Wednesday’s John Musker Fillies’ Stakes at Yarmouth features Fairy Glen, who is widely regarded as a strong contender.
Day two of Yarmouth’s Eastern Festival closes with the Listed contest, which starts at 3.41 local time. Sky Sports Racing broadcasts every race live.
Fairy Glen’s Numbers
Fairy Glen trains under Simon and Ed Crisford, and her mark sits at 112, which has her topping the ratings. A Group Two winner, she is stepping back down to Listed level for this outing.
The Prix Vicomtesse Vigier run in May produced her most recent form, with a fifth-place finish that came close to winning. If she returns fit enough, that performance gives her clear grounds for optimism.
Rivals in the Field
Tom Marquand’s mount, Rhapsody, is a major force for William Haggas. A dual winner, she has settled for second place in each of her past two races.
Seet has been lightly raced and still has more to give. Sky Safari is entered too, although she has not been seen since her third-place finish in the Group Three Hoppings Stakes at Newcastle.
Ryan Moore’s Return
Ryan Moore has a 24 per cent strike-rate from over 100 rides at Yarmouth. He is heading to Norfolk to ride Enoch in the Goffs Two Million Series Handicap.
John and Thady Gosden are Enoch’s trainers, and the horse is still without a defeat. He extended his unbeaten record to two wins from two starts by overcoming a penalty at Lingfield last month.
Round The Table’s Chance
The horse started off with a maiden victory and then added a novice win to his record before being outrun on his first attempt at handicap company, where he went forward too eagerly. Now, with the tongue-tie taken away, he gets another opportunity.
Many contenders include the reliable El Matador. Point Of Contact lost despite being the favourite at Salisbury and now carries a question mark.
Liberty’s Hall’s Debut
Liberty’s Hall hopes to build on an encouraging debut in the EBF Future Stayers Maiden Stakes. James Owen’s son of Nathaniel showed inexperience when chasing home Sonic Angel on his first start at Kempton last month.
Given natural progression, he should hit the frame.
Nostalgic Warrior and More
Star Performer’s brother Nostalgic Warrior is set to run, and Divine Rhythm should be watched closely in the betting for his first start under William Haggas.
Richard Hughes has a horse worth watching in Daddy Star. His first start saw Chapel Stream finish seventh, and now his trainer is turning to cheekpieces.
The Card in Order
The day’s races break down like this:
- 3.06 Yarmouth: Liberty’s Hall looks to go one better
- 3.41 Yarmouth: Fairy Glen, Seet & Rhapsody clash
- 4.12 Yarmouth: Unbeaten Enoch makes handicap debut
What We Make of It
Fairy Glen’s Group Two record makes her a serious threat at Listed level. Her run behind the winner in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier was close, and she has obvious claims if fit enough.
The threat comes from Rhapsody’s steady performance. She has finished second in two consecutive races, and another such effort would put her right back into contention.
The switch to the turf brings a wildcard in Sky Safari, who finished third in the Group Three Hoppings Stakes at Newcastle, and she appears an each-way player.
Enoch is going out to stay unbeaten with the Gosden team behind him. Ryan Moore’s record at Yarmouth is impressive on its own, and his 24 per cent strike-rate from over 100 rides gives real weight to that reputation.
Verdict: Fairy Glen is the one to beat.
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