SO MI DAR READY TO SHINE
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 tomorrow.
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 fast-ground 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 resume 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 two-year-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.
Zainhom might be the exciting one for Sir Michael Stoute in the Matchbook Traders Conference Heron Stakes. He returned to action in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, travelling well for much of the journey and is well entitled to do better still for that.
A solid fixture at Goodwood is headlined by the Markel Height of Fashion Stakes, which can go the way of Gakku.