A FIELD of 16 talented and feisty fillies are set to go to post for Saturday’s Fred Darling Stakes.
The race, a traditional trial for the 1000 Guineas, should be a cracker – so here is the lowdown on all the contenders.
Put up some impressive performances last year including when a close fifth in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Failed to really land a blow in competitive contests after that and would need to take a big step forward to be involved here.
A late bloomer who only made her first start at Doncaster in October but it was certainly worth the wait as she bolted up by four lengths with plenty left in the tank.
In the category of ‘could be anything’ and the unexposed filly could be a potential star and she shouldn’t be hindered by a bit of cut in the ground.
Relatively underestimated filly who produced a big performance when chasing home Just Wonderful in the Rockfel last season.
Needs to prove she can perform at that level consistently but must be kept a close eye on.
Battle-hardened filly who took in seven races last season. Her form behind Boitron at Newbury reads well but she struggled on her final two starts at Group 2 level.
Likely to find a few too good and it would be a surprise if she landed the prize.
Can be forgiven her final run of the season when down the field at Ayr, but she didn’t appreciate the heavy going there so connections will be hoping Newbury dries out a bit.
Previous form needs improving on if she is to feature in the finish.
Kept busy as a two-year-old with ten starts and failed to build on her debut win.
Form not up to scratch and looks out of her depth here and easy to look to others.
Versatile filly who won on ground varying from Good to Firm right through to Heavy last season.
Her most taking performance probably came over course and distance on her final start in a Listed contest and she could be one at a price to give the market leaders something to think about.
Half-sister to last season’s shock Queen Anne winner Accidental Agent, this filly comes here off the back of breaking her maiden at Kempton in March.
Given time to strengthen over the winter she looks an improving type but needs to take another step forward to challenge at the top here – although it wouldn’t be the greatest of surprises is she sneaks a place.
Put in a smooth performance when making a winning debut at Leicester in October and hasn’t been seen since.
Unexposed filly but has to take a huge step up to put herself in contention with some of her rivals here and others look likelier.
The deadly duo of Gosden and Dettori are always feared and they team up with the lightly-raced course and distance winner.
She still looked as if she was learning when winning here in October and it would be no surprise to see a much more streetwise performance on Saturday which puts her in the mix.
Consistent and tough filly who put up a big performance to chase home Fairyland at York before not being quite at her best on the softer ground at Ayr.
Will want the ground to dry out to be seen at her best but shouldn’t be underestimated.
Useful enough filly but looks held on form in this field. Needs to take a big step forward to be in the finish.
Look to others in this.
A typical tough Ballydoyle filly who went close to notching up a Group 1 win twice last season.
Her form puts her top of the tree in this field and it would be a surprise to see her out of the placings with the potential to improve again.
Outran her odds on her final two stars last season including when going down by a neck at Longchamp in the Prix Marcel Boussac.
Should make an even better three-year-old and an exciting prospect who looks more than capable of landing a race such as this as long as she copes with the step back in trip.
Put together a string of good performances last year and went close to notching up a Group 3 win in France on her final start of the season.
Likeable type but her form leaves her with plenty to find against the market principles.
Bombed out on her final start of the year when down the field in the Rockfel. Everything went wrong that day and is worth drawing a line through it.
Should have matured plenty over the winter and should not be underestimated on her return.
