'She may be in business' - key quotes and analysis for the Group 3 Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster

Andrew Balding after Morando's Chester win

Andrew Balding: trainer has won this race three times since 2018Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Andrew Balding has won three of the last six runnings of the Group 3 Sceptre Stakes and the trainer is represented again by Topanga, who gained black type when bolting up at Baden-Baden a fortnight ago. There has to be doubts about whether that level of form is strong enough for her to play a part but she’s progressing steadily.

The usually consistent Doom didn’t run her race in the Atalanta Stakes but she’s the type to bounce back. While seven furlongs on drying ground at Doncaster could be on the sharp side at this stage of her career, she’s a potential pace angle in a contest without an obvious front-runner.

Fair Angellica is the other one that could make the running. She has been well found at the top of the market after her Listed success in France but she was a non-runner when engaged at Glorious Goodwood on account of the good to firm ground and her turf wins have both come with soft in the going.

Great Generation has to carry a penalty for her Group 3 win at Lingfield earlier in the campaign and she didn’t cut any ice at Group 1 level when tailed off in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last month. However, Marco Botti’s filly was beaten only a length at York two starts ago and the return to seven furlongs may help her get back on track.
Analysis by Phill Anderson

What they say

Simon Crisford, joint-trainer of Choisya
She’s back in trip but there are limited opportunities for fillies like her. She’s been training nicely into it and she deserves to take her chance.

Marco Botti, trainer of Great Generation
She has a penalty to carry for winning the Chartwell Stakes at Lingfield in the spring, which was strong form, and you can forgive her run in France last time where the ground was a bit rough. She likes top of the ground and, looking at the weather forecast, she may be in business.

Richard Hughes, trainer of Fair Angellica
We’ve been delighted with her since Deauville. We missed Goodwood because of the ground. She’s on an upward curve and is straightforward, which tactically makes it a bit easier.

Ed Walker, trainer of Key To Cotai
She's better than she showed at York, where she sulked a bit. She's come out of that in cracking form and it would be good to get some more black type with her.

Alex Elliott, spokesman for Valmont, owners of Queen Of Mougins
She has a similar profile to Nigiri, who won the fillies’ handicap she was second in a year ago at York before finishing second in this. She posted a top effort when just touched off on the Knavesmire and there's a lot to like about her chances.

Tim Palin, racing manager of Middleham Park Racing, owners of Ziggy’s Dream
She’s done nothing but improve her whole life and she ran a massive race to be third in the Oak Tree at Goodwood last time. She should like the track and we expect her to outrun her odds again.
Reporting by David Milnes

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