Trainer quotes and analysis as Sacred aims to buck the trends in Flying Childers

Bombardier Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2) | 5f, 2yo | ITV3/Sky

Trends suggest that fillies rarely win this race, but punters will hope that likely favourite Sacred can defy the unpromising statistics for trainer William Haggas, who was last successful in the Flying Childers with Superstar Leo 20 years ago.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned juvenile won on debut at Newmarket in June but has been the bridesmaid in two subsequent outings, taking the runner-up spot behind subsequent Prix Morny winner Campanelle in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot before filling the same spot behind Miss Amulet in the Lowther last month.

Her Queen Mary form is arguably the best on offer with eight of the 18-strong field scoring since, and she was far from disgraced last time after taking a keen hold when bumping into a race-hardened filly from the Ken Condon stable.

However, this represents a step up in class as she tackles the boys for the first time. Sacred has never encountered the same opposition as Steel Bull, who has a Group race on his CV and drops in grade having contested the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last time.

Steel Bull finished seventh behind the Jessica Harrington-trained Lucky Vega, but plenty went wrong for him.

He was returning quickly after an extremely impressive victory in the Molecomb at Glorious Goodwood and broke two teeth in the stalls before the race began. Should everything go right this time, he looks the horse to beat in this field under the in-form Jim Crowley.

Another colt looking to bounce back is Ubettabelieveit, who was unfavoured by the heavy downpour and step up to 6f in last month's Gimcrack. Conditions should be more suitable for him and he looks overpriced.

Frenetic (right): has won three of her five startsCredit: Patrick McCann

As well as Steel Bull, the Irish are represented by two fillies in Frenetic (Ger Lyons) and Measure Of Magic (Johnny Murtagh).

Frenetic is an out-and-out speedball, who has been a model of consistency but may lack the class to win this race, while Measure Of Magic is set her toughest task yet after a midfield finish in a sales race last time.

Although he has plenty to find on his maiden victory, it would be folly to ignore Mohawk King, who is the mount of Frankie Dettori. The Italian maestro has won this race six times since 2003 and gets aboard the least exposed runner in the field.

Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Richard Hannon, trainer of Mohawk King
He won over six furlongs on his debut at Ascot then ran well to be fifth in the Gimcrack when he led until the closing stages. He's from a speedy family, so we think this drop to five will suit.

Marcus Tregoning, trainer of Perotto
We'll see how he handles the step up in class, but if it's flying a bit high we'll look for something else. It's competitive but these are the sort of races he has to run in now and hopefully he can get involved.

Tim Palin, manager of Middleham Park Racing, owners of Ventura Tormenta
Richard Hannon has been saying for a month that we should run him here as he has no penalty despite winning a Group 2. He didn't really like the easy ground at the Curragh last time and if it continues to dry out it will be in his favour.

Johnny Murtagh, trainer of Measure Of Magic
She came out of her last race well. If you go back to her run the time before, she was just behind Frenetic and Miss Amulet. She didn't stay the six furlongs the last day but she's in good shape for this and we think five furlongs will really suit her.

William Haggas, trainer of Sacred
The slow surface was not in her favour at York last time, so hopefully this drying ground will suit her better as she's a top of the ground horse. She ran well enough over six that day, but she has plenty of speed so we're dropping her back to five.

Silvestre de Sousa, rider of Winter Power
She won well on her third start but then maybe ran back a bit quick at Goodwood next time. She was run off her feet a bit at York after that, but bounced back at Ripon last time and hopefully she can get a bit of black type.

Reporting by David Milnes

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