Unexposed or solid form? Analysis and trainer insight for the Oh So Sharp Stakes

Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes (Group 3) | 7f | 2yo | ITV4/RTV

Proof or promise? That is always the dilemma for a punter assessing two-year-old Listed or Group races.

Do you side with a runner who has solid form credentials and has shown they can compete at this level, even if they are not an evident superstar?

Or do you go for an unexposed juvenile who has demonstrated huge potential in lesser company, yet whose ability to cut it at this grade has to be taken on trust?

Option two has been the wiser choice in this race of late, with just one of the last ten winners having already landed a Group or Listed race, and only two having even run in Group company.

Nor was any winner within 6lb of the top Racing Post Rating in the field. So what chance does that give us in a field of 11 fillies, each of whom has at least hinted they may be smart?

Well, those guided by achievement will be taken by Newbury and Leicester winner Rage Of Bamby, who travelled best for much of the way when third in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes here. She is open to further progress, but that effort gives her the supposed poisoned chalice of being top on RPRs.

There are numerous candidates who could improve past her, headed by the unbeaten Crystallium, whose ready victory in a Newbury conditions event last month has been advertised by wins from both of those in behind her to have run since.

Juvenile fillies Lezoo and Juliet Sierra have stepped straight from novice company to land stakes races this season for Ralph Beckett, whose judgement that this is the right target for first-time-out winner Lose Yourself must therefore be respected.

Ralph Beckett: Runs July course winner Lose YourselfCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Roger Varian-trained Youngest is certainly bred to step up on her Leicester debut success, as the first foal out of a Group 1 winner whose sister Lumiere took the Cheveley Park Stakes here in 2015.

What they say

George Boughey, trainer of Believing
Believing ran a good race last time in the Firth Of Clyde and this step up to seven furlongs should suit her well. The ground should be perfect for her as there doesn't look to be much rain and she should give a bold showing.

Tom Clover, trainer of Crystallium
She's a lovely filly with a great temperament. Her work has been good since her conditions race win at Newbury and that form looks strong. If she's come on a bit, which her work might suggest, then I hope she can give a really good account of herself and run a nice race.

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Rage Of Bamby
She ran really well two weeks ago and I think we're going there with a good chance. She's very straightforward and the draw is on the far side, so hopefully she can get a nice tow into the race rather than having to make her own running.

Tom Dascombe, trainer of Red N Blue Candy
She's a very nice filly who learned a lot from her first run at Epsom. She battled back to win at Kempton and should run well. She's going to the sales whether she wins or loses, but this jump to Group company will tell us where she's at.

Michael Grassick, trainer of Small Oasis
She isn't overly flashy at home but we've always liked her. She's very laid back. It was a big step up from her debut run when winning at the Curragh - I thought she looked a bit special there. I'd just be a little worried if the rain doesn't arrive as she likes a bit of ease in the ground.

Rod Millman, trainer of Tagline
She's been running well all season. She ran a good race in the Dick Poole Stakes, staying on, and the extra furlong will help her.

Roger Varian, trainer of Youngest
She's a nice filly who won on her debut. She's got to step up. It's a tough race, but we'll learn a little bit more. We like her.

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