Gosden hopes to avoid 'trappy race' for red-hot Falmouth favourite Inspiral

Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (Group 1) | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Connections of Inspiral were richly rewarded for their patient approach at Royal Ascot, following a frustrating spring where targets came and went for last season's champion juvenile filly.

They now appear intent on making up for lost time and have added the Falmouth to her programme, a race which has cut up badly - primarily, it must be assumed - because of the shadow she casts.

"Obviously she took her time to come to hand in the spring so we decided to wait until Royal Ascot where she won the Coronation Stakes in good style," said joint-trainer John Gosden.

"We had the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood in our minds after that but she came out of Ascot so well we decided to point towards this."

Inspiral has course-winning form and a clear class edge against what her four rivals have shown thus far.

But the potentially tactical nature of a five-runner race with no clear pace-provider means Frankie Dettori will need to be on his guard against things turning messy.

"She showed last year when winning on her debut at the track that the July course should not bother her and she has worked nicely on the Cambridge Road Polytrack since her comeback success," said Gosden.

"Obviously she is now taking on the older fillies but with a small field we just hope it doesn't become a trappy race."

Primo Bacio: fifth in last year's FalmouthCredit: Edward Whitaker

What they say

Ed Walker, trainer of Primo Bacio
She got no sort of run in the race 12 months ago yet was still beaten only around a length and a half in fifth place behind Snow Lantern. The race doesn't have the same strength in depth this year. Inspiral is going to be hard to beat but you can't run scared of one horse. It was tremendous to see Primo Bacio come back to form with her third in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. Her confidence is back and she'll step forward significantly for that run as she'd had two respiratory infections beforehand and a lot of time out of fast work.

Christopher Head, trainer of Sibila Spain
The filly is fine. Of course she lacks a race because of what happened at Ascot last time [when she was withdrawn by the starter] but I've worked her since. Inspiral is the filly to beat but we'll be aiming to run our best race. What happened at Ascot was just bad luck and she passed her stalls test brilliantly. We'll ask to go in last and we're very excited to finally see her run in England. It will be interesting to see how the race is run and who leads.

Prosperous Voyage (purple) gives chase to Inspiral in last season's Fillies' MileCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Prosperous Voyage
She is in good shape. We didn't really come up with a reason for her run at Ascot. But we do know that the nature of the July Course will suit her well, based on her previous form, so we're looking forward to running her.

David Probert, rider of Sandrine
She looks like she's come on from every run this year and in herself she looks great at home. I don't think the track at Ascot really suited her, it was only the second time she'd been round a bend. On this track I'm sure she'll give a good account of herself. It looks like it will be a very tactically-run race and we've all got Inspiral to beat but she's in great form.

Friday's Newmarket previews:

1.50 Newmarket: Is former Derby fancy New London thrown in off opening handicap mark?

2.25 Newmarket: Who will come out on top as Royal Ascot races are pitched against each other?

3.00 Newmarket: Can Candleford follow up his stunning success at Royal Ascot in bet365 Trophy?

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