September 12 / 15.00 Doncaster

15.00

Good

Betfred May Hill Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies)

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

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 11

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Very promising filly who is two from two, both wins over 7f at Newmarket (good/good to firm); comfortably beat Flight on debut, then defied a penalty in impressive fashion (skipped clear with ease); should be suited by 1m; looks a Group performer in the making and commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

6th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

16:00 Epsom

Desert Flower

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Unbeaten in four races as 2yo, by an aggregate of almost 17l and culminating in Group 1 Fillies' Mile (good to soft; unraced on softer); evens when she reappeared for the 1,000 Guineas back at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) and she made all, strongly challenged but pulling 1l clear; shapes as if sure to stay beyond 1m, even though she's by the miler Night Of Thunder and her smart dam looked best up to 1m1f; the proven class act in this field but with stamina for 1m4f the big question.

13/8

1st

2

(1)

4th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket

Desert Flower

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Godolphin filly whose unbeaten 2yo campaign comprised four wins by an aggregate of almost 17l, the last two in the May Hill at Doncaster (good) and Group 1 Fillies' Mile at this venue (good to soft); sparkled in a racecourse gallop here last month and commands major respect.

5/4

1st

2

(1)

4th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket

Desert Flower

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Godolphin filly whose unbeaten 2yo campaign comprised four wins by an aggregate of almost 17l, the last two in the May Hill at Doncaster (good) and Group 1 Fillies' Mile at this venue (good to soft); sparkled in a racecourse gallop here last month and commands major respect.

5/4

13/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 2131

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Relished the return to a longer trip in Listed race at Tipperary (7.5f, good to firm) last month, winning by 4l and taking record to 2-4; placed in Curragh Group 2 the time before, despite finding 6f inadequate; improving and has a useful rating; deserted by Ryan Moore but can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

(4)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Ascot

January

9st 0lb

J: W J Lee

T: A P O’Brien

Close second against her own sex in two 1m Group 1s this summer, beaten a head by Fallen Angel on the second occasion; there have been possible excuses on her last two starts, namely cheekpieces then very soft ground, but she's still hard to fancy after those below-par runs; a tongue-tie goes on.

50/1

11

(7)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

16:25 Leopardstown

January

9st 2lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: A P O’Brien

Ended last season with second to Desert Flower in the Fillies' Mile; well beaten in the Irish 1,000 Guineas on reappearance; showed that to be all wrong when third to Cercene in the Coronation and runner-up in the Falmouth; best effort yet when making Fallen Angel pull out all the stops in the Prix Rothschild.

15/8

7

(1)

11th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket (July)

January

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Ballydoyle filly who needed her reappearance run in the Irish 1,000 Guineas; very consistent otherwise and duly bounced back with a good third in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot (good to firm); the pick of the 3yos on ratings and another step forward is possible; solid.

15/8

9/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 221

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
No match for comfortable winners, including Desert Flower, in her first two races but subsequently recorded a 4l success at Sandown (again over 7f; good) and looks the type to improve further, especially now upped in distance; young trainer's biggest wins have been with fillies; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

13

(11)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Ascot

Flight

9st 0lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Ollie Sangster

Excellent second in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket (1m, good to firm; acts on good to soft) on seasonal return; the one to beat on that form but she's regressed in three outings since, including when well behind some of these at Sandown (1m, soft) five weeks ago.

5/1

13

(13)

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Flight

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ollie Sangster

Maiden winner here last year who was an excellent second in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket (1m, good to firm; acts on good to soft) on seasonal return; failed to back up that effort in the Irish equivalent or the Coronation Stakes but this drop in class could prove liberating back from ten weeks off.

13/2

8th

7

(11)

20th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Flight

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ollie Sangster

Good second in the 1,000 Guineas (good to firm) on seasonal debut, despite racing in the smaller group away from the main action for most of the way; failed to back up that effort in the Irish equivalent (finished sixth) but may rebound, having been very consistent (221332) otherwise.

16/1

16/1

Form: 1

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Got up close home at Newmarket (7f, good) eight weeks ago for a winning debut; has a lot to find on bare figures upped sharply in class but is open to improvement and the longer distance looks a plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

10

(8)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Miss Tonnerre

9st 5lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

0-7 since winning debut but has been set some stiff tasks and there was enough promise in her last-time-out fourth (1m3f, here) to suggest she could soon double her tally; hood retained; market informative on return.

12/1

10th

10

(2)

17th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 1

16:00 Yarmouth

Miss Tonnerre

8st 13lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Really encouraging fourth behind the subsequent 1,000 Guineas winner in last year's May Hill at Doncaster (1m, good) one year ago is starting to fade from the memory and she's beaten a total of two horses in three starts this year; needs to turn the ship around.

33/1

9/2

Form: 31

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal of her yard's smart 1m-1m4f winner Magic Wand; won well at Tipperary (7.5f, good to firm) last month on second start and looks open to any amount of further progress; it's interesting that Ryan Moore sides with this filly over Listed-winning stablemate January; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(3)

16th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 40y

18:50 Killarney

Ecstatic

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Sole win came in Tipperary 2yo maiden but career-best on seasonal return when second in Group 3 Park Express Stakes (1m, good) at the Curragh in April; 1m4f seemed beyond her in Group 2 Ribblesdale on latest and now reverts to 1m; claims.

