Clive Cox looks for Isabella Giles to continue on an upward curve in the Group Two Rockfel Stakes in Newmarket on Friday
The two-year-old was last seen winning the Group 3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood, where she finished seven lengths ahead of the Prado in Charlie Hills in difficult conditions
It was a third win in four starts for Belardo’s daughter, having also triumphed in her first two appearances at the racetrack in Leicester and Newbury
« She is in excellent shape and we very much hope that she can continue to progress, everything is fine »
Ahead of Goodwood, Isabella Giles finished fourth in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot, suffering her only loss to date when she was beaten a length and a half by David Loughnane’s Santosha
The two fillies face off again on Friday, with Santosha also declared for the Rockfel and Thomas Greatrex set to do the round
Loughnane is hoping his charge can bounce back after a disappointing effort when a distant eighth behind Miss Amulet in Two Lowther Stakes in York
« I think the race probably came four or five days too early – in an ideal world I’d rather it be later
« She cooled off after the Lowther, looks great and is doing very well after a little break. We’ll roll the dice and try our luck »
Loughnane has no reservations about increasing the distance, with the filly tackling the seven furlong trip for the first time after campaigning exclusively in six stadiums so far
« This has always been the plan throughout the year – we have worked up to seven all season »
Impressive winner of the Upavon Fillies’ Stakes in Salisbury on her penultimate start, Frankel’s daughter was last seen beating all but the brilliant Love in the Yorkshire Oaks, after missing the Park Hill of Doncaster
Alpinista is one of four three-year-olds in a six-person lineup, alongside Franconia coached by John Gosden, Katara by Sir Michael Stoute, and Queen Daenerys from Roger Varian’s court
The two oldest fillies competing are Sea Of Faith, formed by William Haggas – winner of a Listed race in France last week – and Ralph Beckett’s Antonia De Vega, who was not seen competing since winning a Listed award at Pontefract in June
The main contenders include Ummalnar, long absent from the Haggas yard, Bounce The Blues by Andrew Balding and Cloak Of Spirits by Richard Hannon
The latter kicked off the campaign with a second place behind Love in the 1000 Guineas, but failed to improve on that performance in four subsequent outings.
« The spirits cloak is in good shape She was a bit disappointing in Doncaster last time around (fifth in Scepter Stakes), but I think this race will be good for her as it’s a Listed level downhill », said Hannon
« She finished second from a Guinea and finished two more times in group races – she ran good races
« It’s a little disappointing that she hasn’t won this year yet, so it would be nice if she could enjoy a Listed race like this
« It gives you a little more confidence that she has run well here before too »
Listed honors are also up for grabs in the Eqtidaar Godolphin Stakes, which feature a trio of Godolphin runners in Charlie Appleby’s Loxley and Walton Street pair and Saeed bin Suroor’s Volcanic Sky
There’s some top action coming to Racing TV over the next few weeks and we’re giving you a front row seat to enjoy it all Watch every race live from over 100 meetings with a month Free from Racing TV Click here for more details
Horse Races, Rockfel Stakes, Aidan O’Brien, Newmarket Rowley Mile Course, Ascot Racecourse
World News – GB – Rockfel Stakes: Clive Cox hopes Isabella Giles can continue his progression
