Aljazzi The One To Aim At

Boasting the best recent form in Saturday's G3 Betbright Casino Atalanta S. at Sandown, Aljazzi (GB) (Shamardal) bids to prove her much-improved effort when runner-up in the G2 Duke of Cambridge S. was no fluke. Having split the classy French duo Qemah (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Usherette (Ire) (Shamardal) when 40-1 in that June 21 Royal Ascot contest, Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar's homebred has been laid out for this by trainer Marco Botti. “Obviously, Ascot was her best performance to date and it was on fast ground. She had a nice break since and seems in great form,” he explained. “We've been waiting for this race for a while. They've had a few showers at Sandown, but the ground shouldn't be any worse than good. I couldn't be happier with her condition and we hope for the best.”

Finishing strongly when runner-up to the Group 1 filly Rain Goddess (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in Sunday's G3 Snow Fairy Fillies S. over nine furlongs at The Curragh, it is interesting that Cheveley Park Stud's Intimation (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is brought back into action so quickly by Sir Michael Stoute. He has saddled a record six winners in this, with the latest being the 2013 dead-heater Integral (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) also in these silks. As a half-sister to Mutakayyef (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), Intimation–who also won the Listed Garnet S. over this distance at Naas in October–is probably versatile regarding trip. “She was unlucky last week, but she's in good form,” commented the stud's managing director Chris Richardson. “I know it's a quick run back, but she came out of the race well and she's improved from last year. We'll see what happens.”

John Gosden trained last year's winner Persuasive (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) for Cheveley Park and this time has a trio headed by Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah's Nathra (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}). Third to Massaat (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the seven-furlong G3 Hungerford S. at Newbury a fortnight ago, last year's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up has a class edge if able to reproduce her best. “She's not got a bad draw [in six], she's been working well and has a good chance,” the owner's racing manager Bruce Raymond said. “Stepping back up to a mile will suit her. It looked as though she wanted a mile on her last start.”