July 26 / 14.20 Ascot

14.20

Good

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

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

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 6-0132 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Has had plenty of racing but has been better than ever this summer, following her third in the Kensington Palace (handicap) at the Royal meeting here (straight 1m, good to firm) with an excellent second to Royal Dress in a 1m Pontefract Listed event on good; no match for James Tate's filly, though, and she'll require another career best to place again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(5)

23rd May 2026

Soft

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

13:45 Haydock

Cheshire Dancer

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

22-1 winner of the Group 3 Valiant Stakes at Ascot (1m, good) last July and good fourth in US Grade 3 (1m, firm) next time; of interest on that form but tailed off in first-time cheekpieces (retained) on reappearance at Newmarket (1m1f, good to firm) three weeks ago; unraced on slow ground.

25/1

10th

5

(13)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Newmarket

Cheshire Dancer

9st 2lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

Developed into a very useful sort last term, notably Group/Grade 3 performances at Ascot (won) and Kentucky Downs (ran well); chance of landing this prize depends on the effects of first-time headgear.

16/1

1

(7)

4th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Newmarket

Cheshire Dancer

9st 5lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Hugo Palmer

Made her name as a handicapper but popped up at 22-1 in a Group 3 at Ascot (1m, good) in July and was unlucky not to finish closer in America last time (1m Grade 3m, firm); however, whether she's up to this class is debatable, and rain could scupper things anyway (unraced on anything easier than good).

25/1

9/1

Form: 18-255

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won 7f Group 3 at Leopardstown last July; began the new campaign with a satisfactory second in a 9.5f Listed race at Gowran; respectable fifth in 1m Group 2 and 1m2f Group 1 events at the Curragh since; raced on only on good ground since her debut success on good to yielding; each-way claims back in a Group 3.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(1)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

15:20 Curragh

Jancis

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: W McCreery

Smart form in winning her first two races at three; failed to add to her tally last season; posted a career-best to win a 1m1f Group 2 event at Newmarket three weeks ago; has the beating of Francophone on that running; strong contender if she can replicate that form on slower ground; seems ideally suited by a quick surface.

7/2

1st

8

(3)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Newmarket

Jancis

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: W McCreery

Irish mare whose career commenced with two Leopardstown wins, including in Group 3; 0-7 since but has continued to show useful form; unlikely to get back on the scoresheet in this field, however.

14/1

Form: /312-6

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Progressive in 7f handicaps last summer; off for nearly a year prior to a respectable sixth of ten in 7f Chelmsford Listed race on her reappearance 25 days ago; entitled to come for that outing but needs to find plenty of improvement for the step up to 1m if she's to get heavily involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

10

(5)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 1

16:10 Doncaster

Lou Lous Gift

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Headstrong 4yo who was allowed to stride on in a handicap at Newbury (7f, good to firm) last month and posted a career best to win; unraced on slow ground; further improvement is needed back up in grade but she's lightly raced and unexposed under front-running tactics; not discounted.

8/1

1st

4

(3)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newbury

Lou Lous Gift

9st 11lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Progressive in 7f handicaps last summer; off for nearly a year prior to a respectable sixth of ten in 7f Chelmsford Listed race last month, followed by eighth of nine when 25-1 in a 1m Group 3; should be much more competitive on this return to a handicap.

8/1

Form: 13-341 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Landed a Group 3 in Ireland last July and back in that sort of form when the ready winner of a 1m Pontefract Listed race (good) 18 days ago, readily quickening 3.25l clear of the reopposing Cheshire Dancer; went without the hood she'd worn since the start of 2024 at Pontefract and it's left off again; leading form claims but is up against some progressive 3yos.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(4)

26th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:20 Ascot

Royal Dress

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: James Tate

Landed a Group 3 in Ireland last July and back in that sort of form when the ready winner of a 1m Pontefract Listed race (good) 18 days ago, readily quickening 3.25l clear of the reopposing Cheshire Dancer; went without the hood she'd worn since the start of 2024 at Pontefract and it's left off again; leading form claims but is up against some progressive 3yos.

7/2

1st

8

(2)

8th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

15:10 Pontefract

Royal Dress

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Tate

Form since wearing a hood features 1m Listed and 1m1f Group 3 wins on British/Irish soil last term; has made the frame in Group races at York and Epsom this season; major contender in this field, provided the removal of headgear doesn't have a negative effect.

9/2

5

(2)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

13:00 Epsom

Royal Dress

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: James Tate

Listed winner on soft last May and she also won a five-runner Group 3 at the Curragh (1m1f, good; last to first) last July; shaped okay when third to runaway winner in York Group 2 (1m2f, good to firm) on last month's reappearance; it's hard to say whether she or Chic Colombine suffered the worst nightmare run in this race last year but both ran on well to be placed and she's firmly in the mix again if getting sufficient breaks.

4/1

Form: 11-317 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Followed reappearance third to the reopposing Glittering Surf and Bermuda Longtail in a 1m Kempton conditions event by making a winning start to turf career in a 1m Chantilly Listed race (good to soft) in May; only seventh of 12 when stepped up to an extended 1m2f for the Group 1 Prix de Diane back there (good to soft again) six weeks ago but it was another improved RPR; the stable has won this twice since 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(7)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Newmarket

American Gal

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

Steady progress culminated in close second to Cheshire Dancer in Group 3 at Ascot (1m) on King George day last year; not in the same form since and this is a stiff task even if she rebounds.

33/1

7th

2

(10)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:13 Kempton (AW)

American Gal

9st 2lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Ed Walker

C&D winner; advanced her form last year, winning a Listed race in France and finishing second in a Group 3 at Ascot; ended her 3yo campaign with two lesser efforts but she has run well on her seasonal return in both seasons of racing; each-way shout.

