The Lark can fly home in Thursday’s Park Hill Stakes
Published:Trainer Michael Bell has been patiently waiting for some ease in the ground for his filly The Lark who finished a good third at Epsom in June. The going was just on the soft side of good that day and she produced a career best effort to finish only four and a half lengths behind Talent.
On her only subsequent outing she ran disappointingly behind Pacific Rim in France but connections blamed the falsely run race. Her dam won over this distance so there should be no concerns regarding her stamina.
The biggest threat could come from Seal Of Approval who is seeking a fourth successive victory for James Fanshawe. She battled on well to win a listed race at Newbury last time and has the assistance of Hayley Turner in the saddle.
Annecdote and Winning Express renew rivalry in the Group 3 Sceptre Stakes after battling out the finish in the Oak Tree Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. Annecdote came out on top by three-quarters of a length on that occasion but is now 3lbs worse off at the weights.
Maureen has been flying high this season having taken part in both the English and Irish Guineas plus the Coronation Stakes. She could appreciate the drop back to Group 3 company and proved that she can handle a softer surface when winning at Newbury in April.
The richest race on the card is the £300,000 Weatherby’s Insurance Stakes at 2.40. Coulsty will be a popular choice after finishing strongly to take second at York last month whilst Ben Hall would probably be given more to do if this were a handicap.
Art Official made the running to score at Goodwood over seven furlongs last time whilst Tanzeel and Mawfoor are capable of showing further improvement. The opening nursery at 1.40 could go the way of the Charlie Hills-trained Gown who defeated a useful sort in Lilyfire at Sandown last time.
Selections: 1.40 Gown, 2.10 Winning Express, 2.40 Coulsty (nb), 3.15 The Lark (NAP), 3.50 Alpine Retreat, 4.25 If So
