Clash Of Classic Fillies At Ascot

The G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S. on Saturday is shaping up to be a cracking contest with two Classic winning 3-year-old fillies likely to head the market. Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) has pleased Ralph Beckett since her controversial victory in the G1 St. Leger at Doncaster last month and the trainer is anticipating a bold show from the progressive filly. “She worked this morning and worked well. I’m very happy with her, so we run,” said Beckett. “We’ve gone for this race rather than the Long Distance Cup as this is against her own sex. I know she’s beaten the colts, but it’s tougher taking on the older colts and geldings, so we’ve plumped for the fillies’ race.” The unexposed Simple Verse is likely to face stiff competition from Hugo Palmer’s teak tough Covert Love (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}), reported fresh and well after her win in the G1 Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp Oct.4. “She’s squealing, she’s ate up all the way and we’re working into running her on Saturday,” said Palmer. “I’ve been bowled over how fresh she’s been since she came back from France. She went over and had what looked to be a tough race but lost only eight kilos in the whole thing, so she’s taken it incredibly well,” added the Newmarket trainer.