Rizeena bids for another Group 1 in Fillies' Mile

Godolphin's Ihtimal takes a well-trodden path for the organization, having

annexed the Sweet Solera on the July Course here August 10 and May Hill at

Doncaster September 13 as Saeed bin Suroor's previous winner White Moonstone

had.

"Ihtimal won nicely at Doncaster and came out of that Group 2 race sound and

healthy," her trainer commented. "She is taking another step up in class, but

she is in good form at the moment. Ihtimal is not the biggest, but she tries

very hard and I am hopeful of another good effort."

The operation, which is looking for a fourth consecutive renewal, have also

supplemented the unbeaten Sound Reflection, a Charlie Appleby-trained daughter

of the multiple Group 2 scorer Echoes in Eternity. She beat the promising Night

Song in a seven-furlong conditions race on Kempton's Polytrack September 6 and

is certain to appreciate this extra trip.

"She's a big, scopey filly and we thought that we would take a chance in a

Group 1 race," Appleby said. "She is a filly for next season and whatever she

does this year is a bonus, but she has won both her starts and I am hopeful that

she will run a good race."

Three from Ireland with claims are Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Susan

Magnier's July 18 Silver Flash winner Wonderfully and the September 15 

Flame of Tara first and second Avenue Gabriel and Ballybacka Queen.

Earlier on the card, Radiator bids to back up her visually stunning,

15-length maiden romp in the Group 3 Oh So Sharp at seven furlongs. A daughter

of Juddmonte's accomplished Heat Haze from the esteemed dynasty of Hasili, the

blueblood was emphatic over this trip at Lingfield September 4, and if she can

build on that form she is primed to provide Sir Michael Stoute with another

renewal to add to his record six.

One of her most intriguing opponents is Mohammed al Kubasi and Pearl

Bloodstock's Lightning Thunder, who doubled her tally in a six-furlong

conditions event at Doncaster September 11.

"The plan was to go for the Rockfel Stakes," trainer Olly Stevens said, "but

at this time of year fillies can suddenly go in their coat and I would never

have forgiven myself if we waited and missed this opportunity. It's all a

learning curve for young horses and it won't be the end if she's beaten."

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum's Soft Falling Rain bids to get back

where he belongs in the Group 2 Joel, after surrendering his unbeaten record in

the Hungerford at Newbury last time August 17. The February 14 U.A.E. Two

Thousand Guineas and March 30 Godolphin Mile winner will need to deliver here if

he is to live up to trainer Mike de Kock's lofty expectations.

Soft Falling Rain will be tested by the three-year-old Montiridge from

Richard Hannon's yard, and Mitaab Abdullah's recent acquisition can be excused a

single below-par effort when returning a dirty scope following his latest fifth

in the Superior Mile at Haydock September 7. Previously, he had won a brace of

listed contests and the Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood August 2, and

connections are keeping the faith.

"Haydock was the first blip on Montiridge's record this summer and at least

there was a valid reason," Hannon explained. "He had won three of his previous

four races and was unlucky to be beaten at Royal Ascot (when second in the

Jersey) so fingers crossed he will show his Goodwood sparkle again."

Middleham Park Racing's reliable veteran Penitent took this last year and

enters his defesce at the top of his game, having won Sandown's Fortune Stakes

on his favored heavy ground nine days ago.

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