Friday's G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at Newmarket, formerly known as the Cherry Hinton S., comes at a time when the juveniles are still in a state of flux with some on the way up crossing those coming down.
Having gone so close on only her second start in the G3 Albany S., Qatar Racing's Bletchley (GB) (Makfi {GB}) surely fits into the first category as she bids to justify favouritism in this ideal next stepping stone for the Royal Ascot runners. Just a short head away from already being a pattern-race winner as she just failed to catch Brave Anna (War Front) in that June 17 contest at the Royal meeting, she is one of two to represent her owners alongside the June 9 Yarmouth maiden scorer Soul Silver (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}).
“Bletchley must have a big chance, because she looked unlucky at Ascot,” the owners's racing manager David Redvers said. “Our only concern would be if the ground went very quick but it shouldn't do, it should be perfect ground. We're really looking forward to seeing how she gets on.”
Bletchley's main rival on form is 'TDN Rising Star' Roly Poly (War Front) from Aidan O'Brien's stable successful in 2007 with You'resothrilling and she gets the faster ground she needs after toughing it out to win the G3 Grangecon Stud S. from the re-opposing Seafront (GB) (Foxwedge {Aus}) on softer-than-ideal conditions at The Curragh June 26.
Man-of-the-moment Charlie Appleby saddles Nasimi (GB) (Shamardal), a daughter of the 2011 winner of this prize, Gamilati (GB) (Bernardini), who beat the subsequent Listed Empress S. winner Nations Alexander (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) on her racecourse bow over this trip at Haydock May 26.
“She came out of her debut very well indeed and we were going to run her in a Listed race at Newmarket's last meeting, but we took her out because of the ground,” he explained. “I know she handled soft on her debut but, if we didn't have to, I wasn't keen on taking on a better class of filly on it. She's in good order and it was pleasing to see her form backed up by the second, who came out and won the Listed race she was going to run in. Her pedigree is nice and she's very like her mum, she won't be the biggest but she must be a live contender.”
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