16/1

8

(12)

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

American Gal

9st 0lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

AW novice winner who was tackling turf for the first time when landing a 1m Chantilly Listed race (good to soft) in May; not disgraced when seventh in Group 1 Prix de Diane over an extended 1m2f back there in June and went down by only a neck in a 1m Ascot Group 3 since, with Cajole behind her in fifth; needs considering.

14/1

Form: 21-227

Last run: 49 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Split Glittering Surf and American Gal in 1m Kempton conditions event on reappearance and improved again when close second in York Listed event (1m, good to firm) in May; disappointing in Group 3 at Epsom (8.5f, good) last month but was perhaps unsuited by the track; could bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

16

(8)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 1

16:10 Doncaster

Bermuda Longtail

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Close second in Listed race for 3yo fillies at York (1m, good to firm) in May; however, she's finished down the field in Group 3 races on her next three starts and needs to turn things around.

25/1

7

(9)

26th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:20 Ascot

Bermuda Longtail

8st 11lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Split Glittering Surf and American Gal in 1m Kempton conditions event on reappearance and improved again when close second in York Listed event (1m, good to firm) in May; disappointing in Group 3 at Epsom (8.5f, good) last month but was perhaps unsuited by the track; could bounce back.

12/1

Form: 41222 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Has advanced her RPR with each start, finishing second of 25 in the Sandringham Handicap over the straight 1m here at the Royal meeting (good to firm) before finding only another very progressive sort too strong when stepped up to Listed level at Sandown (1m, good to firm again) three weeks ago; likely capable of better again and another bold show is likely for last year's winning yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(13)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Ascot

Cajole

9st 0lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won her maiden on AW in the spring and has proved consistent since, including in course handicap at the Royal meeting and at Listed/Group 3 level; quite a keen goer and this drop to 7f for the time since her debut could be a good move; acts on soft; gets the vote.

5/1

11

(1)

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Cajole

9st 0lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Improved again when going down by 1l to Blue Bolt in C&D Listed event (good to firm) in July; her run of progressive form came to a halt when only fifth (American Gal second) in 1m Ascot Group 3 last time but she raced more freely than ideal.

11/1

Form: 1-55

Last run: 36 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Comfortably justified favouritism in novice event at Salisbury (7f, heavy) on only 2yo start; pitched into the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) on reappearance and acquitted herself very well to be beaten only 2.5l into fifth; another good effort at Group 1 level when filling the same position in the Coronation Stakes over C&D (good to firm) last month; has the potential for even better after only three starts and major player with her sights lowered slightly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(5)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Newmarket

Chantilly Lace

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Lightly raced; good fifth in the 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes prior to close third in Ascot Group 3 won by Cheshire Dancer; below par in final 3yo start but consistent otherwise and may rebound.

9/1

5th

5

(6)

17th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Chantilly Lace

8st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Debut win was on heavy; managed to hold her own in the 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes (both on good to firm) before a front-running third in a Group 3 at Ascot in July (1m, good; beaten half a length); major player dropped into a Listed race and could well approve of getting back on slower ground.

5/2

9

(2)

26th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:20 Ascot

Chantilly Lace

8st 11lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Comfortably justified favouritism in novice event at Salisbury (7f, heavy) on only 2yo start; pitched into the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) on reappearance and acquitted herself very well to be beaten only 2.5l into fifth; another good effort at Group 1 level when filling the same position in the Coronation Stakes over C&D (good to firm) last month; has the potential for even better after only three starts and major player with her sights lowered slightly.

3/1

Form: 1-15 D

Last run: 71 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won easily on debut at Kempton (1m) in December and made it 2-2 when coming from the back of the pack to beat Bermuda Longtail and American Gal in a conditions race back there (1m again) in March; didn't help herself by racing freely when behind Andrew Balding's filly on turf debut in a 1m York Listed race (good to firm) in May; given time since; retains potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(8)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:13 Kempton (AW)

Glittering Surf

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

C&D win on debut in December 2024; made a winning reappearance on this card 12 months ago, again over this trip; two subsequent turf defeats in Listed/Group 3 company suggest she has her work cut out but returning to the AW could spark something extra.

8/1

10

(6)

26th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:20 Ascot

Glittering Surf

8st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Owen Burrows

Won easily on debut at Kempton (1m) in December and made it 2-2 when coming from the back of the pack to beat Bermuda Longtail and American Gal in a conditions race back there (1m again) in March; didn't help herself by racing freely when behind Andrew Balding's filly on turf debut in a 1m York Listed race (good to firm) in May; given time since; retains potential.

10/1

4

(3)

16th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 1

15:13 York

Glittering Surf

9st 2lb

J: David Probert

T: Owen Burrows

Won easily on debut at Kempton (1m, AW) in December and made it 2-2 when coming from the back of the pack to beat Bermuda Longtail by 1l there (1m) in March in a fillies' conditions race; didn't look the finished article last time and this Coronation Stakes entry has star potential.

100/30

Non-runners

Sunfall, Pina Sonata

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £274.90
Straight Forecast £179.48
Tricast £610.43
Trifecta £1425.70

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Pina Sonata

SPOTLIGHT:

Chantilly Lace

Daily Mail:

Jancis

RP RATINGS:

Royal Dress

The Times:

Cajole

Telegraph:

Pina Sonata

The Star:

Pina Sonata

Daily Record:

Pina Sonata

TOPSPEED:

Chantilly Lace

POSTDATA:

Chantilly Lace

Daily Mirror:

Chantilly Lace

D Express:

Jancis

The Sun:

Jancis

The Guardian:

Royal Dress