See The Fire Primed To Defend Middleton Crown At York

The Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes at York looks set to revolve around last year’s impressive winner See The Fire, who returns to the Knavesmire seeking to confirm herself one of the leading middle-distance mares in training.

Andrew Balding’s five-year-old produced one of the standout performances of this meeting 12 months ago when powering clear by 12 lengths in this contest on good to firm ground. Although she was unable to add a Group 1 victory afterwards, she consistently held her own at the highest level, including an excellent second in the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp and several strong efforts in elite company over 1m2f.

Her recent reappearance success at Nottingham looked more about blowing away the cobwebs than making a statement, but she still travelled powerfully for much of the race and should strip fitter here. Back at York, under ideal conditions, she sets a solid standard.

Fallen Angel arguably possesses the strongest overall CV in the field after winning three Group 1 races over a mile last season, including the Matron Stakes and Sun Chariot. However, this longer trip remains a slight question mark. She shaped well over 1m2f in France last autumn without quite seeing it out strongly, and this is also her seasonal debut.

Diamond Rain looks the most interesting alternative. Charlie Appleby’s mare improved steadily throughout last year, winning at Listed and Group 3 level before placing in top-class Grade 1 races in North America. She is tactically versatile and could be suited by the likely steady pace in this small-field contest.

Red Letter is respected as an unexposed filly with potential for further improvement, but on current ratings she still has a bit to find against these established Group performers.

Everything points towards another big run from See The Fire.