SAY GRACE AT NEWMARKET
Sea Of Grace can make a perfect start for new trainer William Haggas, and put herself firmly in the 1000 Guineas picture, by winning the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes on day two of the Craven Meeting at Newmarket tomorrow.
The Born To Sea filly transferred to Haggas’ care over the winter months and he should be the main beneficiary of John Oxx’s excellent handling during her juvenile days.
Oxx is never one to hurry his inmates along and Sea Of Grace did not make her racecourse bow until June, when she finished a creditable third behind Rehana and ante-post Guineas favourite Rhododendron.
Sea Of Grace soon stepped up on that effort, winning a fair maiden from Eziyra at Tipperary before having her sights raised to Group Three level on what was her final start of 2016 last August.
She showed a really nice turn of foot to win by a neck over old old rival Eziyra, who subsequently boosted the form with a Group Three win of her own and looks equally smart.
The drop back to seven furlongs may not be totally ideal given she has already won over further and she does have a chunk of weight to find with Brave Anna and Roly Poly on the ratings, but Haggas himself says he is “excited” run her and it is likely she has more to give still.
Seven Heavens disappointed on the final start of his two-year-old year when last in the Dewhurst, but he can show he is no lost Classic hope yet by winning the bet365 European Free Handicap.
As a son of Frankel from a fine Group One family on his dam’s side, Seven Heavens was always going to attract plenty of attention last year and he impressed many watchers when triumphing at Ascot on his debut.
He followed up with a six-length verdict in an unsatisfactory two-runner affair at Goodwood, where his headstrong nature was severely tested when getting a bump on leaving the stalls, which left him rather lit up.
John Gosden raised his sights to the highest level in the autumn but he gave himself no chance at all in the Dewhurst, pulling hard as Frankie Dettori tried to settle him in the pack and eventually paying for those antics in the finish.
However, he was only beaten just over five lengths by Churchill, so perhaps it was not as bad a run as it appears on first glance and the application of a hood in a race proper - having worn one in the preliminaries at Goodwood - might help him settle a bit better through the early stages.
Folkswood can make good use of his race fitness by winning the Bet365 Earl of Sefton Stakes.
Charlie Appleby’s charge has kept busy in Dubai through the winter, winning one of three outings but posting a career best when second to Decorated Knight at Group One level last month.
He tried to make all on that final start and only narrowly failed by a neck, with a repeat of that form surely putting him right in the mix.
Crimson Rosette showed plenty of promise when fifth on her debut at Headquarters in September and can be forgiven a disappointing second start at Chelmsford as she tackles the bet365 EBF Stallions Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.
Elucidation still holds Dante and Derby entries at this stage so it may be dangerous to ignore him in the closing bet365 Handicap.
Cheltenham stages some fine late-season jumping action with Starchitect the pick in the Matt Hampson Foundation & NSIF Silver Trophy Chase.
He found an on-form Sizing Codelco much too strong when only third at Aintree, but the threemile-one-furlong trip really did not appear to suit and dropping back to two and a half miles should help his chances.
Fixe Le Kap can bag a useful chunk of prize money for Nicky Henderson in the Arkells Brewery Handicap Hurdle.
He turned in a sterling performance when second in the Imperial Cup on his first run in a year and if he can avoid the bounce factor, he could take some beating.