Friendly Soul Steps Up In The Musidora

Arguably the most impressive Oaks trial winner so far this month when dominating the Listed Pretty Polly S., George Strawbridge's Friendly Soul (GB) (Kingman {GB}) makes a 10-day turnaround in Wednesday's G3 Tattersalls Musidora S. at York. Upsetting the already-proven Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) at Newmarket, where the third was 12 lengths further behind, the John and Thady Gosden-trained filly is slightly ahead of the curve as far as pedigree is concerned, so far showing more precocity than her three Group 1-winning half-siblings. Despite being by Kingman, she has plenty of stamina in her pedigree and with connections weighing up whether to head to Chantilly or Epsom next, this should help make up their minds.

Ralph Beckett won the two recognised Oaks trials last week and saddles a duo to make it three here in the daughters of Lope De Vega (Ire), Classical Song (Ire) and La Pasionaria (GB). The former, who races for Doreen Tabor, was fourth in the G1 Fillies' Mile when last seen in October and that is strong form. Jockey Rossa Ryan is optimistic. “Her work at home has been lovely. She's wintered really well and, judging by her two-year-old career, it looks like the step up in trip will suit her well so I would have no fear on that front,” he said.

Ballydoyle's Mayfair (Ire) (Justify) is still a maiden after three starts with much to find on form, but that hasn't stopped many of the stable's runners down the years and she is up to a trip that will suit on pedigree. “We always felt that stepping her up in trip will make a big difference to her, so we are expecting a good bit of improvement,” Aidan O'Brien said.

Also at York is the G2 1895 Duke Of York Clipper S., where the sprinters re-engage ahead of Royal Ascot including Azure Blue (Ire) (El Kabeir) who beat the sadly-departed Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) in this 12 months ago. Seen only once subsequently when sixth in Newmarket's G1 July Cup, she has to defy the lay-off in a race that is competitive in terms of numbers but which lacks a Highfield Princess.

Another filly in the line-up with solid claims is Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum's Swingalong (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), whose two visits to this venue resulted in wins in the G2 Lowther S. and G3 Summer S. “Swingalong has been working really nicely, she's been on the go a long time and has been ready to go for a while,” commented Karl Burke, who also saddles last year's G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis winner and G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and G1 British Champions Sprint S.-placed Spycatcher (Ire) (Vadamos {Fr}) and last year's Group 3 winners Cold Case (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) and Marshman (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}).

“She loves York and we hope she will run a big race–she has never run a bad race at York. Spycatcher will need every drop of rain and if the ground is deemed to be firm then there would be a doubt about him going. We've got four nice horses and it is a shame they all have to run against each other. Swingalong seems to be at the head of them, although on soft ground I would be leaning with Spycatcher.”