July 27 / 14.25 Ascot

14.25

Good

Longines Valiant Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares)

  • Prize money: £48203.5
  • 0m 7f 213y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
ITV
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Longines Valiant Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.45
  • Place: £1.65

Form: 1-17 D BF

Last run: 73 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Tenacious winner of a maiden at Kempton (1m, AW) in December and Listed race at Newmarket (1m2f, good) in May, making most in the latter as the first two drew 12l clear; 8-11 for the Group 3 Musidora at York (1m2f, good; unraced on firmer) just ten days later but held up and hung right, finishing last of seven; on a recovery mission but the Newmarket win demands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(8)

23rd May 2026

Soft

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

13:45 Haydock

Friendly Soul

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

She's won five of her six starts, the latest victory coming in the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft) in October 2024; absent since and she needs to prove she retains her ability, but she probably won't need to be at her very best to come out on top in this line-up.

13/8

1st

7

(2)

27th Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:25 Ascot

Friendly Soul

8st 11lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

Tenacious winner of a maiden at Kempton (1m, AW) in December and Listed race at Newmarket (1m2f, good) in May, making most in the latter as the first two drew 12l clear; 8-11 for the Group 3 Musidora at York (1m2f, good; unraced on firmer) just ten days later but held up and hung right, finishing last of seven; on a recovery mission but the Newmarket win demands respect.

4/1

7th

3

(7)

15th May 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

15:45 York

Friendly Soul

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

Has Coronation Stakes and Ribblesdale entries; late foal; half-sister to eight winners including French Group 1 winners With You, Call The Wind and We Are; dam 10.5f Group 3 winner; upset in the stalls on intended debut; tenacious winner of a maiden at Kempton (1m, AW) later in December and Listed race at Newmarket (1m2f, good) ten days ago, making most last time as the first two drew 12l clear; that was a serious performance and her stable has won seven of the last 13 Musidoras.

10/11

8/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 141-33

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with a Listed win (7f, very soft) in France; close third in Group 3 at the Curragh (7f, soft) on reappearance before hitting a new high with her third of 14 in C&D Group 2 at Royal Ascot (good to firm); needs better still to win this but has each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(7)

13th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 1

14:40 Lingfield (AW)

Doom

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: William Haggas

Ran well in sole AW outing; form dipped the last twice but consistent previously and she may well rebound in this scenario (drops back in class); tongue-tie now applied; successful in her last Listed attempt and also warrants respect on the pick of her Group efforts, including at Royal Ascot (1m).

7/2

1st

3

(7)

13th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 1

14:40 Lingfield (AW)

Doom

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: William Haggas

Ran well in sole AW outing; form dipped the last twice but consistent previously and she may well rebound in this scenario (drops back in class); tongue-tie now applied; successful in her last Listed attempt and also warrants respect on the pick of her Group efforts, including at Royal Ascot (1m).

7/2

25/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 3753-4 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Novice and handicap winner who ended last season with third in a French Listed race (7f) and began this season with fourth in another (1m); the latter was improved form but she needs to build on that substantially.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(8)

14th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

17:00 Curragh

Naomi Lapaglia

9st 8lb

J: James Ryan

T: G M Lyons

Two good 1m runs at this venue after joining Ger Lyons, 2l third behind One Look in a Group 3 in April and 2 3/4l third behind Porta Fortuna in a Group 2 in June; reported to have suffered heat stress in a C&D Group 3 won by One Look in July; redeemed herself at Gowran; Red Letter is the yard's number one.

12/1

2

(3)

13th Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 100y

18:35 Gowran Park

Naomi Lapaglia

9st 9lb

J: James Ryan

T: G M Lyons

Often ran well in defeat in good company for Richard Spencer; confirmed a good standard of form with two 1m Curragh runs after joining Ger Lyons, 2l third behind One Look in a Group 3 in April and 2 3/4l third behind Porta Fortuna in a Group 2 in June; reported to have suffered heat stress in a 1m2f Group 3 at the Curragh on latest.

13/2

7

(4)

20th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

14:30 Curragh

Naomi Lapaglia

9st 5lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: G M Lyons

Yet to score in stakes' company but has run well in defeat on multiple occasions, including at 1m2f; shaped like further would suit on her first two starts for Ger Lyons here over 1m, 2l third behind One Look in Park Express and 2.75l third behind Porta Fortuna in Lanwades Stud Stakes (One Look second); place chance at least back at 1m2f.

7/1

Form: 7-5313 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Relished the step up to 1m in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot (good to firm) and won that 30-runner race with a late bid from the back; placed in Group/Listed races as 2yo and another third in Listed race at Sandown (1m, soft) on latest outing, but easily her best form (which would make her a leading player) was delivered with that win in a big-field handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(10)

8th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

15:10 Pontefract

Soprano

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Very useful filly; successful over 1m at Royal Ascot (handicap) and Deauville (Group 3) last term and Kempton (AW Listed) on reappearance; came up short returned to Royal Ascot (Group 2) last time but commands respect, even with a 3lb penalty, back down in grade.

