Gina Bryce previews the Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot

Sky Sports Racings Gina Bryce gives her verdict on the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

With two Classic winners on the roster of honor inside this Group 1 finale into the seven-race Fillies and Mares category, the 2019 renewal can see a third join Dancing Rain and Straightforward Verse with 2 Oaks winners including in a standout variant of this valuable competition.
John Gosden has enjoyed a stellar year due in no small part and its no surprise to see three athletes feature by Clarehaven headlined by both Oaks winners, Anapurna along with Star Catcher.
Star Catcher who reduced the colors of the Anapurna in the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp but who will face a tougher task this time against the winner of the Prix de Royallieu has been chosen for by his huge race ally Frankie Dettori.
Twist in four Aidan runners, Ballydoyle are currently seeking to complete the hat-trick in the race, and an unexposed mud-loving wildcard in the race and Antonia De Vega is shaping up to be an absolute cracker.
An unheralded winner of the Epsom Oaks at June, Gosdens Classic winner returned from a rest from the Vermeille to finish before putting her period back on course in the Group 1 Prix Royallieu on Arc weekend well beaten.
Given a race commanding ride from the front under Dettori she left all, showing tenacity and guts to continue in states within the trip.
Stamina will soon probably be a asset come Saturday on prediction ground. Yet, reports of her having gone in her coat and the fact Frankie overlooks her may temper enthusiasm.
A lightly-raced three-year-old in the stable of 2015 winner Simple Verse, this lady of Lope De Vega lost her unbeaten juvenile album when fracturing a pastern from the Fillies Mile however proved she kept all her ability when coming with an amazing win at The level at Newbury at June.
Before being withdrawn on account of the speedy ground touted for the Oaks, she has not yet been seen since. Her ability to handle states that are bottomless, coupled with reports of a gratifying recent racecourse gallop, mark her down as a fascinating contender.
Constant performer that has mixed it to follow house equally Tarnawa and Anapurna on many occasions this season, smart. Yet to win anything apart from her maiden and also a step will be required to see a second career success is notched up by her.
Claim and placings in both Oaks were a later unsatisfactory season for Pink Dogwoods high points. Questions after finishing to reply today defeated in Prix de lOpera and the Prix Vermeille on starts.
The top light amongst John Gosden armoury of fillies, this daughter of Sea The Stars for the measure up to 4f to stamp her authority on the very best of her creation from the Irish Oaks and the Ribblesdale.
The Selection of Dettori added the Prix Vermeille to the season to her haul last time and with proved stamina, both her wellbeing and ability to handle conditions she should prove a tough nut to crack for rivals
Dermot Weld won this race 2012 using Sapphire and the daughter of sire-of-the-season Shamardal attempts to replicate the feat having won the Group 3 Give Due Stakes at Cork.
Things didnt go for her on her only other trip to the UK at the Oaks but having experienced a break she has won her last 2, proving her versatility and above a variety of trips in the process. She is a genuine filly who could easily take the step required to choose this for her master coach.
The race does not lack for power in depth and we ought to be in for a thrilling renewal of this showpiece event for fillies and mares. Whilst its difficult to find any chinks in the remarkable armoury of favorite Star Catcher, if the probable bottomless conditions materialise it might be worthwhile siding with the new, unexposed ANTONIA DE VEGA that will love the ground and might hand the shrewd Ralph Beckett get his name on the roster of honor for a second time.