Conditions and Tactical Setup: This is a Listed contest over 7f 15y, featuring ten declared runners. The pace forecast is weak, which traditionally places an emphasis on tactical speed and race position. Historically, low draws tend to be favoured at this trip on fast ground at Musselburgh, and the likely steady early fractions could further amplify that edge. Horses drawn low and capable of travelling strongly or racing handily may gain a positional advantage.

Contenders, Dangers, Outsiders & Noteworthy Points:

JABAARA (118 Timeform adjusted) – Officially first past the post in this race last year and confirmed her Listed-class credentials throughout 2024. Returns here following a solid neck second in the Chartwell Stakes. Has a high cruising speed and track position should suit, particularly with a weak pace. Proven on a variety of goings and likely to be held up before being delivered late, so she will need luck in running from stall 2.

STOP THE CAVALRY (120p) – Lightly raced and progressive. Signed off last season with a near-miss in a Longchamp Listed race. She has form at 7f–8f and handles fast ground well. Absent 279 days, but her trainer Ralph Beckett does well with fresh horses. The ‘p’ symbol flags further improvement as a 4yo. She usually races handily, which could be a significant advantage given the projected steady gallop.

FIERY LUCY (119) – The highest-rated 3yo in the line-up. She placed in the Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf and returned with a decent second at Leopardstown. She was unsuited by how that race unfolded, but shaped as though she’d come forward from the run. The Irish yard is in solid form and she stays 1m, but her hold-up style leaves her reliant on pace and gaps.

QUEEN’S REIGN (113) – Returned from six months off with a fine effort in a Listed event at Longchamp, finishing a rallying second. She travels powerfully and has a good turn of foot, though has sometimes found herself caught in traffic. She’s best ridden with patience, so another that needs things to open up late. Yard in excellent current form.

AROLLA (108+) – Shaped with plenty of promise in 2024, notably when sixth behind Cloud Cover in France having been positioned too far back. Still relatively unexposed and a return to a sharper 7f with pace to aim at might suit. Respected as a possible interesting outsider if the leaders go too slow and others fluff their lines.

PERFECT PART (114) – Eye-catching run at York last time, staying on late after meeting traffic. She is progressing, and this is only her second try in pattern company. Has form on fast ground and was unexposed going into that last start. She’s one to monitor in the market for a bigger run.

ELINOR DASHWOOD (105) – Below form on last two starts and appears to be facing stiffer opposition than ideal. Usually held up, and needs a career-best to land a blow in this class.

ROYALTY BAY (102) – Out of her depth in the Firth of Clyde when last seen. Won a couple of minor events prior to that and shaped as though 7f would suit better than 6f. Likely needs to improve significantly to contend in a race of this nature.

THELMA’S ANGEL (93p) – Won a maiden well at Ayr last spring but hasn’t been seen since. Clearly open to progress, but the long absence is a worry and she’s pitched in deep. Market support would be significant.


Significant Trends / Trainer Notes:

Roger Varian (JABAARA) and Ed Walker (QUEEN’S REIGN) are both in-form trainers.

Ralph Beckett has a strong record with fillies returning from breaks.

This race has been won by 3yos in three of the last four renewals.

JABAARA is last year’s winner (won as a 3yo off 8-7; carries 9-3 this time).


Runner Ratings Out of 10 (based on profile, trends, and current conditions):

STOP THE CAVALRY – 8/10 (fresh angle, tactical speed, improvement likely)

JABAARA – 8/10 (course form, strong recent run, hold-up risk)

FIERY LUCY – 7.5/10 (Group 1 form, tactical vulnerability)

QUEEN’S REIGN – 7.5/10 (in-form yard, strong return, traffic concern)

AROLLA – 6.5/10 (likely improver, better than bare Deauville run)

PERFECT PART – 6.5/10 (form upgrade last time, on the up)

ROYALTY BAY – 5/10 (hard to place, needs big step up)

ELINOR DASHWOOD – 4/10 (below form, pace against)

THELMA’S ANGEL – 4.5/10 (interesting profile, but very long absence)

RAJINDRI – NR


Each-Way Angles: With 10 runners, standard place terms apply. PERFECT PART and AROLLA are the most interesting each-way alternatives, both with scope to improve and decent adjusted marks.

Private Tissue Estimate:

JABAARA – 3/1

STOP THE CAVALRY – 4/1

FIERY LUCY – 9/2

QUEEN’S REIGN – 6/1

AROLLA – 10/1

PERFECT PART – 12/1

ROYALTY BAY – 16/1

THELMA’S ANGEL – 20/1

ELINOR DASHWOOD – 33/1


Summary: A small but tightly contested Listed fillies’ race where pace and positioning could be key. STOP THE CAVALRY is likely to be suited by race shape and can go well fresh. JABAARA holds solid course credentials and must be respected if seeing daylight at the right time. FIERY LUCY and QUEEN’S REIGN both bring strong back form but are dependent on things falling right tactically. PERFECT PART appeals as a possible improver and is worth a second glance in the each-way markets. Watch the betting for THELMA’S ANGEL and any significant market moves for returning runners.