May 05 / 14.25 Newmarket

14.25

Good

William Hill Dahlia Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares)

  • Prize money: £70887.5
  • 1m 1f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
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William Hill Dahlia Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 52690-

Last run: 197 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Listed/Group 3 winner; her final four runs of last season were at the top table, the best of them when runner-up in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh (1m2f, good); the tongue-tie tried that day was retained afterwards and she wasn't beaten far in either the Yorkshire Oaks (1m4f) or the Prix de l'Opera (1m2f) before unsuited by soft ground on Champions' Day; at this lower level she's a strong contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(4)

1st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Stay Alert

9st 9lb

J: David Egan

T: Hughie Morrison

Cards dropped nicely in Group 2 at Newmarket (1m1f, good) in May; behind two of these rivals at the Curragh (yielding to soft) since, taking Group 1 record to 026905; however, this return to forecast faster ground is a plus.

16/1

5th

5

(7)

29th Jun 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

15:30 Curragh

Stay Alert

9st 12lb

J: David Egan

T: Hughie Morrison

Runner-up at 25-1 in this race 12 months ago despite not getting a clear run at a vital stage; not beaten far in the Yorkshire Oaks or the Prix de l'Opera before unsuited by soft ground on Champions' Day; justified reprieve from retirement with Group 2 defeat of Roaring Lion at Newmarket in May; runner-up flopped at Epsom before redeeming herself at Royal Ascot.

13/2

2/1

  • Place: £1.85

Form: 10238- C

Last run: 197 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won her first two races of last season (including a 1m2f Listed race here on soft) before withdrawn from the Oaks (upset in the stalls) when only 5-1; placed later in the season in a strong 1m2f Listed race (good) and 1m4f Group 3 here (good to firm) before a below-par run on Champions' Day; still to prove fully that she can compete at this level but the potential is there for sure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(11)

17th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 1

16:00 Yarmouth

Running Lion

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Mercurial mare who is smart on her day; won 1m Group 2 at Royal Ascot and finished a close second in the Group 1 Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft) last year; the effect of the cheekpieces that prompted an improved fourth when bidding to retain her Ascot crown has worn off the last twice, though, including when a surprise market mover but beaten 24l in the Group 1 Nassau (1m2f, heavy) last time; wins nothing on that form, and the widest stall is not helpful, but she'd be a big threat if first-time blinkers fire her up.

11/4

5th

1

(1)

31st Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:05 Goodwood

Running Lion

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) last June and went close in the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft); respectable fourth back at Royal Ascot last month but she hasn't been at her very best this season and looks vulnerable today; can lead.

25/1

4

(5)

11th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket (July)

Running Lion

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Ran creditably in first-time cheekpieces (retained today) when bidding for a second win in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes but finished behind two of today's rivals and there seems no obvious reason why she should reverse the placings; ran as if something was amiss in this contest last year.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 43656- C

Last run: 263 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Dual winner at two; kicked off last season with a fourth in the 1,000 Guineas (soft) and went on to be third in the Oaks (good to firm) and a close fifth in another Group 1 (1m2f Nassau, soft); all that adds up to strong form credentials back in a Group 2 and it's unlikely that dropping back in distance will be a great issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(2)

10th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 37y

Class 1

16:45 Haydock

Caernarfon

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

midfield

4/1

3rd

2

(3)

21st Jul 2024

Good

1m 1f 0y

16:20 Curragh

Caernarfon

9st 9lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Jack Channon

raced in fourth behind clear leader, went third 2f out, outpaced final 110yds, kept on

5/1

1st

2

(9)

9th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

15:10 Pontefract

Caernarfon

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jack Channon

raced wide early, in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, edged left and led narrowly inside final furlong, ridden out

10/1

Form: /3466- D

Last run: 260 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who has been campaigned in France except when below par on ground too fast (good to firm) in the Oaks; finished close up in a 1m2f Group 1 (very soft) and a 1m4f Group 2 (heavy) on either side of Epsom; has the form to take a hand provided conditions are suitable, and her half-sister Wonderful Tonight improved with age and experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(3)

25th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:05 Goodwood

Heartache Tonight

8st 13lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: David Menuisier

prominent

8/1

7th

2

(1)

22nd May 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Ayr

Heartache Tonight

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: David Menuisier

Her best efforts have come on soft ground or slower (unraced on good to soft) and she was soundly beaten in a Group 2 at Newmarket (1m1f, good) on her recent reappearance; however, she may have needed the run and last season's Group-race performances in France give her a leading shout.

3/1

7th

2

(1)

22nd May 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Ayr

Heartache Tonight

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: David Menuisier

Her best efforts have come on soft ground or slower (unraced on good to soft) and she was soundly beaten in a Group 2 at Newmarket (1m1f, good) on her recent reappearance; however, she may have needed the run and last season's Group-race performances in France give her a leading shout.

3/1

13/2

Form: 3348-2 C

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
A well-held third in this 12 months ago after winning a Listed race at Doncaster, in which she was no match for a subsequent Group 2 winner in this year's renewal; could strip fitter for that outing and a repeat of last year's peak efforts in a Group 3 at Epsom and the Group 1 Falmouth wouldn't see her far away; dangerous to pass over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(3)

9th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

15:10 Pontefract

Astral Beau

9st 2lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

Ran creditably behind smart Charyn when bidding for a second success in the Doncaster Mile (soft); only fifth in Group races since but has possibilities returned to Listed level.

11/4

5th

1

(2)

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:00 Epsom

Astral Beau

9st 8lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

took keen hold, raced in second against near rail

9/1

5th

2

(5)

5th May 2024

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newmarket

Astral Beau

9st 2lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

A well-held third in this 12 months ago after winning a Listed race at Doncaster, in which she was no match for a subsequent Group 2 winner in this year's renewal; could strip fitter for that outing and a repeat of last year's peak efforts in a Group 3 at Epsom and the Group 1 Falmouth wouldn't see her far away; dangerous to pass over.

13/2

Form: 1360-1 C

Last run: 107 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won her maiden here; later came up shy in two 1m Listed races before not giving her running when tailed off behind Novus in a Group 3 here (1m2f, soft); best form when edging home in a 1m Group 2 at Meydan three months ago and the runner-up was second in a US Grade 1 last month; the grey area is this return to further when she's notoriously headstrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(6)

5th May 2024

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newmarket

Silver Lady

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Won her maiden here; later came up shy in two 1m Listed races before not giving her running when tailed off behind Novus in a Group 3 here (1m2f, soft); best form when edging home in a 1m Group 2 at Meydan three months ago and the runner-up was second in a US Grade 1 last month; the grey area is this return to further when she's notoriously headstrong.

4/1

6th

1

(6)

5th May 2024

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newmarket

Silver Lady

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Won her maiden here; later came up shy in two 1m Listed races before not giving her running when tailed off behind Novus in a Group 3 here (1m2f, soft); best form when edging home in a 1m Group 2 at Meydan three months ago and the runner-up was second in a US Grade 1 last month; the grey area is this return to further when she's notoriously headstrong.

4/1

Non-runners

Novus

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.00
Straight Forecast £12.34
Trifecta £57.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Running Lion

RP RATINGS:

Stay Alert

Telegraph:

Caernarfon

Daily Record:

Silver Lady

SPOTLIGHT:

Astral Beau

NEWMARKET:

Running Lion

The Times:

Running Lion

The Sun:

Running Lion

The Star:

Running Lion

Daily Mirror:

Caernarfon

TOPSPEED:

Stay Alert

D Express:

Stay Alert