Chevelely Park Stakes

what's the ground going to be like?

If it's on the fast side of good I'll be all over Lumiere like a sore rash.

No idea actually, will have a look later.

All I know is that Illuminate has won her 3 races so far on good to firm ground and Hannon had this to say, "She's always been a pleasure to have around and has answered every question. She's not a complicated ride in any way and Zoffany's progeny appear to go well on softer ground, so rain would not be a concern."

Yes I'm sure she's very solid but she just doesn't blow me away, neither does Besharah, probably I'm looking for something a bit more sexy which is where the Johnston horse comes in.

Then again she could just be a bridle horse.

Totally agree but same could be said for every horse mentioned above re. being blown away. I was expecting much more from Lumiere last time out and there's also a chance she could run in the Rockfel Stakes on Friday instead.

Was Illuminate in season in her last race?

There was some suggestion that Illuminate had been coming into season when she ran last time.  I can't find any direct quotes - I think it was a comment made on one of the TV channels.

It's probably best to judge Illuminate on her performance in the Albany at Ascot. Hannon could barely contain his excitement when interviewed after the race.

Illuminate at Ascot

http://www.skysports.com/racing/results/full-result/677722/ascot/19-06-2015/albany-stakes

Yes, Illuminate was impressive at Ascot, though Hannon has admitted that they went too fast up front and so his filly was helped by the fact that they were coming back to her in the closing stages.  She was probably a little flattered at Ascot and then a little below her best at Newmarket.  She's been in very good form at home and is the one they all have to beat.  It will be interesting to see which race Mark Johnston chooses for Lumiere (we'll find out tomorrow morning).

The Newmarket race was slowly run so I'd say it was just the way the race panned out that the margins were compressed, rather than Illuminate being below par.

I definitely read that somewhere about Hannon mentioning Illuminate being in season. I'm surprised she isn't favourite for this race in all honesty.

It must be significant that Aiden O Brien is dropping back Alice Springs to six furlongs and is his only runner. However it was a bit sad to watch on the video on it's first run, this lovely looking filly on it's first run power clear of her rivals with this lovely looking white blaze across it's chestnut face, and then contrast that with it's last run, (admittedly a step up on form) where it's wearing a hood and sweating.

It looks like a completely different animal, and you wonder if in some way it's gone backwards.

Nevertheless it's a pretty stiff six for two year olds so the fact Alice Springs gets seven furlongs will be a bonus. I also think this Bear cheek is a strong runner, I think the track will bring out the best in her.

If I had to choose I'd go with Lumiere/Alice springs/Bear cheek against the field, some might find that strange I agree, just don't fancy Besharah or the Hannon runner.

I'm feeling increasingly confident about the chances of Illuminate.  There will be no more rain before Saturday's race, so the ground should be perfect good ground by Saturday afternoon, hopefully on the faster side of good.  The filly has reportedly done very well over the summer.

Will back Beshara.

I agree with jamesp about Illuminate's chances here. I thought her Albany form would've been overtaken by now but have still not seen anything better. She sets a decent standard and while it's a beatable level I don't see anything in this field that looks obviously capable of better. Besharah may have improved a bit since the Albany, putting her a bit closer to Illuminate since then, but she's had a busy time of things and I'd be more confident of Illuminate running her race, possibly even improving again after being given time. I'd have her as fav so I'm backing her.

Annoyed that I spread my stake on Lumiere with bits on Alice Springs and Bear Cheek. Betting with more confidence would have gone all in on Lumiere although arguably she was lucky to hold on.

No excuses for Illuminate there and an early comparison of the times suggests she ran exactly to her Royal Ascot form, with Lumiere obviously improving. As to which horse I'd fancy over the mile I'd stick with the winner. I'd put that as the best fillies form I've seen so far but it still doesn't excite me enough to want to step in for an ante post bet.

wd lewisham ranger.  I'm sure that the first three have all improved in the last few months, but Lumiere (the most lightly raced) has certainly improved the most.  More needed for the Guineas, and she will need to learn to settle better if she's to be effective over longer trips.

Ty James, although I've since given most of it back on random races like the Cambridgeshire

Quite fancy Coolmore (the filly that is) to get off the mark tomorrow at the Curragh.

Good call lewisham ranger, real confidence borne out.

cheers pal.

I'll be a bit surprised if Coolmore manages to reverse placings with Anamba tomorrow.  Michael Halford rates his filly highly and reported that she got tired in the soft ground at Leopardstown (where she just held on to beat the more experienced Coolmore).  The better ground will suit both fillies, but I don't see why Anamba shouldn't confirm her superiority over Coolmore.  Michael Halford's other two-year-old winners this season (Al Qahwa, Vitello, Rayisa, Tonkinese, Reddot Roman) all needed a run or two before scoring, but Anamba was smart enough to win on debut.  How High The Moon, the likely favourite, will be a tough nut to crack but the shorter trip won't necessarily suit her.

After rating the whole card I've had to downgrade the Cheveley Park by a couple of pounds from my preliminary rating and I just think it was a case of Lumiere being the best on the day. I have nothing really between the first three on their best form and think another day could produce a different result. I couldn't guess which will make the better 3yo but none appeal to me for an ante post Guineas bet.

At one point, I thought Illuminate was going to fly by as she appeared to be travelling best in the race and know the turn of foot she possesses. After watching the race a few times now, the more impressive Lumiere's grit and determination is. Out of the top 3, I would have the winner down as the most likely to stay the mile.

Got burnt by Lumiere in the Lowther and she comes back to haunt me today, such is life! Good call lewisham ranger, enjoy your winnings! For what it's worth, I am siding with Coolmore tomorrow as well!

Yeah cheers Paterson mate. Even blind squirrels can find nuts sometimes.

I must admit reviewing that race at Leopardstown I rather agree with James; this Anamba showed a good turn of foot then got stuck in the ground, she might be very classy indeed.

As I'm fairly confident that Coolmore has the other O'Brien fillies covered (although Ryan rarely picks the wrong one, I must admit) I think the safest strategy is to back them both.

I can definitely see where you're both coming from, if siding with Anamba you have the added bonus of Buick taking the ride.

Rather interesting race in the 3.55 Curragh, just as you mentioned Moore rarely picking the wrong one. On paper I would have had Unicorn down as the number one but he knows better than me I suppose haha!

Yes unlike most jockeys he's a very good judge

Stellar Mass would be my tentative each-way selection, the better pace should suit him, and he was only beaten a nostril by the likely favourite last time anyway. All finished in a heap though so you worry about the strength of that form.

Coolmore finally got it done. Nice one Paterson mate. Shame I once again split my steaks, if only I had more faith in my judgement

Anamba though ran very well, still looked green I think. Tough to back up your first race when it was only two weeks ago.