11/4

7

(7)

18th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Soprano

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Her highlights last season included a win in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) and a clearcut success in Group 3 at Deauville (1m, good) in August; made virtually all when just holding off Crimson Advocate on Kempton reappearance (1m Listed) in March but she's exposed after 16 starts and has something to find on the figures back in a Group 2.

12/1

1st

10

(6)

29th Mar 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:15 Kempton (AW)

Soprano

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: George Boughey

led

5/6

OUR TIP

Form: -54468 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
New yard for last three starts; first two were good, making most on first occasion and close up long way next time when she finished under 1l behind Doom in C&D Group 2 at the Royal meeting; ran poorly on Chelmsford AW (7f) on latest outing and even her best form requires marked improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

11

(14)

21st Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

15:00 York

Julia Augusta

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David O’Meara

Third at Epsom on return was a lot better than either of her subsequent efforts and she's only ever won two novice events, the latest in June 2022; some stiff tasks, admittedly, but others have more pressing claims.

33/1

7th

7

(9)

8th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

15:10 Pontefract

Julia Augusta

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Capable of useful form; didn't fare badly in Royal Ascot handicap most recently considering two things were against her (partially shod, poorly drawn); however, chance of ending a three-year losing spell depends on whether the first-time tongue-tie works a treat.

12/1

10th

5

(4)

18th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Julia Augusta

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Largely found it tough at Listed/Group level on joining David O'Meara last summer but made a promising return to action with her sights lowered when keeping on for third in 8.5f Epsom handicap (good to soft) on Oaks day; should be competitive from an unchanged mark.

16/1

5/1

Form: 18-325

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
An improver performer with new yard this season, bang there in 7f Group 3s on first two outings and keeping on well when fifth of seven in Group 1 Falmouth over 1m at Newmarket; all those runs were on good ground but she ran well once last term on good to firm; slowly away on last two outings but those results give her a big shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(7)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

13:00 Epsom

Sirona

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: David Menuisier

Versatile tactically; took her form to a new level in 2024, which included a Listed win at Newmarket (1m, heavy) in September and some solid runs in Group races to start the season; close fourth from the front at Goodwood on reappearance five weeks ago and has each-way claims.

5/1

1

(7)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Goodwood

Sirona

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Menuisier

Took her form to a new level last season, which included a Listed win at Newmarket in September and a second in a Group 3 in France the following month (both at 1m on heavy); has to concede weight all round on her return but she has the best form in this line-up and is fairly versatile ground-wise; big player.

11/4

4th

1

(7)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Goodwood

Sirona

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Menuisier

Took her form to a new level last season, which included a Listed win at Newmarket in September and a second in a Group 3 in France the following month (both at 1m on heavy); has to concede weight all round on her return but she has the best form in this line-up and is fairly versatile ground-wise; big player.

11/4

Form: 136-74 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Unraced on officially firmer than good; French 1m Listed winner last July, prior to career-best form when close third in this race; wore cheekpieces both starts this season and looked on her way back to her best when fourth in 7f Group 3 at Leopardstown latest; place claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(1)

1st Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 110y

15:30 Tipperary

Thornbrook

9st 7lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

midfield, some headway disputing second under 2f out, weakened inside final furlong

6/1

7th

5

(1)

27th Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:25 Ascot

Thornbrook

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Unraced on officially firmer than good; French 1m Listed winner last July, prior to career-best form when close third in this race; wore cheekpieces both starts this season and looked on her way back to her best when fourth in 7f Group 3 at Leopardstown latest; place claims.

9/1

4th

5

(2)

11th Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 35y

18:15 Leopardstown

Thornbrook

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

towards rear, headway towards far side from 2f out, prominent when short of room 1f out, no extra inside final 110yds

12/1

Form: 1-11 D

Last run: 71 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Unbeaten after three starts; bagged Listed honours at York (1m, good; unraced on firmer) in May last time out, settling better in a first-time hood and gradually working her way to the front before going on by 2l; declared for Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot but withdrawn with self certificate; needs improvement but no shock if she proves equal to this task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(8)

27th Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:25 Ascot

Devoted Queen

8st 11lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Unbeaten after three starts; bagged Listed honours at York (1m, good; unraced on firmer) in May last time out, settling better in a first-time hood and gradually working her way to the front before going on by 2l; declared for Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot but withdrawn with self certificate; needs improvement but no shock if she proves equal to this task.

5/2

1st

5

(5)

17th May 2024

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 1

15:15 York

Devoted Queen

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Won comfortably on debut at Newmarket (7f, soft) last October and followed up by a neck in conditions race at Kempton (1m, AW) last month; this half-sister to top connections' Group 3 winner One Ruler is open to further improvement and the first-time hood could help her settle; in calculations.

5/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.40
Straight Forecast £26.17
Tricast £324.81
Trifecta £293.70

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Friendly Soul

The Guardian:

Devoted Queen

POSTDATA:

Soprano

SPOTLIGHT:

Sirona

NEWMARKET:

Friendly Soul

The Times:

Friendly Soul

Daily Mail:

Friendly Soul

Daily Mirror:

Friendly Soul

The Sun:

Devoted Queen

Daily Record:

Devoted Queen

Telegraph:

Soprano

The Star:

Soprano

RP RATINGS:

Sirona

D Express:

Sirona