October 05 / 14.40 Newmarket

14.40

Soft

Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares) (British Champions Series)

  • Prize money: £155952.5
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
ITV
View Course
Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares) (British Champions Series)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: -34341 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Arguably unlucky not to win the 1,000 Guineas and she has run consistently well since, gaining a deserved and comfortable success in Group 3 at Sandown (1m, good; 13-8 favourite) at the end of August; may not have reached her ceiling just yet and this return to Group 1 company is fully justified.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

(9)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Ascot

Tamfana

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Menuisier

Won the Group 1 Sun Chariot (1m, good to soft) against fillies and mares last October before third in this (soft; beaten about 6l); some strong form in defeat in Group 1 and Group 2 races during a light campaign this season but there's a suspicion she's vulnerable against males in this hot Group 1.

25/1

7th

9

(6)

17th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Tamfana

8st 13lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Menuisier

Very smart filly whose record of 141132 over 1m features a success in the Sun Chariot and a placed effort in the QEII last year; ran creditably, beaten just under 2l, behind Dancing Gemini at Sandown on reappearance when carrying a penalty; now gets a 5lb pull with that opponent and appears to have a fighting chance in the rematch; consistent and holds solid claims.

9/2

7th

9

(6)

17th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Tamfana

8st 13lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Menuisier

Very smart filly whose record of 141132 over 1m features a success in the Sun Chariot and a placed effort in the QEII last year; ran creditably, beaten just under 2l, behind Dancing Gemini at Sandown on reappearance when carrying a penalty; now gets a 5lb pull with that opponent and appears to have a fighting chance in the rematch; consistent and holds solid claims.

9/2

3/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 11-463 CD

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Six-time Group/Grade 1 winner, including this race in 2023 in convincing fashion; not at her best so far this year but she has gone up a notch with each run, making late headway after a typically sluggish start when third in the Jacques le Marois at Deauville on her most recent outing; not one to trust implicitly these days but she'd be the one to beat if returning to her peak.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(1)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Newmarket

Inspiral

9st 5lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Six-time Group/Grade 1 winner, including this race in 2023 in convincing fashion; not at her best so far this year but she has gone up a notch with each run, making late headway after a typically sluggish start when third in the Jacques le Marois at Deauville on her most recent outing; not one to trust implicitly these days but she'd be the one to beat if returning to her peak.

3/1

6th

10

(10)

19th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:25 Ascot

Inspiral

8st 13lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

The first five of her Group 1 wins were over 1m, including at this meeting in 2022, but she also grabbed the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita last November on her first attempt at 1m2f, switched outside entering the short straight and surging past eight rivals to lead in the final stride; she wasn't the most settled through that race and failed to muster a challenge in a strange Lockinge at Newbury (1m) on reappearance, but huge shout if back to her best.

9/4

4th

11

(1)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Inspiral

8st 13lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

Acts on good to soft, below par once on soft; six-time Group 1 winner, including twice in the Marois; beat Big Rock by just over 1l in the 2023 running of that race, then justified favouritism in the Sun Chariot (readily) and the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (upped to 1m2f; led close home); highly respected.

2/1

Form: -05421

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Well held behind Elmalka in the 1,000 Guineas, but unlike that rival she has improved since, edged out only narrowly in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood in August before beating colts and geldings with plenty in hand in the Group 3 Strensall at York (1m1f) six weeks ago; seems to handle most types of ground; may still be improving; very solid candidate.
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

8/1

Form: 1-3144 CD

Last run: 65 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Came from off a strong pace when winning the 1,000 Guineas over C&D (good ground; 28-1) in the spring; has run respectably, although with no obvious excuses, when fourth in the Coronation and Nassau Stakes since; should be thereabouts again but she'll need a personal best to land a second Group 1.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(2)

11th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket (July)

Elmalka

9st 9lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Successful in last year's 1,000 Guineas but the cards dropped perfectly (came off strong pace) and she is 0-5 since; no match for Cinderella's Dream on the other course here on penultimate start; chance of doubling her Group 1 tally largely depends on how the race pans out.

12/1

2nd

3

(3)

4th May 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Newmarket

Elmalka

9st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

prominent, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and challenging over 1f out, kept on but no chance with winner inside final furlong

9/4

Form: 3236-9 D

Last run: 189 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
High-class mare, a triple Group 1 winner from 1m-10.5f; better than ever in 2023 but signed off that campaign with a poor run at Ascot and could finish only ninth of 16 in the Dubai Turf at Meydan on her sole outing so far this year; now returns from six months off with a bit to prove, but like her stablemate Inspiral she'll be a major player if rediscovering her spark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(9)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:55 Ascot

Nashwa

9st 4lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

High-class performer on her day, being a triple Group 1 winner (1m-10.5f); however, there has a doubt over current form, having been well below best in three runs since finishing third in last year's Irish Champion Stakes; yet to score on ground slower than good to soft.

40/1

5th

2

(3)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Newmarket

Nashwa

9st 5lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

High-class mare, a triple Group 1 winner from 1m-10.5f; better than ever in 2023 but signed off that campaign with a poor run at Ascot and could finish only ninth of 16 in the Dubai Turf at Meydan on her sole outing so far this year; now returns from six months off with a bit to prove, but like her stablemate Inspiral she'll be a major player if rediscovering her spark.

9/2

6th

8

(3)

21st Oct 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Nashwa

9st 3lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

dwelt start, towards rear, no impression

4/1

OUR TIP
6th
3 (2)
Darnation

25/1

Form: 5-0125 D BF

Last run: 62 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
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.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.20
Straight Forecast £11.38
Trifecta £40.10

Selections

The Times:

Tamfana

RP RATINGS:

Inspiral

SPOTLIGHT:

See The Fire

TOPSPEED:

Nashwa

Daily Mail:

Darnation

Daily Mirror:

Tamfana

The Sun:

Tamfana

The Star:

Tamfana

Daily Record:

Tamfana

Telegraph:

See The Fire

The Guardian:

Nashwa

POSTDATA:

Inspiral

NEWMARKET:

Inspiral

D Express:

Inspiral