Will a 1,000 Guineas contender emerge in wide-open Oh So Sharp Stakes?

Friday: 2.25 Newmarket
Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes (Group 3) | 7f | 2yo | ITV4/RTV

Named after the 1985 fillies' Triple Crown winner, the Oh So Sharp Stakes has long been used as a late-season trial for the following year's 1,000 Guineas. The last horse to complete the double was Miss France in 2014.

Her trainer Andre Fabre initially entered the unbeaten Raclette, who is a best-priced 16-1 for the Qipco 1,000 Guineas, in this year's edition and she appeared to hold leading claims before final declarations were released and she was a glaring omission.

With Raclette out of the picture, punters are faced with a wide-open market that is headed by the lightly raced but promising Good American for trainer Ralph Beckett, who won this contest in 2012 with the more experienced Waterway Run.

Good American, a 125,000gns daughter of American Pharoah, justified strong market support at big prices on her debut at Salisbury in a maiden that contained several well-bred horses from leading yards. Runner-up Aunt Bethany boosted the form by scoring at Newcastle next time out.

Good American will have to improve upwards of a stone on RPRs to match the average rating needed to win the Oh So Sharp, but considerable progression is expected. The same applies to the Karl Burke-trained Gifted Gold, who also needs to prove she handles turf.

The best form on offer is Pearl Glory's runner-up finish in the Group 3 Dick Poole Stakes at Salisbury. This precocious filly may peak this year given her small stature and has shaped as if the step up to 7f will elicit further improvement.

Perfect News: a winner over course and distance last timeCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Perfect News, a daughter of Frankel, has no stamina doubts at this trip and posted a clear career-best effort over this course and distance in handicap company last month. Group 3 contests aren't out of her reach but her resolution when put in front remains a worry.

In-running players may give Allayaali a second look given her high cruising speed. The Charlie Hills-trained filly made smooth headway to win off a mark of 80 last time and tries black type company for the second time. She could be a good back-to-lay option.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Charlie Hills, trainer of Allayaali
We've had this race in mind for a while and she's been pleasing us at home. It's a competitive race but she deserves to take her chance.

Ed Crisford, joint-trainer of Fast Attack
She has to improve to be in the first three but the drying ground should help her and she ran a decent race at Newbury last time. She deserves to have a crack at a Group race such as this.

Karl Burke, trainer of Gifted Gold
She's a lovely filly who is a half-sister to Threat and won her novice well at Newcastle, which is a race that is working out nicely. Whether this is a bit much for her after that we'll have to see. Whatever happens she's a filly for next year really but hopefully she can pick up some black type.

Kevin Philippart de Foy, trainer of Pearl Glory
She ran very well to be second in the Dick Poole at Salisbury last time when she shaped as if this longer trip would suit. Hopefully the ground dries out as she wouldn't want it soft.

William Haggas, trainer of Perfect News
I'm not too sure if her draw in stall one is a positive, but she deserves to have a crack at this after her win over course and distance last time.
Reporting by David Milnes

Read more of Friday's previews

1.50 Newmarket: Cheveley Park fourth features in meeting of smart juveniles in Cornwallis Stakes

2.10 Chepstow: 'I'm sure he retains his ability' - Potters Corner aiming to get back on track

2.45 Chepstow: Paso Doble bids to continue outstanding Nicholls record in Persian War

3.00 Newmarket: 'We've waited for it' - which connections have been eyeing a Group 2 prize?

3.35 Newmarket: Guineas favourite Inspiral bids to extend unbeaten record in Fillies' Mile

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