Lowther Stakes

                                                                 Lowther Stakes


Nine juvenile fillies go to post for this group two which has an illustrious roll of honour. All bar the group two winning Lucky Kristale are unpenalised and it looks an open affair with no stand out candidate

Lucky Kristale- The only penalised runner in the field coming here off the back of a victory in the group two Cherry Hinton stakes. Beat two useful sorts on her first two starts before a creditable sixth in the Albany stakes at Royal Ascot. Sprung a shock at 20/1 last time when taking down the Queen Mary winner Rizeena. There seemed to be no fluke about that and she was possibly underestimated in the market due to unfashionable connections. The 3lb penalty today makes life tougher but should be there or thereabouts

Alutiq- two time winner from the Eve Johnston Houghton team who wears the second colours of  Qatar Racing Limited . Has possibly been unlucky not to finish a bit closer in her last two runs but on the strength of her form she has it all to do

Azagal- Tim Easterby filly who has ran consistently, winning twice, during a busy campaign. Only seventh last time behind J Wonder in a valuable Newmarket nursery and a rating of 85 shows she has to improve a fair bit to be involved here

J Wonder- Fascinating candidate from the Brian Meehan stable who comes here defending an unbeaten record. A rare debutant winner for the stable on debut when winning a strong maiden at Newbury at 16/1. Was surprisingly allocated of a mark of only 79 on the back of that so it was no shock to see her aimed at a 25k nursery at HQ which she duly won. The runner up, first two miles clear, has since acquitted herself well in group class since and she definitely warrants this step up in class.

Kaiulani- Mick Channon filly who runs in the colours of Calgary Bay and numerous other decent National Hunt types of recent years. Impressive on debut when readily besting Excels Beauty, runner up to Wind Fire in a listed contest last time, before running okay at Ascot when midfield in the Queen Mary. Not been seen since but if repeating her debut form not a forlorn hope

Reroute- Filly from the red hot Ed Walker string of juveniles who broke the 2yo course record when beating the useful Royal Mezyan on debut at York. Her trip to the Royal meeting seemed a bit of an afterthought and in the circumstances she ran really well to finish fifth. A touch disappointing when well beaten at Goodwood last time she will have to leave that effort well behind to take this

Merletta- Well thought of Noseda filly who has yet to hit the frame in her two runs to date. Was perhaps unlucky last time at Windsor when snatched up but still looks a most unlikely winner

Queen Catrine- Charlie Hills filly who has yet to finish out of the first three in her four runs to date. Finished third in a really strong Newmarket maiden on debut before sluicing up by five lengths from the useful Tanseeb at Ayr on second start. Ran creditably when stepped up in class when finishing third behind Lucky Kristale and then when second in the Princess Margaret. Didn't receive a stellar ride from Olivier Peslier that day and could be considered an unlucky loser. Hasn't got that much to find on the book and has the benefit of Johnny Murtagh on her back this time. Must have a big shout in an open affair

Wind Fire- Listed winner last time but overall has a rather in and out profile. Ran a screamer when third behind Morny winner No Nay Never in the Norfolk stakes but followed that up when a lacklustre fifth back at Ascot when favourite in the Princess Margaret over six furlongs. Has to prove she is as effective over this trip and for me there are enough negatives to take her on at the likely prices


Verdict- Really open renewal in which many can be given a chance. The key piece of form would appear to be the Cherry Hinton stakes in which Lucky Kristale ran out a decisive winner, Queen Catrine three lengths back in third, however a 3lb penalty for that victory brings her back to the field. The dark horse is the superbly bred J Wonder who comes here off winning a nursery of of 79, still unexposed she could be anything but has been well found in the market and is shorter than many with superior form in the book. The selection is Queen Catrine who has proved herself in this level of company on her last two starts and was perhaps unfortunate not to win last time. Her ready dismissal of the useful Tanseeb at Ayr shows she has serious amounts of talent and she is capable of making her presence felt. Of the rest Kaiulani impressed on debut and may go well at a price for Mick Channon who has won this twice in the past eight years

1 Queen Catrine
2 Lucky Kristale
3 J Wonder