Inspiral is set to face five rivals in her bid to win the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes for the second season in a row.
The Newmarket feature was the second leg of a Group 1 hat-trick the daughter of Frankel achieved at the end of last year, although she is winless from three outings in the current campaign.
Inspiral is joined in the small-but-select line-up by stablemate Nashwa, who returns from a 189-day break after finishing well down the field in the Dubai Turf last time out.
But there are question marks over the form of John & Thady Gosden’s horses and that could open the door to the other four, who all receive the weight-for-age allowance as three-year-olds, in Saturday’s 14:40.
Elmalka brings C&D form to the table courtesy of her victory in the 1000 Guineas, See The Fire and Tamfana bagged Group 3 honours last time out, while Darnation claimed the German 1000 Guineas earlier in the year.
The latest Sun Chariot Stakes odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Sun Chariot Stakes verdict
Timeform: This isn’t an easy race to assess but the Gosden-trained 5-y-os NASHWA and Inspiral do have the slight edge on form over the 3-y-os. Inspiral was very impressive in this a year ago but hasn’t looked quite the same mare this term, so the versatile Nashwa is just preferred on her return to action. See The Fire could be the pick of the Classic generation.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Sun Chariot Stakes 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Sun Chariot Stakes 2024.
Inspiral
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Robert Havlin Age: 5 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 1
High-class mare at best who completed a top-level hat-trick in November’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita having won this race a month prior to that. Yet to fully fire this time, held back by another tardy start trying to win the Prix Jacques le Marois for the third time in August.
****
Nashwa
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Hollie Doyle Age: 5 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 3
Very smart mare who displayed a potent turn of foot, even down in trip, when an impressive winner of the Falmouth on the July Course last summer. Hasn’t been able to add to her tally since, albeit running several fine races last season. Mid-field at Meydan in March but she’s in the right hands.
*****
Darnation
Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Sam James Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 2
Confirmed she’s very useful when winning the German 1000 Guineas in May and performed with real credit when runner-up under a penalty in a Group 3 at Newcastle a month later (10.2f). Unable to add another German classic to her CV when fifth to Erle in Preis der Diana and she has plenty to find.
**
Elmalka
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: William Buick Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 4
Relished a well-run 1m when getting up close home to win the 1000 Guineas over C&D on just her third career start. Back at that form up with a brace of fourth-place finishes in the Coronation Stakes and the Nassau, latterly taking on her elders for the first time. Back in distance.
***
See The Fire
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 5
Performed with real credit in Group1 company, elevating her form when a neck-second to Opera SInger in the Nassau at Goodwood and she capitalised on the slight drop in grade in fine style when a ready winner of the Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York. No reason why she won’t give it another good go.
****
Tamfana
Trainer: David Menuisier Jockey: C. T. Keane Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 6
Smart filly who was unlucky not to win the 1000 Guineas. Good third in Prix de Diane at Chantilly next time before respectable fourth in Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp, giving the impression further step up in trip stretched her. Cashed in on drop in grade in the Ataltanta Stakes last time.
***
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- Confirmed Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runners and riders for Sunday’s big race at Longchamp
- Confirmed Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe draw for Sunday’s big race at Longchamp
- Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe trends and stats for Longchamp 3.20 on Sunday
The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
