QIPCO British Champions Day 2018: Lah Ti Dar out to make amends in Fillies and Mares Stakes
John Gosden's filly was second in the St Leger and bids to go one better in slightly calmer waters
LAH TI DAR will bid to hit the high notes in Saturday's QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes.
The star filly couldn't quite cut it in the St Leger but takes on her own sex this time around.
A very impressive winner of the Listed Galtres Stakes on her penultimate start, she was all the rage for the Doncaster Classic - only to find Kew Gardens too strong.
Now taking on a slightly weaker level of opposition, John Gosden's filly will likely start off a hot favourite once again in her bid to land her first Group 1.
“She’s in super form. I’ve had a lot run in the St Leger over the years and it’s a race that can hit them a bit but I’ve been astounded with how she took it in her stride. It didn’t bother her.
“In the St Leger she sort of got the idea of what she was meant to be doing in the last furlong. She's still a big, immature filly and Frankie said he was so busy settling her that he sent her to sleep and then could not wake her up again.
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“I loved the way she finished that day. She was doing her best work in the final furlong.”
Gosden also fields Coronet, who got so close to landing a Group 1 when second in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud back in July.
Her trainer said: “She’s been desperately unfortunate not to win a Group 1. She runs into Enable, runs into Waldgeist, who beats her by a nose, then runs into Sea Of Class.
“She’s the most consistent of fillies - a real trier and a tough cookie. If she doesn’t win on Saturday we’ve got one final Baldrick plan. There’s the Premio Lydia Tesio in Rome, in November, and we are planning to go and get her a Group 1 before she’s retired to stud.”
Roger Varian will be expecting a better performance from Pilaster, who looked to get slightly outpaced when sent off favourite for the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster last time out.
He said: “Pilaster’s a lovely filly and improving all the time. She’s in great form and this race has been the target since she ran at Doncaster in the Park Hill.
“She’s back in trip, but the way the race was run at Doncaster I’m sure it will be more a test of stamina at Ascot than it was there. I think she’s got the ability to handle herself back at a mile and a half.
“It will be the biggest question we’ve asked her but I think she’s ready for it and will run very well. She’s a Group 2 winner and deserves her chance at Group 1 level. How she fares we will have to see, but I think she has a quality to run a nice race.”
Andre Fabre brings over what could turn out to be a fly in the ointment in Kitesurf.
The four-year-old filly was last seen at Lonchamp winning the Prix Vermeille and that form is up there with the best in the race.
Aidan O'Brien has a mountain of entries headed by Magic Wand, last seen finishing a nose behind Fabre's contender. The Irish champion could also field Hydrangea, Athena, Broadway, Bye Bye Baby, Flattering, Magical and Sizzling.
God Given and Horseplay complete the possible field.