€1 million breeze-up buy clashes with Shadwell homebred as debut winners with Fillies' Mile entries meet at Leicester

There are potential Group 1 clues to be gleaned from a 7f fillies' novice (2.50) at Leicester this afternoon that features two debut winners with high-profile entries . . .

How impressive were they on debut?

Zanthos, a €1 million buy at the Arqana breeze-up sale in May, took on debutantes for the likes of Godolphin and Wathnan Racing at Newmarket last month but was backed into odds-on favouritism.

The daughter of Sioux Nation showed a professional attitude and dominated the 7f contest, making pretty much all the running to win by three lengths. The form has already been franked by the third-placed Deedaydiva, who won on her second start at Sandown three weeks later.

In a post-race interview on Racing TV, joint-trainer Simon Crisford said: "She was a really expensive breeze-up filly and the Kavanaghs, who consigned her, recommended her very highly. She was a little bit hot after she arrived so we have taken our time with her to make sure she does everything the right way round.

"She did everything the right way on her debut and was beautifully behaved. She showed a nice turn of foot and lots of quality. She's bred to stay a mile well next season. She's a filly who will hopefully take us to the top table."

Touleen, a Shadwell homebred whose dam was a Group 3 winner for the same connections, was sent off the 2-1 favourite for her debut at Newbury last month and made a firm impression when winning by two and a quarter lengths under Jim Crowley. She raced prominently and shot clear approaching the final furlong for a convincing success.

One of the five horses to have run since has been successful, with the ninth Evie Ross winning a fillies' maiden at Chepstow, while the runner-up Secret History finished third at York on Sunday but was badly hampered at a crucial stage.

What was the Racing Post Ratings view?

Zanthos recorded a triple-figure Racing Post Rating of 101 at Newmarket, marking her out as a particularly smart prospect. By comparison, the Ralph Beckett-trained Tabiti, who has landed two Group 3s since, registered a RPR of 89 for her three-and-a-quarter length victory on her debut in the same race last year.

The Crisfords' filly was an intended runner against the colts in the Solario Stakes at Sandown before being taken out on account of the soft ground. On her next assignment at Leicester, Ed Crisford said on Monday: "We wanted to run her over seven furlongs again and there were limited options to let her progress. We'll see how she gets on but she's a nice filly."

Owen Burrows: trainer of debut winner TouleenCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Owen Burrows-trained Touleen recorded an RPR of 82 at Newbury and adjusted RPRs (Touleen 87, Zanthos 106) suggest she faces a tough task at Leicester, where both fillies carry a 7lb penalty. She is the mount of William Buick, with Jim Crowley on the sidelines after a bad fall at York on Sunday.

What price are they for Rockfel/Fillies' Mile?

Both have fillies are entered in the Group 2 BoyleSports-sponsored Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket on September 26 and the Group 1 bet365 Fillies' Mile at the same track on October 10.

Zanthos is the general 6-1 joint-favourite for the Rockfel – alongside Godolphin's unbeaten Dance To The Music – and Touleen is 16-1. They are 6-1 and 20-1 for the Fillies' Mile with the race sponsors.

They have also been quoted for next year's 1,000 Guineas, with Zanthos priced at a general 25-1 and Touleen available at a standout 50-1 with bet365.

Who else takes them on?

Lady Roisia is an intriguing newcomer for Ralph Beckett in receipt of 7lb from the debut winners. The filly, who is out Beckett's Oaks winner Talent, was a 575,000gns purchase as a foal for Newsells Park Stud in 2023 and is a half-sister to Prix Jean Romanet runner-up Ambition.

Ralph Beckett: runs an interesting newcomer in Lady RoisiaCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained Blue Samuna was far from disgraced when sixth from the front on her sole start at Newmarket but will have to step forward plenty on that effort to trouble the principals.

So, who will win?

By Graham Wheldon, Spotlight

An impressive winner from the front on her Newmarket debut a month ago, Zanthos is around a 6-1 shot for next month's Group 1 Fillies' Mile and is clearly the one to beat. Fellow debutante winner Touleen, who can be backed at 20-1 for that same Newmarket race, and newcomer Lady Roisia look the pair she has to worry about.

Zanthos14:50 Leicester

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Jky: Oisin Murphy Tnr: Simon & Ed Crisford

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