Stelle Bellissima a Lillie Langtry beauty

Stella Bellissima created a huge impression when scoring on debut and can take the step up into Group company in her stride in the Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood today (3.45). Back the filly at 5/1 now with Coral.

The John Gosden trained filly showed distinct signs of greenness when winning over 1m 4f at Newbury, where she found herself at the rear of the field with plenty to do after being slowly away.

However, when the penny finally did drop there was lots to like about the way Stella Bellissima stayed on strongly from the three furlong marker to take up the running inside the las and win going away by 1 1/2 lengths from Gwafa.

It was a performance which suggested that the beautifully bred daughter of Sea The Stars would be up to making an impact at this level, and it’s interesting that her handler has no qualms in pitching her into into Group 3 company on just her second start.

Gosden also has a good form line through Talent on which to judge Stella Bellissima’s ability, as he saddled the first two home in the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock in which the Ralph Beckett trained filly finished a 4 3/4 length third.

That suggests that Stella Bellissima is held in high regard by the Gosden team, and with the prospect of plenty improvement to come, she looks decent value to land the spoils over a trip which should suit.

Talent is undoubtedly a big player given that she is a classic winner having won last year’s Investec Oaks, and went on to finish a fine runner-up to Leading Light in the St Leger.

That is very strong form, but the four-year-old has failed to match that level in her last three starts and there has to be question marks as to whether Talent is as good as she was.

Irish raider Missunited is sure to be popular after her excellent third in the Ascot Gold Cup, but I am not convinced that the quick ground will play to the strengths of the Michael Winter trained filly.

The seven-year-old is a real tough cookie who looks sure to give it her best shot, but I have a feeling that Missunited may be vulnerable to an improver like Stella Bellissima.