15/2

3

(9)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Ecstatic

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Sole win from seven starts came in Tipperary maiden last year and on the face of it she's down the Ballydoyle pecking order; soundly beaten when Listed fifth at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) last time but she didn't enjoy a clear run and her pedigree suggests she will relish this step up in trip, with her dam having won this race for connections in 2018; stayed on well for second in Group 3 Park Express Stakes (1m, good) in April; interesting outsider.

12/1

3

(4)

17th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Newbury

Ecstatic

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Seems some way down the pecking order at Ballydoyle but is a useful sort all the same, having performed well in Curragh Group 3 on reappearance; soft ground provides an excuse for lesser effort later in April; leading player on ratings.

11/4

Form: 121

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Has shown progressive form over 7f while shaping as if this extra furlong will suit; took her record to 2-3 with success in soft-ground Prestige Stakes at Goodwood most recently and that Group 3 event supplied the May Hill winner last year; debut win came on good to firm; possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(2)

25th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 195y

Class 1

15:45 Carlisle

Anshoda

9st 2lb

J: David Egan

T: David Loughnane

Well beaten in German Group 2 (1m, soft) last month on sole outing this year but shaped as though she may have needed the run; won the Group 3 Prestige Fillies' Stakes at Goodwood (7f, soft) last August and it will be no surprise if she bounces back with a big performance.

13/2

6th

1

(1)

12th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Anshoda

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: David Loughnane

Has shown progressive form over 7f while shaping as if this extra furlong will suit; took her record to 2-3 with success in soft-ground Prestige Stakes at Goodwood most recently and that Group 3 event supplied the May Hill winner last year; debut win came on good to firm; possibilities.

8/1

1st

2

(7)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Goodwood

Anshoda

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: David Loughnane

Now looks a bargain at 5,000gns (bought in May), as after a successful debut at Lingfield (7f, good to firm; narrowly) she defied odds of 66-1 and a bad draw to finish second behind a stylish winner in a Listed race at Sandown (good); the third has since performed quite well in a Group 3; needs respecting.

15/2

40/1

Form: 11 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Brings a 2-2 profile having won at Carlisle (7f, good to soft) and Goodwood (1m, soft), beating Manila Thriller by a neck on much worse terms last time; however, faces a tough task on bare ratings and good/faster ground would be an unknown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

16

(10)

12th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

15:10 Naas

Serving With Style

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Hasn't added to pair of 2yo wins last year (also Group 2-placed) in a light 3yo campaign in good-class company, latest when plenty keen in Newmarket Listed last month; hard to be confident in but yard's runners always respected.

14/1

10th

14

(9)

26th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Newmarket

Serving With Style

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Seems suited by soft/good to soft; has fairly weak claims on her form in a light 2025 campaign; however, ran well in the Rockfel on this card 12 months ago and is quite interesting back here.

20/1

Form: 71322 BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Consistent at novice level since winning a Chester seller but has the worst chance at the weights in this markedly stiffer company; much worse off with Serving With Style on Goodwood running last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(5)

9th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 37y

Class 5

16:12 Bath

Manila Thriller

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jack Channon

Hasn't threatened another success since getting up late on at Windsor in July (1m2f, good to firm; other wins on good); coming back in grade can help, though.

12/1

7th

7

(3)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 17y

Class 4

15:55 Epsom

Manila Thriller

9st 3lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jack Channon

Recorded her third win when swooping late at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) last month but she's not got involved in two subsequent runs; needs to step up again and she wouldn't want this to be tactical.

12/1

11

(2)

7th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

20:30 Chepstow

Manila Thriller

8st 3lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Jack Channon

Knocking at the door prior to winning in small field at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) last month; soundly beaten fourth at Sandown since but that wasn't run to suit her hold-up style; this 3yo has an each-way chance.

20/1

16/1

Form: 13

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Nice prospect for Gemma Tutty, having shown a good attitude to win at York then performed well in the Sweet Solera (Group 3) at Newmarket, both over 7f on good to firm; has more on her plate in this field but may improve further, with the longer trip likely to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(8)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

11:56 Catterick

Elsies Ruan

9st 10lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Gemma Tutty

Won debut in big-field 7f novice at York last July and third in a Group 3 next time; however, she's not approached the latter form in her four starts since, on handicap debut latest; down 5lb but questions to answer.

25/1

1

(2)

29th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 3

15:35 Hamilton

Elsies Ruan

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Gemma Tutty

Winning debut in big-field 7f novice at York last July and subsequently Group 3-placed at Newmarket; some promise on reappearance at York in May but she finished remote at Salisbury (1m2f; also Listed) in August; switches to a handicap with something to prove.

14/1

6

(5)

13th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 201y

Class 1

16:30 Salisbury

Elsies Ruan

8st 10lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Gemma Tutty

Won debut and third in Newmarket Group 3 (7f, good to firm) last August; disappointing in Group 2 May Hill at Doncaster (1m) on final 2yo run and below form in Listed race at York (1m, good to firm) in May on her only start this term but made headway to dispute the lead over 2f out in the latter and may have needed the race; lightly raced and probably bred to stay 1m2f.

16/1

Non-runners

Biniorella Bay

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.00
Straight Forecast £4.10
Tricast £16.42
Trifecta £22.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Desert Flower

RP RATINGS:

Anshoda

POSTDATA:

January

D Express:

Elsie's Ruan

The Star:

Ecstatic

Daily Mail:

Flight

NEWMARKET:

Desert Flower

The Times:

Desert Flower

Telegraph:

Desert Flower

The Guardian:

Desert Flower

Daily Mirror:

Desert Flower

The Sun:

Desert Flower

TOPSPEED:

Anshoda

Daily Record:

January