Charm Offensive

From 2009 to 2013, Godolphin dominated Newmarket's G3 german-thoroughbred.com Sweet Solera S. and the operation have a fascinating contender for the latest edition on Saturday in Poetic Charm (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Off the mark on debut in a course-and-distance maiden on July 15, the half-sister to Teofilo (Ire) has to improve against some experienced rivals, but trainer Charlie Appleby is hoping she can make the step up. “Poetic Charm came out of her debut well and the form of that race looks strong,” he said. “We have a couple of drying days in Newmarket, so I am anticipating that the ground will not be too soft on Saturday. I am hopeful that she can take the next step up in grade.”

Third behind Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Nyaleti (Ire) (Arch) in the six-furlong G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. here on July 14, Mamba Noire (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) returns with the best form in the book and trainer Ken Condon is confident she will be hard to beat. “Our filly will be stepping up to seven furlongs on Saturday, but the way she's finished her last two races is very encouraging,” he commented. “If there's a bit of ease in the ground I think that would suit her. Nyaleti has obviously come out and won very well and I know the boys at Ballydoyle hold Clemmie in very high regard. She looks a Classic filly in the making.”

Another with winning form here is Cheveley Park Stud's Dance Diva (GB) (Mayson {GB}), who followed a success in the six-furlong Listed Empress Fillies' S. at the start of last month with a second to Nyaleti in Ascot's G3 Princess Margaret S. on July 29. The owners also have the July 28 Thirsk novice scorer Juliet Capulet (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and the stud's managing director Chris Richardson said, “Dance Diva was still a little bit green at Ascot. She didn't want to come under the arch and was a little bit edgy and on her toes in the parade ring beforehand. She's obviously a good filly and a very good filly beat her on the day. We think the penny is dropping with her and the way she finished at Ascot would suggest stepping up to seven furlongs will suit.” Richardson added of the stable's other runner, “Juliet Capulet is a progressive filly and John [Gosden] is very sweet on her. We bought her to run in races like this and it will be interesting to see how she performs.”

In a strong-looking renewal, Team Valor's recent purchase Capla Temptress (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) is unbeaten and an unknown quantity whose trainer Marco Botti holds in high regard. “This is a step up in class, obviously, but she was quite impressive the other day and after two runs and two wins she's entitled to take her chance,” he said. “I don't think she's ground-dependent, but being by Lope de Vega, she probably handles cut in the ground better than others.” Richard Hannon saddles Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Listed Star S. winner Tajaanus (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}) and Al Shaqab Racing's Newbury maiden winner Mayyasah (More Than Ready). Harry Herbert, racing manager for Al Shaqab Racing, said, “Richard is quite buzzed up about her. She did a piece of work this week that left everyone quite excited.”