So Mi Dar should outclass her opposition
SO MI DAR can add her name to the select list of fillies to have won the Matchbook Brigadier Gerard Stakes with victory on the best evening card of the year at Sandown.
The four-year-old was meant to reappear at York last week but was scuppered by the rain, which will not be on the list of things to worry about this week for fastground lovers.
John Gosden’s charge is pretty versatile in terms of underfoot terrain, but there is no doubt she goes well on a sound surface and, despite her trainer’s hand being slightly forced, it is encouraging to see her take on the colts.
Her CV shows just one reverse, when narrowly beaten in the Prix de l’Opera at Chantilly on Arc day. She was only half a length away, though, and might have been a touch unlucky.
This is not of that standard and while she might need a mile and a half to be seen at her optimum if tackling the very best this season, her obvious class should see her through this engagement before her sights are raised again.
Sound And Silence is hard to oppose in the Better Odds With Matchbook National Stakes.
Charlie Appleby’s first twoyear-old winner of the season looked all speed at Newmarket, in what was quite a taking performance, despite the winning margin only being a narrow one.
He moved enthusiastically on the front end and did not have to be asked too many questions to see off the challenge of Never Back Down, who boosted the form when winning at Leicester.
Ground conditions should be ideal and Appleby has his string in rattling good form, so this race looks just up his alley before hopefully going on to Ascot.
Big Orange can take full advantage of his pull in the weights with Quest For More by winning the Matchbook VIP Henry II Stakes.
The pair both sit on a mark of 117 and their previous encounters have resulted in some hard-fought battles, most notably when just a neck separated the pair in the Goodwood Cup a couple of years ago.
However, Big Orange has a 7lb pull here by virtue of Quest For More’s Group One win in France last autumn, and Michael Bell’s charge can put that to good use.