ALL looks set fair for Usherette in the Tattersalls 250th Year Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.
Andre Fabre is always to be afforded maximum respect on his raids from France, and he has made little secret of the regard in which he holds the Godolphin-owned four-year-old.
Fabre is not one to waste his words and it is easy to see why he feels the way he does following the Shamardal filly’s recent wins on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket and at Royal Ascot.
She was particularly impressive in the Duke of Cambridge at the Royal meeting, winning with lots in hand from Furia Cruzada, who hardly let the form down in the Lancashire Oaks at the weekend. Quicker ground is a minor worry, but she has the requisite class to see her through.
Bletchley was beaten just a head at the Royal meeting and can gain due compensation in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes. Better known as the Cherry Hinton, this Group Two heat looks well within the compass of Ralph Beckett’s charge after she found Brave Anna just a short head too good in the Albany Stakes.
Having won on her only previous start, Beckett felt her inexperience just told a bit as she was slowly away and only just failed to get her head in front on the line. Further improvement appeared certain to be forthcoming and she would not have to make too much progress to be taking a significant hand in the finish.
Fawaareq can bring up his hat-trick in the John Banks Infiniti Cambridge Handicap. He has proved himself capable on very different going, winning on quick ground at Beverley before following up in testing conditions at this track last month. Owen Burrows’ charge scored in good style that day and a subsequent 5lb rise in the weights should prove no bar to success, with the stable in red-hot form.
La Rioja hit the bar in the Commonwealth Cup and that makes her an obvious pick for the 188Bet Summer Stakes at York. A Group Three winner last year, La Rioja has found Quiet Reflection too good on the two occasions they’e met, finishing a seven-length fifth at Haydock in May before narrowing that gap to two-and-a-half when fourth at Ascot.
She takes a dip in level to Group Three company and La Rioja should be making a bold bid.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
Nap: Usherette (4.15pm, Newmarket)
Double: Bletchley (3.45pm, Newmarket)
Treble: Fawaareq (2.40pm, Newmarket)
Yankee: La Rioja (4pm, York)
