Having proven herself at the top level on more than one occasion, Godolphin's Endless Time (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) slips back in class for Thursday's G3 Markel Insurance Lillie Langtry Fillies' S. at Goodwood with the rain-softened turf holding no fears. It was riding testing when she won the G2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock last July prior to running second in the G1 Prix Vermeille at Chantilly in September and in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud the following month and it would have been too quick at Royal Ascot as she trailed in 10th in the June 22 G1 Gold Cup. “She didn't see out the two and a half miles in the Gold Cup and the drop back in trip is going to suit,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “She has won at Goodwood before and, if she turns up on her A game, she is going to be very competitive.”
Aidan O'Brien saddles the Listed Stanerra S. winner Wild Irish Rose (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and despite needing to improve on the form of that July 20 14-furlong contest at Leopardstown, she could be capable of more. “Wild Irish Rose is a filly that is progressing,” he commented. “Obviously this is a step up in grade, but we are looking forward to seeing her run. She won nicely the last day, even though she didn't win by very far. She tries very hard, but doesn't like getting hit with the stick. This was new territory last time, but we always thought she would stay this trip.”
Impressive on her Doncaster debut and sole juvenile outing last August, Al Shaqab Racing's Aljezeera (GB) (Frankel {GB}) ran third on her return in the Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S. over 10 furlongs at Newbury on May 20 and connections are in the dark as to her ability to stay this far. “Aljezeera is an interesting filly. She looks like a filly that stays well, but Luca feels she is still yet to come to herself as sometimes her homework is not as good as he would like,” explained racing manager Harry Herbert. “We want to give her a go over this trip and Luca's are running well. The race is the right sort of race for her, but she just keeps giving different messages at home. Hopefully she will run well, but we are on a bit of a fact-finding mission.”
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