Can unbeaten Formal prove herself latest star filly for master trainer Sir Michael Stoute against O'Brien battalion?

The Rockfel Stakes has grown in stature over the past few seasons. It has produced two Fillies’ Mile winners and even a 1,000 Guineas queen in Cachet. Might we witness another star?

The early market suggests Formal could be the one for the retiring Sir Michael Stoute. The daughter of Dubawi’s dam, Veracious, landed the Falmouth for these connections a few seasons ago and it is always difficult to knock an unbeaten filly.

However, while Formal’s Leicester novice success this month was visually impressive, the time compared unfavourably with the other 7f races on that card and she always had a handy position.

There are plenty of threats if Formal fails to make the requisite improvement up in class. Aidan O’Brien, who is one from four in the Rockfel this decade, saddles two wide-margin maiden winners who already have form in Pattern company. Ryan Moore rode both in their respective assignments at Doncaster and Leopardstown last time and is aboard Ecstatic rather than Bubbling here.

Stumbling upon leaving the stalls did not help Ecstatic's cause in the May Hill and perhaps the mile trip stretched her at this stage of her development, while Bubbling was value to finish second at least in her Listed race after having to wait for a gap up the fair rail.

Of the less heralded fillies in the market, Definitive may be worth a second look for Clive Cox in her first-time hood.

Cox landed the Rockfel in 2020 and Definitive is his first representative since. She was exposed for speed against sprinters when fifth in the Princess Margaret Stakes two months ago and is open to improvement at this new trip as a close relation to Sussex Stakes winner Lightning Spear.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

'She has bags of speed'

Sir Michael Stoute won the first running of the Rockfel Stakes with Top Hope in 1981 and, in his final season with a licence, the master trainer is responsible for this year's unbeaten favourite Formal.

Priced between 14-1 and 20-1 for next season's 1,000 Guineas, Formal made a winning debut in a Newbury maiden in July before making light work of her penalty when following up in a novice event at Leicester 17 days ago. She now faces her acid test stepping into Group company for the first time.

Sir Michael Stoute: "I would like 15 Group horses"

Sir Michael Stoute: saddles unbeaten FormalCredit: Edward Whitaker

"She's done everything we've asked of her," said Stoute's assistant trainer James Savage. "She carried a penalty at Leicester on what was rain-softened ground and had to make her own running, so she'll have learned plenty."

As well as winning on soft ground at Leicester, Formal scored on good to firm at Newbury and Savage's preference would be for the ground at Newmarket not to turn too testing.

"She's been through soft ground in a novice event but this is a different test," he added. "We'll have to see what rain comes because the forecast is a bit indifferent but she's shown she can handle soft.

"She has bags of speed so stretching her out [in distance] wouldn't be the thing to do this year and the Rockfel would be a nice place to finish her season."

What they say

Clive Cox, trainer of Definitive
She ran well at Ascot last time when she looked like another furlong would help and her homework backs that up. I just hope the ground doesn't get too soft.

Oliver St Lawrence, spokesman for Victorious Racing, owners of Duty First and Serving With Style
Duty First definitely doesn't need soft ground but she copes with it. Archie Watson holds her in high regard and she's training nicely. Serving With Style also copes with soft ground and we're hoping she can run into a place.

Ed Walker, trainer of Troia
We'll probably run as long as it doesn't turn heavy. Soft ground scuppered her running in the Prestige Stakes, then the Dick Poole was abandoned and rearranged for a date that was too close to the Rockfel. I slightly regret being so patient but we think she's nice.