A fascinating renewal of the Listed Aphrodite Stakes sees proven older mares take on an intriguing crop of lightly raced three-year-olds, with the generous weight-for-age allowance adding another layer of interest over the mile-and-a-half trip.

Revoir sets the standard on established form. Ralph Beckett’s four-year-old has become one of the most consistent fillies in training, finishing runner-up in five of her last six Listed starts. Her latest second at Pontefract, where she was beaten only a neck after another wholehearted effort, confirms she remains capable of winning at this level. She looks certain to give her running once again, although another improving rival may prove too strong.

The most compelling challenger could be stablemate K Sarra, whose disappointing run in the Oaks is easily forgiven. Before that she produced an excellent effort to finish third in the Musidora, a piece of form that arguably stands out in this field. Back in Listed company over a more suitable track and trip, she has the profile of a filly capable of taking another step forward.

Charlie Appleby saddles two exciting three-year-olds in Fashion’s Fancy and Tribal Queen, both arriving with significant untapped potential. Fashion’s Fancy impressed when landing a Haydock novice, with that form already receiving several boosts, while Tribal Queen showed marked improvement when making all at Kempton on only her second career start. History is also on their side, with Appleby having enjoyed notable success in this race with similarly progressive fillies.

Roger Varian’s Little Dorrit is another who could outrun her odds. She shaped with plenty of promise on her seasonal return at Pontefract, staying on after finding herself outpaced before finishing behind Revoir. With that run under her belt, natural improvement is expected and the return to a strongly run 1m4f should suit.

Orionis is respected on her Goodwood handicap success earlier this season, although her disappointing Pontefract effort raises enough questions to temper confidence. Naga continues to progress for John and Thady Gosden but may just find Listed company a little too demanding, while Brielle and Club Class appear to have plenty to find on the figures.

The likely pace is not expected to be searching, with Tribal Queen the most obvious candidate to go forward. That could place an emphasis on tactical speed before the race develops into a sprint from the two-furlong pole, making track position an important factor.

With solid older form meeting exciting Classic-generation potential, this promises to be one of the more informative Listed contests of the afternoon. Revoir deserves enormous respect as the proven benchmark, but K Sarra is taken to bounce back from her Oaks disappointment and confirm the promise she displayed in the Musidora. Fashion’s Fancy is feared most among the unexposed runners, while Little Dorrit appeals as an interesting each-way proposition.

Prediction

1. K Sarra
2. Revoir
3. Fashion’s Fancy
4. Little Dorrit