Sun Chariot Stakes

Lightning often strikes twice and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Peeress can prove to be a case in point by landing the Group 1 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket for the second year in succession on Saturday. At 9/4 with Paddy Power, the daughter of Pivotal looks a solid bet. She was making up ground hand over fist close home when failing by a short head to reel in Red Evie in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown where she looked a tad unlucky not to prevail last time out. Considering that the going was plenty fast enough for her in Ireland that day, Peeress deserves plenty of credit for that effort and, with the conditions becoming quite testing at Newmarket, she has clear-cut opportunity to exact revenge on Michael Bell's charge this time. The selection, who landed the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on soft going in May, is of the most consistent horses in training and has run some fine races in defeat against colts at the highest level this term, including when beaten little over a neck into third behind Librettist in the Jacques le Marois at Deauville on August 13. Red Evie is without a doubt they most improved horse in training this term. She began the current campaign by winning a Class 6 maiden at Yarmouth but has gradually worked her way to the top of the tree in the fillies' and mares' category subsequently and made a successful jump from Group 3 company to the top flight when coming out on top in the Matron. However, progressive though she is, the Intikhab filly got first run on Peeress on that occasion, benefiting from the fact that the latter was momentarily tapped for toe on the quick surface. Although Red Evie is versatile with regard to underfoot conditions and won't be inconvenienced by the cut in the ground, she faces a tough task confirming the placings with Peeress. Irish raider Alexander Goldrun has been comparatively sparingly campaigned this season and was far from disgraced when third to Dylan Thomas in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last time. She had previously fought out the most enthralling finish of the season thus far when failing by a nostril to overturn Ouija Board in the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. This brilliant mare merits the utmost respect, but she is very much a ten-furlong specialist and I am concerned that she will lack the requisite tactical pace to deal with a crack miler like Peeress. Soviet Song has been a crack miler herself over the past few seasons, but she doesn't look so good this term and regular pilot Jamie Spencer desserts her in favour Red Evie. The 1,000 Guineas heroine Speciosa has been a shade disappointing the last twice and while it would be no surprise to see her go well at the scene where she enjoyed her finest hour and under conditions that suit, one suspects that the exertions of her effort in the Oaks under a month after her Guineas victory have left their mark. Verdict - 2pts Peeress @ 9/4 (Paddy Power)