2023 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket: assessing the key contenders for the Group 1 contest
Inspiral is a warm favourite for Saturday's Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes (3.15) at Newmarket and is set to be partnered by Frankie Dettori, the legendary rider seeking another Group 1 victory in the closing stages of his hugely successful retirement year.
Cheveley Park's four-year-old beat the boys last time and is back against her own sex on the Rowley Mile, but an interesting French contender and some unexposed fillies at the top level await in opposition. Here we profile the leading contenders for the race.
Inspiral
Trainer: John and Thady Gosden
Form figures: 16-251
Best Rating Post Rating: 123
Odds: 10-11f
Inspiral is no bigger than evens to win her fifth Group 1 and her Sun Chariot claims are obvious. Main market rival Mqse De Sevingne is the only horse within touching distance on official ratings (Inspiral is rated 118, Mqse De Sevigne 117, the rest 110 or lower).
She returned to near her best when beating the boys in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, with her Racing Post Rating of 122 only 1lb below her career-best effort in the 2022 Coronation Stakes.
Good to firm ground will not be a concern and she is one from one on the Rowley Mile. Back against her own sex, she is set to go off at skinny odds under Frankie Dettori.
Mqse De Sevigne
Trainer: Andre Fabre
Form figures: 22211
Best Racing Post Rating: 119
Odds: 7-2
Andre Fabre claimed the Sun Chariot with Esoterique in 2015 and his contender Mqse De Sevigne adds intrigue to the Group 1.
She has been a revelation this season, winning the Prix Rothschild and Prix Jean Romanet by narrow margins, and now bids for a Group 1 hat-trick.
The four-year-old has a little bit to find with Inspiral on ratings and is unproven on good to firm ground, but her defeat of top-level winners Via Sistina and Above The Curve last time means she demands plenty of respect.
Meditate
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Form figures: 62404
Best Racing Post Rating: 113
Odds: 15-2
Aidan O'Brien has won the Sun Chariot three times and all three were of the Classic generation. Meditate ticks the age requirement, being a three-year-old, but there is a feeling we have not seen the best of her this season.
She was brilliant as a juvenile, winning at Royal Ascot and the Breeders' Cup and being placed in both the Moyglare and Cheveley Park. However, she's yet to win in five starts this term and, her comfortable second to Tahiyra in the Irish 1,000 Guineas aside, she's not really been threatening to.
Ryan Moore reverted to the waiting tactics that fared so well in the Breeders' Cup when she finished fourth in the Matron last time, running on but never reaching the leaders. If connections opt to stick with the patient plan, there is a chance we could see an improved effort.
Heredia
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Form figures: 22411
Best Racing Post Rating: 112
Odds: 9-1
Heredia has been a slow burner, but she is set for a first crack at Group 1 company on Saturday after being supplemented on Monday.
Her Listed win at Haydock in August produced a career-best RPR of 112, and she followed that up in Group 3 company at Sandown last month with Saturday's potential rivals Coppice and Roman Mist well beaten.
After her Atalanta Stakes win, Hannon said she was "clearly in the form of her life" so it's little surprise connections have opted to roll the Group 1 dice. She is a lively contender.
Verdict
It is hard to look past Inspiral, although those with long enough memories will recall a similar sentiment before she was beaten at 1-7 in the Falmouth Stakes on the July course last year. She is not necessarily one to rely on at short odds so the each-way angle – or without the favourite if preferred – might be the improving Heredia for Richard Hannon.
Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes (3.15 Saturday, Newmarket)
Paddy Power: 10-11 Inspiral, 7-2 Mqse De Sevigne, 15-2 Meditate, 9 Heredia, 10 Coppice, 16 Random Harvest, 25 Goldana, 33 Roman Mist
Read these next:
'I'm not tipping her at odds-on' - why this horse can win the 2023 Sun Chariot Stakes on Saturday
2023 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket: the runners, the odds, the verdict
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