220 newmarket saturday. The listed Empress stakes for 2yo fillies

                                      The bet 365 Empress Stakes [listed for 2yo fillies]


this looks a cracking contest with a couple of fillies, who are having there sights lowered following creditable runs at the royal meeting, taking on a few unexposed types who are stepping up in class.  A twelve runner contest in which the majority of the field seem to hold chances of varying degrees.

Disko- consistent filly, runner up in her first two starts, who benefited from a crafty ride from her criminally underused kiwi jockey James Mcdonald last time at Lingfield. Drawn one her jockey managed to get over to the golden highway next to rail before dictating the race winning by a routine length from Tautira. The runner up has since let the form down with a lacklustre display at Newcastle. Although the stable are in decent nick and have the benefit of Macdonald again here, she will have to improve quite a chunk if she is to take this contest

Fig Roll- by Bahamian Bounty out of the same connections decent juvenile Cake. Has done little wrong in her four runs so far, culminating in a fine fourth place in the Queen Mary at the royal meeting. Unlucky on debut at Kempton she then won a decent contest at Salisbury, before heading to Naas, to contest a listed race won by the stables star filly Sky Lantern the year before, where she finished a creditable third to Albany runner up Sandiva. The undoubted form choice, just a nagging doubt that this may come a touch soon after Ascot

Hoku- well thought of filly from the in form Olly Stevens yard. Went off a strong 2/1 favourite on debut at Windsor where she finished a decent third having been slowly away and looking very green in the early part of the race. That form has worked out well with the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 8th having all won since. She then went on to York for a listed contest running a fine race when finding only Beldale Memory, who went off 4/1 favourite when down the field in the Queen Mary, too good. Has a bit to find on the bare form, but does have the benefit of coming into this contest fresh having skipped the Royal meeting. Not without a chance for her promising handler

Jive- exposed filly who won a weak maiden at Lingfield last time, runner up has since won an even weaker Brighton maiden, at the fourth time of asking. Is the Hannon second string here and will have to step up massively on all know form to go close in this

Lady Chantilly- unbeaten filly for a trainer jockey combination who always worth a second look in two year old races, although possibly not so much in this exalted grade. Got up to beat Sunset Shore,winner since, on debut at Warwick over five furlongs. Slowly away that day, she was pushed along before the penny dropped ,getting up on the line to win a neck. Improvement should be forthcoming on her second start and over the extra furlong but would still be an unlikely winner

Lady Lydia- owned by former trainer Vince Smith and hailing from the Michael Wigham stable who are not renowned for the prowess in this sphere. However this one was noticeably short on debut for a strong maiden at HQ. She finished 12th that day but beaten only 4.75 lengths, didn't have to improve to lose the maiden next time before running a creditable second to the useful Justice Day in a Newmarket novices stakes. Has ability, but doubtful if enough to take this

Love In The Desert- third, when looking a touch unlucky, in a very decent maiden on debut at Sandown, she made no mistake when favourite next time out at Thirsk. That looked a decent maiden for the track and the second and third are useful yardsticks. Her literal form with Wind Fire and Survived would put her right in the mix here and could go well at a decent price

Majeyda- a Street Cry filly out of the group three winning Alzerra for the Godolphin team. Looked mightily impressive on debut when readily besting Elusive Quality, who had already shown a useful level of form. The trainers juveniles are always to be feared at this track and the Jockey rides the July course particularly well- 29% strike rate for a level stakes profit of £27.13. Although has a bit to find on the ratings with Fig Roll it is very possible she will improve past that one on second start. It is my belief she is the one to beat

Rough Courte- Mick Channon inmate who improved on her first three runs when a nose second to Ventura Mist, reopposes here, at Thirsk. Looked completely exposed prior to that run and will do well to break the maiden in this company.

Sunny Harbour- an intriguing runner for the upwardly mobile David O Meara stable. This cheaply bought yearling positively bolted up on debut at Redcar. Although not a strong race the runner up has shown decent form and the third has since won a Ripon maiden easily. Wasn't fancied in the betting-SP of 16/1- that day and although the trainer has had a decent season with his juveniles it is still a slight shock when his win first time out. They have booked the services of Ryan Moore for this contest which suggests they are expecting a good run. Will be interesting to see how she goes in the market and if strong may have a chance

Sweet Alibi- cheap purchase owned and trained by Stan Moore who has shown nothing in her three runs so far that suggests she is up to this grade. Confidently ruled out

Ventura Mist-  A filly who has been kept busy by connections this being her 5th run of the season. Has performed with credit each time. Running third on her first two runs, she broke the maiden edging out the aforementioned Rough Courte at Thirsk. Stepped up on those runs when taking the Hilary Needler at Beverley, coming with a late rattle to chin Lexington Rose, winner since, on the line. Then went to Ascot running a decent race beaten 5.5 lengths by Rizeena in the Queen Mary. An admirable sort who has form claims, it is just a worry that her busy season may catch up with her before long

Verdict- Fig Roll certainly brings the best form to the table but having ran at Ascot only Ten days before she may be vulnerable to a more lightly raced Filly. The obvious candidate would be the Godolphin owned Majeyda who looked very impressive when flooring an odds on shot at Leicester on debut. Of the rest it would be no surprise to see either Hoku or Love in the Desert improve enough to go close

1 Majeyda
2 Hoku
3 Love In The Desert