Upgraded to Group 2 status this year, Newmarket's Charm Spirit Dahlia S. has been rewarded with the presence of some bright prospects for the year ahead, including Godolphin's Fintry (Ire) (Shamardal). Successful in the G2 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly in June, the bay came off a break to win Sandown's G3 Atalanta S. in August before filling third spot in the G1 Sun Chariot S. at this venue in October. Godolphin's Lisa-Jane Graffard commented, “Fintry is in great form and has wintered really well. Andre Fabre is confident that she will stay a mile and a quarter in the future, so nine furlongs should be no problem for her. It is a starting point for her campaign and will help us see where to go with her afterwards.”
Sir Michael Stoute has saddled five winners of this race since 2007 and has opted to send Khalid Abdullah's Bragging (Exchange Rate) up the road to represent Freemason Lodge this time. Upped from handicaps to take part in Doncaster's G3 Sceptre S. in September, the 4-year-old was second on that occasion and tackles an extra quarter mile on this comeback.
“Bragging improved through the ranks last year, winning a nice handicap at York before running really well in the Sceptre S.,” the owner-breeder's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe told PA Sport. “She has done everything in a straightforward manner coming into the race. She was already quite a big scopey filly and she gave us the impression last year that a mile and a quarter would be in reach.”
Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's G1 Moyglare Stud S. and G1 Coronation S. winner Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) has never been entirely happy on this terrain, and it was on this card 12 months ago that she ran a career low when seventh in the G1 1000 Guineas. Last seen finishing runner-up in the G1 Matron S. over a mile at Leopardstown in September, she will strip fitter for the outing, according to trainer Clive Brittain.
“I am happy the owners have decided to go here, as she is in good form,” he told PA Sport. “We made the mistake last year of not giving her a race before the Guineas. She was fit, but a bit flat. She then proved at Ascot that she could have won the Guineas. Her main target is to try and win at Royal Ascot for a third year and I am taking no chances with her–from past experience she has shown she will be better for having a race.”
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