Listed races for fillies at Ascot and York

Both Ascot and York start their big July meetings today and although tomorrow is the big day with the King George at Ascot and the GroupTwo York Stakes, today´s cards are also interesting. Main event at Ascot is the listed mile race for fillies at 16.20 CET with 8 runners, 5 of them 3y0´s. However the oldest runner, 5yo Alsace Lorraine (James Fanshawe/ Jamie Spencer) is the likely favourite here after running well at the Royal meeting.

The best of the 3yo´s could be Chachamaidee (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally), who had no chance in a Group One last time but should be more at home in this class, and I´m a Dreamer (David Simcock/ Hayley Turner); the latter is very much an unknown quantity, she is unbeaten in 3 starts at a much lower level and takes a huge leap in class here, but may well be up this grade.

York races this evening, and their main feature is also a listed race for fillies, this time over 10 furlongs at 20.30. Once again the oldest runner looks the one to beat - Les Fazzani (Kevin Ryan/ Paul Hanagan). She is a most consistent mare and the more rain that falls the better. Nouriya (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) is a possible improver, but the stable is not in great form, while Bikini Babe (Mark Johnston/ Jo Fanning) and Acquainted (Barry Hills/ Robert Winston) were both beaten out of sight in Royal Ascot´s Coronation Stakes (Group One). Off Chance (Tim Easterby/ Duran Fentiman) won a mile listed race last time and looks the one for the forecast.

Back at Ascot, we also like Newsells Park´s Keenes Day (Johnston/ Greg Fairley) in the 2 mile handicap at 16.55, although Desert Recluse (Pat Eddery/ Kieren Fox), the only 3yo in the field, looks very dangerous off his low weight with a good claimer on board.

At Thirsk, Sir Mark Prescott and Seb Sanders could land a double with Soie de Chine in the 2yo fillies maiden at 15.35 and Fork Lightning in the 7 furlongs maiden at 16.10, both well-bred runners who can be expected to improve significantly on their last form, while at Newmarket´s evening meeting Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes are the team to follow.

The most interesting runner at Wexford´s evening meeting in Ireland is Key Secure (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) in the 11 furlong maiden at 20.35. She is far from being one of the stable stars, but is extremely well-bred and winning here would certainly improve her paddock value.