'She was always going to pick up the leader' - Stay Alert reels in Running Lion despite runner-up hitting 1.01 in running

After being matched at 1.01 on the Betfair Exchange when looking likely to land the Group 2 William Hill Dahlia Stakes just over a furlong from home, Running Lion was comprehensively outstayed in the closing stages by the Hughie Morrison-trained Stay Alert in the 1m1f contest.

Sent off the 6-4 favourite, Running Lion travelled strongly on the pace before kicking clear on the run into the Dip under Oisin Murphy. There was £2,800 matched on the market leader at 1.01, but the grey filly wandered around in the closing stages while the David Egan-ridden Stay Alert picked up strongly on hitting the front to cross the line three and a half lengths to the good.

Stay Alert was a regular in Group 1 races over further last season, and Morrison was quietly confident her superior stamina would win the day.

He said: “We looked after her as a youngster and didn’t run her on fast ground too often. But she’s always had a serious engine and is from a family who stay well.

“David said he was always going to pick up the leader but didn’t want to go after her going into the Dip. I had said to him before the race that if she was still in contention as they hit the rising ground she would win.”

Stay Alert beats Running Lion in the Dahlia StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Stay Alert is set to have her sights raised again after this victory, although her appearance on the racecourse this season was not always assured.

“She was going to be retired, but then her owners had a change of heart and decided to have another go,” said Morrison. “I had actually thought it would be a good idea to retire her as she’d make the most beautiful broodmare, she’s got everything you would want.

“The obvious next race is the Pretty Polly at the Curragh, in which she was a very unlucky second last year. We’ll probably enter her in the Eclipse, and other races like that.”

France for Friendly

There were no Betfred Oaks prices floating around after Friendly Soul made all the running to win the Listed William Hill Pretty Polly Stakes for good reason, as she is not entered at Epsom and may well tackle the French equivalent instead.

Kieran Shoemark took the race by the horns on the 10-1 shot to register his most significant win for John and Thady Gosden since becoming the Clarehaven team's number one jockey.

Friendly Soul was bringing a win in a mile novice at Kempton before Christmas to the table in the 1m2f contest, and stuck to her guns from the Bushes to see off proven course-and-distance winner and 4-6 favourite Kalpana.

Friendly Soul: made it two from two for John and Thady GosdenCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The win gave the Gosdens a second Pretty Polly success in a row after Running Lion's victory 12 months earlier, and Shoemark indicated that a trip across the Channel may be next for the daughter of Kingman, who was also the sire of 1,000 Guineas winner Elmalka.

Shoemark said: "It's nice to win such a race, particularly for an owner-breeder such as Mr [George] Strawbridge. She's a progressive filly and it was a big ask to make all the running at Newmarket after her win at Kempton, but she is the ultimate professional and put her head down and battled hard. I'm not sure about the trip, but she stayed very well there and maybe the Prix de Diane might be the race for her."

Kalpana, who is also not entered at Epsom, was beaten a length and a quarter, with third-placed Kitteridge a whopping12 lengths further back in third. 

Breeze breezes home

Mountain Breeze will attempt to emulate her three-parts brother Pinatubo by winning at Royal Ascot after making an impressive debut in the 5f juvenile fillies’ novice.

Pinatubo landed the 2019 Chesham Stakes as part of an unbeaten two-year-old season, and Mountain Breeze will likely tackle the Group 3 Albany Stakes, according to trainer Charlie Appleby.

“I was very pleased with that,” the Godolphin trainer said. “We came here with confidence as her work had been good and she’s a well-bred filly. Her class got her through as she hated every minute of the track. 

“I might look to give her another run for experience, but I think she’s booked herself a place in the Albany at Royal Ascot.”

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