September 14 / 15.00 Doncaster

15.00

Good To Soft

Betfred May Hill Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £68052
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
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Betfred May Hill Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

5/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 311

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Improving filly who justified favouritism with a 2l success in the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood (7f) most recently, taking form figures to 311; both wins on soft ground; should be suited by 1m; yard won this race in 2017 with Laurens; holds leading claims on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(2)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Newmarket

Darnation

9st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Enjoyed her finest hour when winning the German 1,000 Guineas (1m, soft) in May; only fifth of 15 in the German Oaks (1m3f, good to soft) last time and she faces a higher calibre of rival here; would be a surprise winner.

25/1

2nd

10

(10)

28th Jun 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 1

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Darnation

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Won twice at Group level last year, including the May Hill at Doncaster (1m, soft) in September; found Group 1 company too much the next twice (including in the 1000 Guineas on her return), but landed the German version at Dusseldorf (1m, soft) last month; bred to stay this far and the only question is how she will cope with the different surface; entered in the Irish and Yorshire Oaks and Nassau Stakes.

6/1

14th

3

(6)

5th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Newmarket

Darnation

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Stablemate of Fallen Angel; out of a half-sister to Blue Bunting, who won this race in 2011; readily beat See The Fire in the May Hill (Group 2) at Doncaster, completing a soft-ground hat-trick; form dipped in the Boussac on the return to faster conditions; chance of resuming her improvement may depend on how the surface is riding; interesting if it turns soft.

33/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 1

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made a successful debut at Newmarket (7f, good) last month, after which her owner's racing manager said the filly is "the best specimen we've had out of Arabian Queen so far and we came here confident as her homework had been exceptional"; interesting prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(4)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

15:30 York

See The Fire

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Pulverised her seven rivals in this on her second outing of last season, scoring by a whopping 12l on good to firm; couldn't quite reproduce that high-class RPR at Group 1 level in five subsequent outings in 2025 but mostly ran well, including a close second in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, soft); didn't have much to spare at the line when 1-3 for a 1m2f Nottingham Listed race on reappearance but cruised through most of that contest and will likely be a lot closer to her best this time; again the one to beat in this.

6/5

1st

5

(6)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 1

16:55 Nottingham

See The Fire

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Smart filly who is a Group 3 and Group 2 winner at York (1m1f/1m2f); has plenty of Group 1 form, including placed efforts at Royal Ascot (against males) and Longchamp (close second) last season; takes on some unexposed and interesting rivals but sets a high standard for them to aim at; respected back down sharply in class.

2/5

4th

4

(2)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

15:35 York

See The Fire

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Made it 2-2 here when bolting up in the Group 2 Middleton Fillies' Stakes over C&D (good to firm) in May, and heavy ground excuses her below-par run in the Nassau three weeks ago; in between she was no match for Ombudsman in the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) and, while the return to York offers some hope, a career best is necessary.

6/1

9/1

Form: 6134

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Brings Group form, having made the frame in the Sweet Solera at Newmarket (good) and Prix du Calvados at Deauville (heavy) last month, shaping as if 1m will suit; has progressive RPRs and could go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(3)

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 15y

Class 1

15:25 Musselburgh

Les Bleus

8st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

took keen hold, prominent early, in touch with leaders after 1f, in rear after 2f

20/1

8th

9

(6)

11th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Lingfield

Les Bleus

8st 8lb

J: Franny Norton

T: Richard Hughes

In the frame three times at Group level over 7f/1m as a 2yo; respectable fourth of five in conditions race at Kempton (1m, AW debut) on reappearance but this is a step back up in grade and she needs a big step forward.

40/1

9

(6)

11th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Lingfield

Les Bleus

8st 8lb

J: Franny Norton

T: Richard Hughes

In the frame three times at Group level over 7f/1m as a 2yo; respectable fourth of five in conditions race at Kempton (1m, AW debut) on reappearance but this is a step back up in grade and she needs a big step forward.

40/1

Form: 613

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Scored at Newmarket (7f, soft) on second start, then was only about 2l behind Darnation in the Prestige later in August (got hampered; form can be marked up); should relish 1m and the rematch could be tight granted better luck; major contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(6)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:12 Newmarket (July)

Hard To Resist

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: William Haggas

Won C&D novice as 2yo; very respectable third of six in Group 3 at Goodwood next time but hard work for her in subsequent Group races last year; weak in the market and well held on belated return in the 1m Sandringham at Royal Ascot but she should come on for the run and the return to 7f can suit; yard also fields Lou Lou's Gift.

8/1

22th

7

(17)

21st Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:05 Ascot

Hard To Resist

9st 0lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Struggled to have a serious say in Group 2/3 assignments last season after winning her novice at Newmarket; has looked very much at home on soft ground and it's slightly concerning that by far her worst performance was on good, albeit over 6f and on debut; still, entitled to make a better 3yo and trainer has no doubt targeted this race.

14/1

4th

4

(2)

14th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Hard To Resist

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

raced in second, pressed leader over 2f out

6/1

Form: 12 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Solid novice performances, winning at Ayr (7f, good to soft) then going close at Goodwood (1m, good) where she was hindered by being carried left by the winner; however, others are preferred on bare ratings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(8)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

15:20 Curragh

Francophone

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

Twice a Listed winner, notably when beating Hey Boo over this trip at Newmarket on her final start last season; appears well held by Jancis based on a Group 2 clash at the same venue three weeks ago.

10/1

4th

7

(8)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Newmarket

Francophone

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Successful twice in Listed grade, including at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) on last appearance; could go well but her overall record and ratings suggest she's unlikely to follow up in this better race.

12/1

1st

2

(14)

26th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Newmarket

Francophone

9st 4lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Hindered by wide trip in similar event at Pontefract when last seen; has several pieces of useful form, including good effort in Group 3 at Newmarket last October, but is 0-7 since Goodwood Listed win in May 2024.

16/1

6th
3 (4)

50/1

Form: 1

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made a winning debut at Kempton (7f, AW) one month ago but we've not rated the form highly; bottom of this stronger pack on bare form and will need a good deal of progress to follow up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 71

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Evidently well regarded, having been pitched into Listed grade on debut (never figured but showed some promise); subsequently impressive in maiden at Salisbury (7f, good; won by wide margin) and looks a very useful prospect for first-season trainer Ollie Sangster; appealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(10)

29th Mar 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:15 Kempton (AW)

Romanova

9st 2lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Ollie Sangster

held up in rear

25/1

6th

2

(9)

28th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

14:25 Lingfield (AW)

Romanova

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ollie Sangster

taken down early

13/2

Non-runners

Meribella, Zenjabeela

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.00
Straight Forecast £5.53
Trifecta £37.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Darnation

SPOTLIGHT:

Romanova

NEWMARKET:

Hard To Resist

TOPSPEED:

Romanova

LAMBOURN:

Romanova

The Times:

Romanova

The Guardian:

Romanova

The Sun:

Romanova

POSTDATA:

Darnation

Telegraph:

Darnation

Daily Mail:

Darnation

D Express:

Darnation

Daily Mirror:

Darnation

The Star:

Darnation

Daily Record:

Darnation