Dressed to Thrill

DRESSED TO THRILL 
In a year in which Luca Cumani's fortunes have seen a revival, Silk Sari (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) could put a cap on things in today's G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S. at Ascot. Bounding to the fore with an authoritative six-length score in Doncaster's G2 Park Hill S. over an extended 14-furlong trip last time Sept. 11, Michael Watt's 4-year-old reverts to a mile and a half here but looked to possess an abundance of natural speed on that occasion. Her trainer is looking for signs that she will handle this ground from her relatives. “Dalakhani's usually handle soft ground and Gossamer won an Irish 1000 Guineas on soft ground,” he told PA Sport. “However, Barathea didn't like it. When it goes to extremities, who knows? Fillies can improve a lot in the autumn and she looks in good shape.” 

Last year's winner Seal of Approval (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) has only made the frame on one of her next four starts and has 7 1/2 lengths to find with Silk Sari on her latest effort when fourth in the Park Hill, but she has been geared towards this repeat and has similar conditions to 12 months ago. “I am very happy with Seal of Approval and she should handle the conditions at Ascot, no problem,” trainer James Fanshawe told PA Sport. 

Godolphin are represented by a pair of live contenders in Tasaday (Nayef) and Albasharah (Arch), with the former already proven at this level having been third in last year's G1 Prix Vermeille and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and second in the G1 Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp. Third and best of the older brigade behind the 3-year-olds Tapestry (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Taghrooda (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks at York Aug. 21, the consistent grey was runner-up in Newbury's G3 Arc Trial over 11 furlongs last time Sept. 20. Albasharah, who had come off a break to be second to the subsequent G1 Prix de l'Opera third Hadaatha (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in the Listed John Musker Fillies' S. over 10 furlongs at Yarmouth Sept. 17, impressed when taking last Saturday's Listed Severals S. over that trip here and it is significant that she is pitched in again so soon. “Tasaday is doing well and soft going will suit her, as she loves some cut in the ground,” their trainer Saeed bin Suroor commented. “She heads to Ascot in good form and is ready to go. Albasharah won well in listed company last time. She came out of that race very well and we wanted to give her a chance in a Group 1 race. She will be fine with the return to a mile and a half and has won on soft ground before.” 

Aidan O'Brien relies on last year's G1 Irish Oaks winner Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), who was 15th in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp 13 days ago having been second in The Curragh's G2 Blandford S. over 10 furlongs Sept. 14.