Sea Of Class looks to continue on upward curve for Haggas

2.55 Newbury
Johnnie Lewis Memorial British EBF Stakes (Registered as The Abingdon) (Listed) | 1m2f | 3yo | RUK

Sea Of Class returns to the course and distance of her Listed win that thrust her briefly to the fore in the Oaks betting when she takes on seven rivals in a race traditionally known as the Ballymacoll Stud Stakes, now registered as the Abingdon Stakes.

The 1m2f contest has a rich list of winners in recent years, with subsequent Irish Oaks winner Great Heavens and dual Group 1 winner Speedy Boarding landing the prize.

Sea Of Class, who races for the Tsui family, owners of her brilliant sire Sea The Stars, looked potentially top class when quickening up impressively to beat the Aidan O'Brien-trained Athena at Newbury last month, a race that is starting to work out well.

However, trainer William Haggas and her owners resisted the temptation to throw her straight in at the deep end at Epsom and are taking a more cautious route.

Haggas, who has entered Sea Of Class in the Juddmonte Pretty Polly Stakes and Darley Irish Oaks next month, explained: "I wanted to stay at a mile and a quarter for her next start. She shows plenty of speed at home and she showed plenty of speed at Newbury.

"She's got a small penalty and we'll see what happens."

The stable will also be represented by last year's Yarmouth novice winner Dramatic Queen, who also has an Irish Oaks entry.

Haggas said: "She's very rusty but she's fine. She probably wants a mile and a half and a bit slower ground, but we need to get on with her and get her running."

What they say

Rod Millman, trainer of Daddies Girl
She ran a very good race at Nottingham when second to Rasima and we're keeping apprentice Jason Watson on her even though he can't claim – he rode a very nice race on her. It'll be hard to beat Sea Of Class, but she stays well and we're hoping for some black type.

Archie Watson, trainer of Herecomesthesun
I think we're all going to struggle to beat the favourite, but she's been stakes-placed three times already and is always competitive at this sort of level. Hopefully she'll be thereabouts again.

David Simcock, trainer of Mrs Sippy
She's a filly we've always liked and was due to run much earlier in the season, but she's been plagued with bad health and so has missed quite a lot of time. She seems good now and she's as ready as we can get her, so we're looking forward to running her.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Princess Yaiza
She ran well when third in the Cheshire Oaks and came out of the race well. She's probably going to be up against it taking on the favourite but she's in good nick and I couldn't be happier with her.

Roger Varian, trainer of Rasima
Rasima is in good form and she’ll enjoy the good to firm ground. She has every chance of getting the trip on the bottom half of her pedigree, and I hope she can step forward again on this step up in class.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Shailene
She's a lovely filly who just struggled in a tactical race last time, when she was probably beaten by a very good filly who she was trying to give weight to. We're aiming for a place.

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com