Ballet Slippers can step up and show her class at Ascot
AIDAN O’Brien’s Ballet Slippers looks the star attraction at Ascot on Friday and is expected to prove a class apart in the Wesco Anixter EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.
The daughter of Dubawi and seven-time Group One winner Magical made a pleasing enough debut when third behind ultra-impressive scorer Red Letter at the Curragh.
She showed the benefit of that experience when racing more prominently at the same track last month, but was just edged out late on by another immaculately-bred filly in Falling Snow.
Ballet Slippers appears the type to keep getting better with each run and she would be most unfortunate to meet anything of a similar calibre to her previous conquerors here.
Ballydoyle can also take home the Charbonnel Et Walker British EBF Maiden Stakes via Isambard Brunel.
A son of Justify, he made his first start in a Newbury maiden last month, coming home fifth over a mile when clearly in need of the experience. He dropped away in the closing stages that day, so perhaps it makes sense to switch down to seven furlongs here.
Diego Ventura began his career in Ireland with Gavin Cromwell and caused a huge upset when scoring at Naas first time out.
Magnum Force dead-heated for second that day and has since franked the form by landing a Cork maiden before going close in a York Listed event.
Wathnan Racing swooped to snap up Diego Ventura and he will now represent Hamad Al Jehani’s yard in the Juddmonte British EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.
Waleefy, who has already obliged at Newmarket and Doncaster this term, put in another fine effort when second to Lethal Levi here last month and has obvious appeal in the Ascot Iron Stand Membership Classified Stakes.
Awaal was sent off favourite for the Balmoral Handicap on British Champions Day last October but failed to sparkle. However, he made an encouraging return to action in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket in mid-July and looks to be on a nice mark heading into the National
Racehorse Week Handicap. Simon and Ed Crisford’s stable is in great form and this lightly-raced five-yearold could be well set for a strong autumn campaign.
At Haydock, Stormy Impact can recoup recent losses by getting off the mark in the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.
Richard Fahey’s filly failed to build on a promising debut second at York, where she was five lengths clear of the third, when beaten at odds-on by Lothlorien at Beverley.
However, things didn’t quite go her way on that occasion, yet she was still a fair way in front of the rest of the field again.
Fine Margin can make it a hattrick of successful UK raids by taking Bangor’s Jones Bros Supporting CSRC Novices’ Hurdle for Willie and Patrick Mullins.
The seven-year-old has scored with the minimum of fuss at Fontwell and Worcester and can overcome a double penalty.
Vecu can kick things off at Kempton’s evening meeting by claiming victory in the Racing TV/British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes. His opening neck second to Bay
City Roller at Sandown looks good form after that winner followed up at Chelmsford and the Newmarket maiden Vecu was subsequently fourth in may prove to be above average.
■Selections Ascot:
1.50 Little Empire, 2.25 Isambard Brunel, 3.00 BALLET SLIPPERS (NAP), 3.35 Diego Ventura, 4.10 Waleefy, 4.45 Awaal, 5.20 Granger Bay.
1.35 Fine Margin, 2.10 Eagle’s Realm, 2.45 Jacobs Acre, 3.20 Bella Bliss, 3.55 Restandbethankful, 4.30 Finisk River, 5.05 Got Grey, 5.35 Huit Reflets.
3.15 Flash The Cash, 3.50 Mint Man, 4.25 Red Scarlet, 5.00 The Marty Party, 5.30 Allenwood, 6.05 Squire Danagher, 6.40 Explorers Way, 7.10 Red Secret.
1.25 Papagei, 2.00 Arecibo, 2.35 Stormy Impact, 3.10 Blessed Star, 3.45 Frankelian, 4.20 Boardman, 4.55 Noisy Music.
5.55 Vecu, 6.30 Afentiko, 7.00 Green Storm, 7.30 She’s A Warrior, 8.00 Machete Beach, 8.30 Outgun, 9.00 Beyond Equal.
4.00 Garnacho, 4.35 Presenting Lad, 5.10 Pray Tell, 5.40 Turkey And Ham, 6.15 El Champo, 6.50 Charlie Luciano, 7.20 Artic Lane.