Racecards
14:40 York
Betfred Middleton Stakes (Fillies' Group 2) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f 88y
- Going: Good to Firm (Good in Places)
- Surface: Turf
- £120,000 added
- Winner: £68,052
- 2nd: £25,800
- 3rd: £12,912
- 4th: £6,432
- Form 17477-2
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer P A Fahy
- Jockey K J Manning
led, pushed along inside final 3f, headed over 2f out, weakening when slightly hampered 2f out
- Form 1/36153-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer S bin Suroor
- Jockey James Doyle
tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, led 1f out, stayed on well, in command in closing stages
- Form 10282-9
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey R L Moore
unruly and unseated rider prior to start, steadied and slightly hampered start, always well in rear, pushed along and struggling halfway, never a factor
- Form 218112-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey L Dettori
raced keenly, tracked leader, led going well over 2f out, ridden and pressed over 1f out, headed 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd close home
- Form 31261-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer L M Cumani
- Jockey J P Spencer
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, unable to quicken over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, never going pace to reach winner
- Form 2/13604-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer R Varian
- Jockey Andrea Atzeni
took keen hold, held up in 6th, headway on outside well over 1f out, ridden chasing leaders and every chance over 1f out, weakened tamely inside final furlong, eased
- Form 3/11529-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer J R Fanshawe
- Jockey F Tylicki
tracked leading pair on inside, ridden and one pace when not much room on rail over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
Namhroodah (IRE)
230- Form 1-453
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 96
- Trainer J Tate
- Jockey Non Runner
NonRunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Beautiful Romance was an excellent third in the Group 1 British Champion Fillies' and Mares at Ascot with Speedy Boarding well beaten but just in front of her that day was JOURNEY. The latter had won a couple of Listed races previously so it was a huge step-up in class at Ascot and with further progress likely she can gain her first success at Group level. Lady Of Dubai's third place in the Oaks was the obvious highlight of her season though she never quite replicated that form later but Koora didn't run as a juvenile and made rapid strides last season culminating in a Group 3 victory at Newbury in October. The remaining trio have a bit to find.
Formwatch
Ballybacka Queen (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led final 200 yards, soon strongly pressed, headed last 50 yards and no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Altesse (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 4f lst fll stks (1) hvy in Apr.
Beautiful Romance 20-1 (8-12) Held up in mid-division on inside, switched left over 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, soon tracking leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, took 3rd final strides, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Simple Verse (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 fll stks (1) gs in Oct.
Crystal Zvezda 9-2 (9-0) Pulled hard tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, soon eased, last of 9, 27 1/4l behind Usherette (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 2 fll stks (1) gd in May.
Journey 7-1 (8-12) Tracked leader and clear of rest, closed to lead 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on until headed and no extra last 50 yards, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Simple Verse (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 fll stks (1) gs in Oct.
Koora 5-2fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, came centre in straight, switched left to join leaders on inside and went 2nd approaching final 2f, led entering final furlong, stayed on strongly, driven out, won at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct beating Melodious (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Lady Of Dubai 11-1 (9-0) Held up, raced in 7th early, soon 6th, pushed along under 4f out, no impression but kept on final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Ribbons (9-7) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 2 fll stks (1) gd in Sep.
Speedy Boarding 25-1 (8-12) Took keen hold in mid-division, pushed along 4f out, outpaced 3f out, driven and no chance final 2f, 9th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Simple Verse (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 fll stks (1) gs in Oct.
Namhroodah (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Close up, ridden to chase winner 3f out, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 8 1/4l behind Journey (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst fll stks (1) gd in Sep.