French trainers have claimed five of the last 10 renewals of the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes and Volta can further enhance those statistics with victory in this year’s contest at Newmarket.
Francis-Henri Graffard’s charge has been relatively late to the party this term and this will be just her third start at Group One level, but her placed efforts in the best company show she is more than capable of holding her own.
The daughter of Siyouni failed to strike in three juvenile outings but notched up an early season hat-trick culminating in the Group Two Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly at the beginning of June.
That run inspired connections to make a swift return in the French Oaks two weeks later and their faith was rewarded as Volta was beaten just under two lengths after suffering some serious interference at a crucial point of the race.
The second, Left Hand, has since won the Prix Vermeille, while winner La Cressionniere would have been among tomorrow’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe favourites had she not suffered a last-minute setback, so the Classic form certainly bears the closest inspection.
Dropped back a mile next time, Volta found Qemah just too sharp in the Prix Rothschild, with the reopposing Siyoushake in fifth and Alice Springs a very under-par eighth on that occasion.
That again is some top-class form and while Alice Springs – magnificent subsequently in the Matron Stakes – is certain to put up much more of a challenge this time, it may pay to side with the French filly at more generous odds.
Simmie can prove the solution to a tricky-looking £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes.
Her purchase price of just 3,500 guineas has more than been repaid with her fifth in the Queen Mary a particular highlight, while she has also won heats at both Wolverhampton and Lingfield this term.
She currently boasts a rating of 86 but her price tag puts her near the bottom of the weights and Sylvester Kirk could have made a clever placing by opting to tackle this heat.
All eyes will be on Shalaa as he returns to action and preps for Champions Day in the John Guest Bengough Stakes at Ascot, but the race-sharp Mehronissa may be the best bet for a win.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
Nap: Volta (4.00: Newmarket)
Double: Simmie (4.35: Newmarket)
Treble: Mehronissa (3.05: Ascot)
Yankee: Sole Power (4.15: Ascot)
