Unbeaten and potentially of the highest class, Lord Lloyd-Webber's So Mi Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) takes to York on Wednesday to advance her reputation further in the G3 Tattersalls Musidora S. As far as form goes, the homebred could not have enjoyed a better run to this Oaks trial, with the two Hannon colts who finished behind her in Epsom's Investec Derby Trial last time Apr. 20, Humphrey Bogart (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}) and Viren's Army (Twirling Candy), winning Saturday's Listed Lingfield Derby Trial and the Listed Dee S. at Chester on Friday, respectively. “She's done everything right,” commented trainer John Gosden, who is looking for a fourth win in the last six runnings. “She's a very business-like filly, but she wasn't in love with the ground at Epsom. She's a better horse on better ground, which she should get at York.”
While So Mi Dar is still about potential over black-type substance, Classic form is brought to bear by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's Fireglow (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), who was an eye-catcher when staying-on strongly to be fourth in the G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket 10 days ago. It might be that she is too strong at this point for the likes of Michael Tabor's Best In the World (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a full-sister to Found (Ire) who was only fourth on her return in Navan's Listed Salsabil S. over this trip Apr. 17. The latter's trainer, Aidan O'Brien, is expecting better from the daughter of Red Evie (Ire) (Intikhab). “She seemed a bit disappointing in the Salsabil at Navan last time, but Ryan [Moore] was very happy with her,” he explained. “It was a bit of a mess of a race, they only hacked and then sprinted. She should be able to step up from that.”
Godolphin's Promising Run (Hard Spun) won last year's G2 Rockfel S. like a high-class filly over seven furlongs at Newmarket in September before being left behind by Polar River (Congrats) when second to the Meydan Carnival's sensation in both the Jan. 14 UAE 1000 Guineas Trial and the main event itself Feb. 11. She is burdened with four pounds extra here, but should appreciate the return to turf.
“Promising Run has been in good form since coming back from Dubai, and I have been pleased with her work,” trainer Saeed bin Suroor said. “The step up in distance will suit her and I am looking forward to seeing a good run.”
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