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Overview

This year’s renewal of the Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes features six runners, including some seasoned Group/Listed fillies and a highly promising three-year-old with scope for progression. The going is described as good to firm, and with the pace forecast rated weak, it could favour those able to race prominently or possess a strong turn of foot.

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Leading Contenders

CATHEDRAL (TFR 112p)
Trained by Ralph Beckett and ridden by Richard Kingscote, this is the sole 3yo in the field and a lightly raced filly who made a striking impression in two starts last year. She was runner-up in the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket (7f, good) and looks to have significant upside. Timeform has her labelled with a ‘p’ (potential for improvement), and she’s bred to stay 1m. This could be a stepping stone to higher-grade events.

JABAARA (TFR 116)
Roger Varian’s representative, ridden by Silvestre De Sousa, brings solid Listed form into the mix. She was first past the post in three such events in 2024 (though demoted at Goodwood) and shaped well despite defeat at Keeneland last month in stronger company. Effective from 7f to 1m and acts on various surfaces. Clearly sets a solid standard on existing form and looks the benchmark.

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Main Dangers

GREAT GENERATION (TFR 114)
Last year’s winner of this race, returning off a 211-day break. She was below form in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes to end the season but had previously landed the Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster. The mare carries a 3lb penalty for her 2024 Group 3 win, which levels the playing field with improving rivals. Trainer Marco Botti has a good record with horses off a layoff (£41.98 level-stakes profit) – market strength would be a positive signal.

SPIRITUAL (TFR 114)
John & Thady Gosden’s filly hasn’t been seen since last September but won a Listed race at Sandown last summer and placed in another at Newmarket. While usually a front-runner, the Timeform pace map suggests she may benefit from a weak early gallop here. However, she has a bit to find with the leading pair on the ratings.

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Others to Note

FAIR ANGELLICA (TFR 111)
A consistent type for Richard Hughes, she’s won 5 of 10 and made a satisfactory reappearance in a Wolverhampton Listed event after six months off. Likely to strip fitter here and should be prominent early. Ryan Moore is an eye-catching booking (29% strike rate at Lingfield).

ZIGGY’S DREAM (TFR 110)
A Listed winner in Italy last season but arrives here off the back of a disappointing run in Meydan and a 78-day break. Her record is a little patchier at this level and she has something to find on ratings.

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Noteworthy Trends

• Previous winners: Great Generation won this race in 2024. The last 5 winners have all been aged 4 or 5, which aligns with most of the field bar Cathedral.
• Trainer watch: Ralph Beckett and Roger Varian are both in form and have runners with Timeform ‘hot trainer’ status.
• Market moves: Given long absences for Great Generation and Spiritual, both off 211 and 225 days respectively, keep an eye on whether there’s market confidence behind either. Drifting would be a concern.

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Summary

This looks a competitive but informative small-field Group 3, and much revolves around how far CATHEDRAL can progress from a promising juvenile campaign. On Timeform ratings, JABAARA holds the highest adjusted figure and sets the current form standard. Great Generation is respected on her 2024 wins but has a penalty and long layoff to defy, while Spiritual and Fair Angellica could be place contenders depending on race tempo.