'She's been flying at home' - Meade hoping Statement bounces back from Guineas

2.35 Epsom
Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3) | 1m½f | 3yo+ | RTV/ITV

The front-running Maamora will be aided by the track bias but reputation seems to be playing its part in the betting – and not for the first time. Maybe we still haven't seen the best of her.

Maamora was mentioned as a likely Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes contender after her Atalanta Stakes victory at Sandown last summer. Heavy ground put connections off, although the ambitious plan indicates she could be significantly better than this level.

Another filly with a lofty target is Parent's Prayer, who holds an entry in the Group 1 Pretty Polly later this month. She wasn't beaten far in a rough race at Lingfield last time and should relish the step up to a mile and half a furlong.

However, all her best form has come on soft ground. The same can be said for Thank You Next and Queen Kahlua, while Lottie Marie is yet to win on turf.

Nazuna returns from a seven-month layoff after a rare US foray for trainer Roger Varian and needs to prove she has trained on from her juvenile campaign, but her two-length second to Isabella Giles in the Rockfel last year gives her sound claims.

Statement and Posted were last seen running on the Rowley Mile in the 1,000 Guineas and Dahlia Stakes respectively. Both assignments were much deeper than this race and the class drop should help. Statement's tendency to race on the lead suggests she could get first crack at this prize.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

Varian turns to plan B for Nazuna

Dusseldorf’s loss is Epsom’s gain with the returning Nazuna, who arrives here after a proposed trip for last Sunday’s German 1,000 Guineas was abandoned by trainer Roger Varian for being a logistical nightmare.

Current Covid-19 regulations in Germany, rather than Brexit, have caused massive problems for trainers wanting to have runners over there this season and will be the case for some time, according to BBA shipping agent Kevin Needham.

Roger Varian: alternative plan for NazunaCredit: Laura Green

The Newmarket-based operator said: “Getting horses to and from Germany at the moment is relatively straightforward but the problem is with the staff, as they’re not allowed on the tracks over there at present. I can’t see any British trainers sending horses to Germany until their Covid-19 numbers drop.”

Varian accepts the Princess Elizabeth is very much plan B for Nazuna, whose best form last season came when second to Isabella Giles in the Rockfel Stakes.

Varian said: "Our original intention was to run her in the German 1,000 Guineas, but the restrictions travelling over there at the moment make things very difficult, so this is very much plan B.

"She’s done some nice bits of work and is ready to start off. She shapes as if she should get this trip."

What they say

Joseph Tuite, owner of Lottie Marie
She has a bit to find on the figures but has been working very well, so we’re rolling the dice. I expect her to run a nice race and she enjoys going left handed.

Simon Crisford, joint-trainer of Maamora
She returned a poor scope after her below-par run at Goodwood last time having been fine going into the race. She’s fine again now and has done very well since. This looks the right spot for her and she should handle the track.

Oisin Murphy, rider of Parent’s Prayer
She has form on soft ground, so won’t mind any showers, and she should handle the track.

William Haggas, trainer of Tomorrow’s Dream
We kept her in training to run in these sorts of races and she’s there with a chance. I’m running her in cheekpieces and although she’s got a bit of a wide draw, I didn’t think it was the deepest race I’d seen of that calibre, so hopefully she can do okay. A lot will depend on whether she handles the track. I’m not convinced she will but we won’t know until we try.

Martyn Meade, trainer of Statement
Things didn’t pan out for her in the 1,000 Guineas but she’s been flying at home since and won’t mind any further ease in the ground.

Tim Palin, director of Middleham Park Racing, owners of Thank You Next
She’s not quite in the same form as she was at the back end of last year when she was second to Saffron Beach. She’s slowly coming to herself but we’re still not entirely sure what she wants. On current weights and measures she’s up against it, but there are not many opportunities and it’ll help us guide her through the rest of the season.
Reporting by David Milnes

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