MICHAEL STOUTE looks to have found precisely the right race at Salisbury for Provenance on Wednesday.
The four-year-old daughter of Galileo has so far fallen just short in Listed class but that might be about to change after the British Stallion Studs EBF Upavon Fillies’ Stakes. A mile-and-a-quarter on fast ground looks just the ticket for this half-sister of Integral, who has made solid, if slightly unspectacular, progress this summer.
Provenance nonetheless looked on the march in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot, when she flashed home for fifth spot behind Mahsoob. She could not quite kick on at Sandown next time, though, as Tha’ir proved much too good in the Gala Stakes.
There was no real disgrace about finishing second to that rival, however, as Godolphin’s inmate is only just below Group Two class.
Stoute’s representative is usually most effective when she is delivered late in the day off a generous pace, so it can be quite an ordeal for her followers. She is, however, pretty unexposed for her age and appears to have conditions loaded in her favour in a 14-runner field.
Several three-year-olds, including Suffused and Chain Of Daisies, are respected in receipt of weight, but Provenance might have a bit more wherewithal when it matters. Her trainer also likes this race, having won the Upavon three times in the last eight years.
Faery Song should also go well in the Champagne Joseph Perrier Handicap. David Lanigan’s filly looks capable of winning races off a mark of 70 judged by her pleasing handicap debut at Leicester last month.
The three-year-old daughter of Lawman clearly enjoyed herself over a mile-and-a-quarter and was actually a little bit unlucky as she hit traffic problems on the way to a close-up third behind Revision.
Faery Song has low mileage compared to most of her rivals, so it would be disappointing if she regressed from that Leicester spin.
See Vermont has not had the luck his efforts at Beverley have warranted this season, but he should remain an ally in the Rawfield And Paragon Data Handicap.
Ice Slice missed the break at Kempton last time but still shaped well enough to suggest a return to the venue can yield a nice profit in the 32Red.com Handicap.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
Nap: Provenance (3.55pm Salisbury)
Double: Faery Song (4.30pm, Salisbury)
Treble: See Vermont (3.35pm, Beverley)
Yankee: Ice Slice (8.10pm, Kempton)
