HENRY CECIL hit the post with Midday in the Investec Oaks last week, but Apple Charlotte can book her ticket for an Oaks of a different kind at Newbury.
The Warren Place maestro has always excelled with his fillies and has a Transatlantic masterplan in mind with this unbeaten runner.
A victory here would seal the daughter of Royal Applause’s place in the American Oaks at Hollywood Park on July 5 – an unusual target for someone so enriched in British racing.
The form of her latest win in the Listed Swettenham Stud Fillies’ Trial was given a nice boost in the Oaks as the runner-up, Richard Hannon’s The Miniver Rose, defied her 33-1 starting price to finish a respectable fifth.
She will not have it all her own way with Beat Seven also in the frame for America, but Apple Charlotte can prove a cut above.
John Gosden can strike in the second division of the Christal Management Maiden Fillies’ Stakes with Kinetix.
Related to the brilliant Kalanisi, the three-year-old made a really encouraging start to her career when beaten only a head in a Nottingham maiden over a mile on firm ground.
She got going all too late on that occasion and with another two furlongs to go this time, she can make amends.
Firebet caught a tartar last time out in Barry Hills’ Infiraad, as he looks a good deal better than a handicapper.
Firebet was with Ann Duffield until recently but has since joined Richard Fahey, a move that is hardly going to hinder his career.
This step back up to a mile should suit and a big performance is expected on his first run for a new yard in the Champagne Lanson Gold Label Vintage 1998 Handicap at Nottingham.
Bryan Smart’s Sanctuary stepped up a good deal on his debut effort to chase home the useful Devotion To Duty last time and should be on the premises in the Mersey Maiden Stakes at Haydock.
Cecil should also be on the mark at Yarmouth with Tomintoul Singer in the Xtrashine Ltd Staff Day Out Maiden Auction Stakes.
The filly went into many notebooks when finishing second on her debut at Leicester and it will be a major shock if she fails to improve on that.
I’m A Legend is the pick in the Lauren Lloyd Beginners’ Chase at Fontwell, while Honour’s Dream is the choice in Uttoxeter’s Mac Walker 65th Birthday Celebrations Novices’ Handicap Chase.
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