The listed Pretty Polly Stakes winner and Dubawi's unbeaten daughter Of Dar Re Mi  has far less experience under her belt than some of her rivals but she shouldn’t be dismissed. She is a sister to the very talented So Mi Dar, who herself showed plenty of improvement as a three-year-old. Also, she is trained by John Gosden, who won this race last year with Enable.

 

Aidan O'Brien Magic Wand, who was an impressive winner of the Cheshire Oaks last time, a route to Epsom that was taken by Enable last year. She hadn't shown too much in her two starts prior to that, but the fact she was the choice of Ryan Moore on the Roodee suggested she was highly thought of, and whilst she will need another good deal of improvement to figure here, she's a filly on the up and is respected. Bye Bye Baby is an interesting inclusion, having stepped up on her previous form when taking a Group 3 contest at the Curragh last time. She's open to further improvement, though that success came on heavy.

 

Together Forever let down Rick Astley fans when only seventh in this race in 2015, but her full-sister, Forever Together, is not without claims if attempting to better that result here. She looked unlucky not to finish closer when second to Magic Wand at Chester (hampered on the home turn and conceded first run) and is open to improvement herself, though she could well head for calmer waters than this, with several entries coming up.

 

Charlie Appleby's Wild Illusion, is the current second favourite for the race. A Group 1 winner in the Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly last season, she shaped encouragingly considering she was thrown into the deep end last time, and is likely to have a big say here, with the step up to a mile and a half expected to suit on breeding.

 

William Haggas won this race in 2011 with Dancing Rain, and he will be hoping to repeat the feat with Sea of Class, another unexposed sort who looked smart when taking a listed contest at Newbury last time. A daughter of Sea The Stars, she's only had two runs under her belt, but is bred to stay the trip, and connections may be tempted to let her take her chance. Perfect Clarity is another British-trained filly to note for the Clive Cox yard, having won the Lingfield trial in decisive fashion last time. The form of that win isn't close to an Oaks-winning standard, but she gave the impression that she could have stacks more improvement in her yet and, as such, deserves her place.

 

Magic Wand

 

 

Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretaristworld.com