Dramatic Queen caught the eye when winning at York on her penultimate start and can go in again in the 1m 6f Group 2 Lillie Langtry Stakes for fillies and mares at Glorious Goodwood on Saturday (15:00).
Trained by William Haggas, the four-year-old daughter of Kitten’s Joy finished last season off with consecutive wins on the all-weather.
In the last of those at Lingfield, she ran on strongly to land a Listed 1m 5f contest by a cosy length from Alwaysandforever.
Although Dramatic Queen shaped as if in need of the run when down in trip on reappearance at Longchamp, 1m 2f was just too sharp for her.
She relished going back up in distance in the Group 3 Bronte Cup on the Knavesmire, however.
After tracking the leaders and making headway three out, Dramatic Queen was ridden to challenge before the final furlong. She then kept on best for half-a-length victory over Enbihaar, who she now meets on 3lb better terms.
The drop back in trip for the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock last time out was against Dramatic Queen.
Her re-opposing rival Enbihaar just held her a neck over 1m 4f, but this longer distance is an obvious plus.
As bookmakers BetVictor make the pair 11/4 joint-favourites, the Lillie Langtry Stakes terms favour Dramatic Queen. She’s taken to confirm York form and reverse the Lancashire Oaks result with Enbihaar.
James Doyle, who has partnered Dramatic Queen to three of her four career victories, is back in the saddle. That suggests connections mean business and a bold bid to go one better looks assured.
Enbihaar worth taking on in Lillie Langtry Stakes
The aforementioned Enbihaar proved a neck too good for Dramatic Queen last time out, but concedes weight all-round.
Trained by the red-hot John Gosden, this Hamdam Al Maktoum owned Redoute’s Choice filly is a course winner.
That victory came in a Listed affair over 1m 4f on reappearance when making most. Enbihaar asserted well when pressed by a rival two out and scored by 1 3/4 lengths.
Her stamina seemed stretched in the Bronte Cup at York when up to this distance as she couldn’t find any extra when headed with 75 yards left.
Staying 1m 6f is doubtful as Enbihaar is zero from two over the trip, having finished fourth to Ghostwatch in a Listed race at Ascot towards the end of last season.
As mentioned above, she’s also now 3lb worse off at the weights with Dramatic Queen.
Although Enbihaar reversed the form over a shorter distance in the Lancashire Oaks last time out, that was a win in the grade which puts her at a further disadvantage.
Despite the stable’s sensational form, this is one filly who could be worth opposing off unfavourable terms. Our Lillie Langtry Stakes preview advises punters to take Enbihaar on.
Manuela De Vega tries trip for first time
Another filly that must prove her stamina is Manuel De Vega.
Trained by Ralph Beckett, the three-year-old comes out top on adjusted ratings as her official mark is the same as Enbihaar’s but she gets a whole stone in weight-for-age and penalties.
After winning both her juvenile starts, she was a fine runner-up to Mehdaayih in the Cheshire Oaks over an extended 1m 3f on reappearance.
Manuela De Vega was then a 2 1/2 length fourth when short of room at a key stage in the Epsom Oaks.
She was a keeping on fifth to Star Catcher in the Irish equivalent at The Curragh last time out.
There’s the impression that further may suit Manuela De Vega and these are very favourable terms.
If she does get the trip, then odds of 4/1 with Unibet look decent. Punters are gambling on Manuela De Vega getting home in the Lillie Langtry Stakes.
Last year’s winner Pilaster is back to defend her crown but hasn’t scored since.
The Roger Varian trained four-year-old daughter of Nathaniel was a progressive filly who completed a hat-trick in this 12 months ago.
Pilaster was then a half-a-length third on the Group 2 Park Hill at Doncaster before coming eighth to Magical down in trip on British Champions Day.
She’s got plenty to find on this season’s form – 4 1 /2 lengths on Dramatic Queen from York.
Like Enbihaar, Pilaster may be one to avoid despite odds of 6/1 with 888Sport. She doesn’t get the weight-for-age like when winning the Lillie Langtry Stakes last year by a short-head.
More to come from South Sea Pearl
Aidan O’Brien saddles three in search of the spoils. Of the Ballydoyle trio, Peach Tree and South Sea Pearl are closely matched on ratings with preference for the latter.
Although South Sea Pearl was beaten 1 3/4 lengths by Peach Tree in a Group 3 on her penultimate start, that doesn’t tell the whole story. She was short of room at a vital stage, but still stayed on well.
It was a performance that can be upgraded, and South Sea Pearl won next time out in a Listed contest also over this trip at Leopardstown nine days ago.
Ryan Moore rode her to lead a furlong from home and she stayed on well for a comfortable three-length success.
After just five career runs, South Sea Pearl is still unexposed – especially against the older fillies and mares.
There looks to be plenty more to come from her and O’Brien stable jockey Moore is on board again.
At 10/1 with Boylesports, South Sea Pearl could improve again and have a hand in the Lillie Langtry Stakes finish despite only seven going to post.
Provided this doesn’t come too soon off the back of her victory, she appeals more than Peach Tree.
