Happily can bring smiles

Filly can take O’brien closer to record of 25 top-level season successes

Newmarket race-goers should be all smiles if they support HAPPILY in the Fillies’ Mile.

Aidan O’brien is rapidly closing in on Bobby Frankel’s record of 25 top-level wins in a year and the Galileo filly can contribute yet another Group One success.

Happily has already put up two wins to help towards the record bid and while she is unlikely to be of much betting value, it is hard to side against her.

She was evidently among the Ballydoyle top rank from an early point but looked likely to be eclipsed by better stablemates in due course after Magical edged her out in the Debutante Stakes.

However, Happily roared back when clinging on to the Moyglare by a short head from that stablemate while she put the colts to the sword when winning the Prix Jean-luc Lagardere at the Arc meeting nearly two weeks ago.

GAVOTA had to settle for third place in the Rockfel last time but granted better luck in the Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes, she should return to winning form.

Roger Charlton’s charge has looked a potential star in winning her first two outings, coming home six lengths clear on her second start in a novice event at Lingfield in August.

ABEL HANDY can reverse recent York form with Sound And Silence in the Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes.

SELECTIONS: NEWMARKET: 1.50 Abel Handy, 2.25 GAVOTA (NAP), 3.00 Dabyah, 3.35 Happily, 4.10 Koeman, 4.45 Final Treat, 5.20 Natavia.

YORK: 2.10 Ginbar, 2.45 Zabeel Prince, 3.20 Machree, 3.55 Gold Star, 4.30 Show Palace, 5.05 Qianlong, 5.35 Short Work.

DOUBLE: Gavota and Happily.