15.30 Newmarket: Sun Chariot Stakes (Group 1), 1m
Esoterique: Outstayed Integral in Dahlia Stakes in May, disappointing at Ascot subsequently. However won Group 1 Prix Rotshild in France then, beating 1.000 Guineas winner Miss France and Integral impressively. Strong performance against the boys when last seen in Group 1 company, while having way too much to do, when she was coming from off the pace and was asked for full effort too late. She finished strongly nonetheless in fourth.
Integral: Improving filly all year long, excellent Royal Ascot winner and followed up with impressive Group 1 Falmouth Stakes success. Not so good when third behind Esoterique when last seen, but then maybe she was a bit too early in front. She goes on any ground and is bound for a big run with conditions very much suit her.
Sky Lantern: Not herself this season in two starts. Little break again since then and remains to be seen if she can be back to her brilliant best from last season. If so, she has a major say, for obvious reasons. She is a high class filly and connections gave her plenty of time to come alive again.
Etaab: Smart filly and a good Listed winner over 1m at Newmarket recently. her course and distance form gives her a chance here, but it is some step up in class and she has to improve a good deal to be a real contender.
Fintry: Improving all the time, excellent Group 3 winner at Sandown when last seen. Group 2 winner in native France this season. Has form on softish ground and remains one with huge potential. Has to improve again to be competitive against proper Group 1 opposition but every chance to be that good.
Kiyoshi: Smart Juvenile and did well this season too, even though not quite as good as many would have hoped. Nonetheless she was a fine Group 3 winner at Doncaster last month. However she has never won over 1m and it seems the trip stretches her stamina a bit.
Miss France: This years impressive 1.000 Guineas winner, didn't stay 10f in French Oaks, but better when runner-up behind Esoterique recently. However she was fair and square beaten that day and needs to find back to her brilliant best. She remains one with huge potential for obvious reasons and being back at her beloved Newmarket will surly help.
Verdict: Intriguing contest and wide open. It is a bit the clash of the young against the experienced. There is the up and coming star filly Fintry. She was mightily impressive this season on numerous occasions and she is expected to improve further to tackle Group 1's now. Integral proved her class this season on the highest level already, and she'll be up there as well, so should be Miss France, if back at her best. Etaab remains with potential too, while Sky Lantern goes well at Ascot and would be a major playing if bouncing back to form. The overpriced selection is the French filly Esoterique in my mind, though. She ran a big race against the boys in an extremely hot contest at Longchamp last month, and she travelled like the winner, though she had simply too much to do. Asked for full effort 300m out, the bird was long flown. But she beat some of todays rivals at Deauville impressively before, and there aren't too many reasons why she should run a big race once again.
Esoterique @ 11/2 Paddy Power – 3pts win
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