Monday 10 May 2010

Musidora Preview


Aviate could replace Timepiece as Henry Cecil's main hope to win a ninth Investec Oaks if she maintains her unbeaten record in Wednesday's Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York.

Both fillies are owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah but while Timepiece fluffed her lines for the second time this season at Lingfield on Saturday, Aviate was an impressive winner at Ascot a few weeks ago and could still make up into a Classic contender.

She will face seven rivals on the Knavesmire, among them Aidan O'Brien's Cabaret, an impressive winner of a Group Three at Leopardstown but last of 11 in the Prix Marcel Boussac. Sir Michael Stoute is represented by Eleanora Duse while Barry Hills runs Red Fantasy, second in the Pretty Polly Stakes.

Mark Johnston has decided to run Bikini Babe, second in the UAE Oaks on her penultimate start, rather than Pretty Polly winner Marie de Medici. Jim Bolger is sending over Gold Bubbles in an attempt to reclaim the prize he won in 2008 with Lush Lashes.

Pink Symphony will represent Paul Cole after her Newbury maiden win while Cracking Lass will run for Malton handler Richard Fahey. Among those not to be declared are May Hill winner Pollenator, Marcus Tregoning's Fatanah and Godolphin's Wedding March.

Australian sprinter Starspangledbanner is to make his northern hemisphere debut in the Duke Of York Blue Square Stakes at York on Wednesday.

The four-year-old, one of 12 declared for the Group Two sprint, left for Aidan O'Brien's Irish stable after finishing third in the Group One Newmarket Handicap at Flemington in March.

Showcasing is the only three-year-old taking on his elders and John Gosden's charge returns to the scene of his victory in the Gimcrack Stakes. Sir Michael Stoute saddles Main Aim while Anglezarke represents last year's winning stable of Richard Fahey.

Dandy Nicholls runs Cammidge Trophy victor Inxile while Barry Hills has left in Prime Defender, a winner at Haydock on Saturday, and Damien. The field is completed by Sayif, Doncaster Rover, Edge Closer, Judd Street and Mullionmileanhour.