Supporters of Inspiral in today’s Gr1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket are pointing towards her winning experience over the unconventional undulations of the famous Rowley Mile as John and Thady Gosden’s filly chases a fifth Gr1.
Frankie Detorri at Meydan Dubai World Cup Carnival.
With her claims enhanced by the extraordinary experience and talent of her rider Frankie Dettori, the daughter of Frankel will attempt to add further to an imposing record at Newmarket, where she posted the first of her major wins by breezing past her rivals to comfortably land Newmarket’s Gr1 Fillies’ Mile as a two-year-old in 2021.
She also arrives here 55 days after what was probably a career-best performance when swooping to win another big prize over a straight 1600m course in August’s prestigious Gr1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.
Those looking in a different direction will point to an occasional flop by Inspiral, including in the Gr1 Sussex Stakes, albeit on unfavourably soft ground, shortly before her Deauville triumph while the form of that August encounter in Normandy has not so far been subsequently enhanced by Inspiral’s vanquished rivals.
Inspiral (Pic – Racing TV)
The seven-times winner must also encounter Mqse De Sevigne, the Andre Fabre-trained filly who has delivered ferocious winning surges in Group 1s at Deauville, latterly in August’s Gr1 Prix Jean Romanet.
Owner-breeder Edouard De Rothschild says: “The stiff Rowley Mile should be a perfect test for our filly so I think this is the right race for her, but Inspiral will be hard to beat. If we are second to her it is still a good performance.”
Mqse De Sevigne’s rider Alexis Pouchin, now unbeaten in those two Gr1 races on her, sounds more confident than the owner that his mount can usurp Inspiral in a race that French challengers have a strong record in. That is despite the fact that Mqse de Sevigne is unraced outside of France and is likely to encounter a faster surface than this impressive daughter of Siyouni is accustomed to.
A 24-year-old rising star, Pouchin, having just his second ride in the UK, says: “The straight track at Deauville suited her well and I think it will be the same at Newmarket. She is relaxed and uncomplicated. Hopefully all goes well early on so we can again make a winning finish.”
Heredia will be ridden by Sean Levey and has been supplemented after victories over this trip on her last two starts after swooping late to win Sandown’s Gr3 Atalanta Stakes last month.
Three-year-olds have eclipsed their elders by 37 wins to 12 since the Sun Chariot was opened to all age groups back in 1974 and, on that basis, both Coppice, an improving young stablemate of Inspiral, also a course and distance winner, and Meditate will be respected.
The latter – Aidan O’Brien’s sole entry for this – boasts a quality piece of course form having almost won the Gr1 Cheveley Park Stakes here last year, going on to deliver a stunning late winning surge in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland last November. The faster the ground, the better her chance.
