Sun Chariot preview: Dance to Burke's tune

The Sun Chariot Stakes has traditionally featured a strong representation from France; Rod Collet recorded a hat-trick of wins between 2009 and 2011 with his star mare Sahpresa, Francois Doumen trained 2012 winner Siyouma, while Andre Fabre saddled Esoterique to win in 2015.

It’s perhaps no surprise, as the only other European Group 1s over a mile for older fillies and mares at this time of year (mid-August to mid-October) are the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown and the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp – both races should prove key to this year’s Sun Chariot, though there is only one challenger from across the Channel.

French number one

Saturday’s renewal sees weight-adjusted ratings topped by recent Moulin runner-up Wind Chimes. She looked unlucky when a close third to Teppal in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp in May, finishing best from a poor draw, and duly showed a good turn of foot when winning the Group 3 Prix de Lieurey at Deauville (by three and a half lengths from Poetic Charm, despite missing the break) in August. She bettered that form significantly when a head second to Recoletos in the Moulin last time, only overhauled close home, faring easily the best of the two fillies in the line-up.

#RUKMomentOfTheDay: Recoletos boosts Alpha Centauri’s form even further and provides Olivier Peslier with his third win in the Prix du Moulin. 👏

Watch all the finishes from today for free in our results and replay section >>> https://t.co/7iJOPsdIyZ pic.twitter.com/q5X6U0lw8D

— Racing UK (@racing_uk) September 9, 2018

Wind Chimes was supplemented for this race on Monday and looks a leading contender despite the prospect of tackling quick ground for the first time (dam won on good-to-soft, sire acted on any ground).

Group 1-winning machine

Laurens is bred to stay well on the distaff side of her pedigree (dam a 1¼m-14.5f winner), however she appears to have taken more speed from her sire Siyouni whose wins included the then seven-furlong Jean-Luc Lagardere. Laurens’ own victories at two included the Fillies' Mile here, and she’s since added three more Groups 1s, most recently the Matron after failing to stay the 1½m trip in the Yorkshire Oaks.

Laurens takes down Alpha Centauri in the @coolmorestud Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes! @LeopardstownRC @IrishChampsWknd pic.twitter.com/z69ZvoGNEE

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 15, 2018

She won by three quarters of a length from Alpha Centauri at Leopardstown (Clemmie beaten two lengths in an eye-catching never-nearer third, Happily two and a quarter lengths further back in fifth), digging deep after being briefly joined a furlong out, and though it emerged that the runner-up had suffered an injury during the race, the tough and genuine Laurens should not be taken lightly.

Ballydoyle challenge

While Laurens will be ridden prominently – perhaps to her advantage as there aren’t lots of other rivals for the pace – I Can Fly is likely to be held up. Judging by recent efforts, she’s either a little idle, especially in the early stages of the race, or is too slow to hold an early position, as she’s been ridden in the rear ever since her reappearance run at Leopardstown back in April. However, that hasn’t prevented her from resuming her progress of late, easily winning a listed race at Killarney in August and then an unlucky in-running when fifth at Tipperary a week later. She produced a career best when coming from last to first to win the Boomerang Stakes at Leopardstown last time by one and three quarter lengths from Kenya.

Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien team up again to win the @clipper_selby Boomerang Stakes @IrishChampsWknd with I CAN FLY #LICW18 pic.twitter.com/PmPFBEaRF7

— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) September 15, 2018

For those worried about I Can Fly’s poor run behind Billesdon Brook in the 1000 Guineas, it might be more sanguine to remember her close third to Alytn Orda in the Oh So Sharp Stakes last year rather than an early-season flop on the Rowley Mile where she clearly wasn’t right (disappointed in the Oaks on her next start).

Clemmie was the leading two-year-old filly of 2017, winning three times, including the Cheveley Park here, but she hasn't looked herself since suffering a setback earlier this season. She produced a creditable effort when third to Laurens in the Matron, but needs to improve. Stablemate Happily is another who needs to step up on her three-year-old form, having been ideally placed before fading into fifth in the Matron last time.

1000 Guineas form

Billesdon Brook sprang a 66/1 shock when beating Laurens by a length and three quarters in the Guineas, and though she hasn’t been able to reproduce that level when fourth in both the Coronation at Royal Ascot or Nassau at Goodwood, she has been far from disgraced on each occasion. She won’t be inconvenienced by the drop back to a mile and is considered after a two-month break.

Billesdon Brook wins a thrilling #1000Guineas for Sean Leavey and Richard Hannon Jnr at 66-1! Laurens and Happily follow her home. pic.twitter.com/tzRiCrjmX9

— Racing UK (@racing_uk) May 6, 2018

Altyn Orda was fifth in the Guineas but bettered that form when doing best of those who chased home Alpha Centauri in the Falmouth in July, for all she was beaten by four and a half lengths. Altyn Orda disappointed in the Celebration Mile last time, though, and needs to bounce back; she could do though, especially now back against her own sex.

Age no barrier to success

Six of the last nine renewals have been won by older fillies and mares, which are undoubtedly led by Aljazzi this year. She won the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot (by three and three quarter lengths from Tribute Act) in June but was below form when only fourth to With You in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville last time, unsuited by the way the race developed. She’s been given a break since, but could only manage ninth when not ideally placed in this race a year ago. Wilamina was third to Aljazzi at Royal Ascot but her last two runs have exposed her limitations at this level, and she is easy to oppose despite the drop in trip here being in her favour. The well-travelled Indian Blessing, whose last three starts have come at Hamburg, Goodwood and Saratoga, looks out of her depth.

Freemason Lodge candidates

Of more interest are the Sir Michael Stoute-trained fillies Desert Diamond and Veracious. The former has progressed with each start this year, her wins including a listed race at York (by six lengths from subsequent winner Snowy Winter) in July. She was a creditable half-length second to I'm So Fancy in a Group 3 at the Curragh last time and remains with potential, though she has a little to prove over this trip and that form hasn’t worked out particularly well.

Veracious sends records tumbling in 188Bet Casino Atalanta Stakes at @Sandownpark

Watch the action LIVE on @ITV4 pic.twitter.com/yYHdwjDNBI

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) 1 September 2018

Veracious has proven equally as progressive in five starts, including two at this level. She is a half-sister to the high-class 1m-1¼m winner Mutakayyef and hinted that she might be able to better his achievements by winning at this level, when landing the Atalanta Stakes at Sandown by one and a quarter lengths from Awesometank, not doing much once hitting the front after taking a while to master the runner-up. She looks the type to take her form up another notch when granted a truly-run race, and is respected despite having a bit to find on ratings.

Conclusion

A no-better-than-average renewal on ratings, even if all of the major players turn up rather than heading to the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp 24 hours later, but not any easier a puzzle to solve as a result. Wind Chimes and I Can Fly lead the Coolmore challenge, but – as with Aljazzi – they could be more susceptible to a strategic race if their jockeys adopt usual tactics. In contrast, the long-striding Laurens has proven adept at controlling races from the front and she can gain a fifth Group 1 (and possibly a little more recognition for her achievements) by repeating the dose here.

Recommended bets:

Back Laurens to win Saturday’s Sun Chariot Stakes at 11/4