Talent and Dalkala head a top class, nine-runner Fillies & Mares

Talent with jockey Richard Hughes after their Investec Oaks victory. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Talent, the Investec Oaks winner and Ladbrokes St Leger runner-up, and Dalkala, who won a Group 1 last Sunday on Arc Day at Longchamp, make a formidable duo in the £500,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, race three on the QIPCO British Champions Day card at Ascot on Saturday.

Dalkala was staying on strongly to get up in the very last stride over a mile and a quarter in the Opera and she has won over an extended mile and a half in heavy ground last year.

Saturday’s mile and a half trip should be ideal for the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained filly and she looks to have a strong chance of winning two Group 1 races in the space of 13 days.

Talent will no pushoever, however.

She was supremely impressive in the Investec Oaks at the end of May and hated the fast ground when finishing last in the Irish Oaks in July.

She came back strongly, however, running a great race to be second to Leading Light in the Ladbrokes St Leger and she should appreciate the soft ground at Ascot.

Hot Snap, meanwhile, who flopped when favourite for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas back in early May, looks to be crying out for this trip.

Her last two starts have been over a mile and a quarter and she was staying on strongly both times when third in the Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes, where she did not look at home on the track, and in Ireland in the Blandford Stakes.

She has the class, but all has not gone smoothly with her this season so that remains a small concern.

Nymphea, a Group 1 winner in Germany, and Belle De Crecy, who defeated Hot Snap in the Blandford Stakes and was supplemented for this race on Monday, both have chances in a very open-looking race.

An unexposed Newmarket filly must also get a mention, Waila.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, she won a Listed race by 10 lengths at Newmarket in July, but has been off with an injury since. She’s reported in top form now though.

The Lark is also a worthy candidate for trainer Michael Bell having won the Park Stakes at Doncaster last month and she finished third behind Talent in the Investec Oaks.

Seal Of Approval is also well-regarded, but the biggest threat to the two market leaders could be South Africa’s star filly, Igugu.

She ran well in her comeback race over a mile at Newmarket last month and is reported to be in fantastic form by her trainer, Mike De Kock.

It has not been a stunning year for her, but she was in season in Dubai and her runs there can be ignored.

She’s back to her best now, has won on soft ground, has been working very well on the gallops and should appreciate the mile and a half trip.

Upgraded to Group 1 status this year, it’s a highly competitive race and promises to be a real treat before the two huge races that follow. 

To view the declarations and race information, CLICK HERE.