbook Exchange Handicap (1.50) race 12 months ago with Good Omen and MAVERICK OFFICER could make a bold bid to defend the title. Although the selection failed to make a huge impact on the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot, that race has thrown up a host of subsequent winners with the likes of Vale Of Kent, First Contact and Crack On Crack On all winning decent handicaps since the Royal meeting.
Maverick Officer has yet to prove his stamina at today’s trip but he is closely related to two 10f winners in Beauty Way and Galdan and he hit the line strongly in seeing off Ulshaw Bridge over a mile at Haydock. Maverick Officer could trouble recent Newmarket scorer Communique and Sing Out Loud, who should relish the return to today’s trip, at a tidy price.
ISABEL DE URBINA failed to fire on her sole previous attempt at a mile-and-six-furlongs when Precious Ramotswe proved four lengths too strong at York in May. However, she stayed on so gamely to win over 12 furlongs at Pontefract last time that it would be a surprise if she wasn’t as effective under today’s conditions in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (2.25).
Connections lifted this race with Simple Verse in 2015 and their Lope De Vega filly already boasts a course win in May.
This won’t be a straightforward task for the selection given she is rated inferior to the likes of God Given and Star Rock and the latter looks particularly interesting following an eye-catching reappearance in France. Her owners have enjoyed plenty of success with staying fillies here in past years and she looks to have been targeted at this race.
The durability and tenacity of Mark Johnston’s juveniles has already been showcased at this meeting and the industrious
MARIE’S DIAMOND could follow in the hoofprints of recent highprofile two-year-old winners Dark Vision and Victory Command with success in the Qatar Richmond Stakes (3.00).
Two recent trips to Ireland yielded a narrow Group 2 defeat in the Railway Stakes and a brave triumph in Group 3 company. Admittedly, he won’t have life all his own way with Konchek and Sabre in opposition today.
The former recorded a career best when chasing home Advertise at Newmarket in the July Stakes, while Sabre appears ready for a step up to six furlongs following his fine display in the Windsor Castle Stakes when narrowly failing to overhaul Soldier’s Call.
Sporting Chance is one for value seekers to consider as he missed the break behind Konchek last time but was far from disgraced.