Four questions that can provide the answer to the Fillies & Mares

2.40 Ascot
Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes | Gr1 | 1m4f | 3yo+ | ITV

Will we have a first back-to-back winner?

John Gosden trains Europe's stand-out filly in Enable, but on Champions Day the game Journey has been one of his most reliable runners.

She was narrowly beaten by Simple Verse two years ago, but last year earned her turn in the spotlight with a spectacular four-length victory.

At her best in the second half of the season, she returned from a two-month absence to run second to Bateel in the Prix Vermeille and earns Frankie Dettori's vote in a race containing stablemates Coronet and The Black Princess.

Gosden said: "Journey won the race last year and goes there in good shape, although we've huge respect for Bateel, who beat her fair and square in the Prix Vermeille. They're two nice fillies.

"Journey will like the ground and it would be nice if she could win it again as she's off to stud afterwards."

Coronet won the Ribblesdale on this track, twice took on Enable and finished fifth in the St Leger last time.

Gosden said: "Coronet was the last off the bridle in the St Leger before she hit the stamina wall but still ran an honourable race against the colts to be fifth.

"She's worked nicely since and should handle the soft ground. She won the Ribblesdale over course and distance, so we know she likes Ascot. There's no decision as to whether she stays in training.

"The Black Princess has had a great year, should handle the ground and deserves to take her chance."

Can French thwart Gosden trio?

A lot will hinge on Bateel, who contested this race 12 months ago but finished last, 25 lengths behind Journey.

She was trained by David Simcock then and looked out of her depth, but she has gone from strength to strength since moving to France to join Francis Graffard.

She has won her last three starts and readily brushed aside Journey to land the Vermeille by two and a half lengths at Chantilly last month.

Graffard said: "She’s in just as good form as before the Vermeille and now I don’t feel any pressure. She's a character but hasn't stopped progressing since she joined us.

"I'm hopeful she'll put up a very good performance as we also know she goes well on soft ground. Fingers crossed she doesn’t find one too good."

Last year's Vermeille winner Left Hand has not won this year but has been thereabouts in four consecutive Group 1s and was only a length behind Rhododendron in a blanket finish to the Prix de l'Opera last time.

Trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias said: "She probably should have won the Romanet and was just a bit unlucky, while she finished very fast in the Opera and just got going too late.

"She was a bit below par at the start of the year but has refound her form and has shown that in all her recent runs. Soft ground is better for her."

The Juliet Rose was third in last year's Vermeille and won the Group 2 Prix de Royallieu on only her second start of the year.

Trainer Nicolas Clement said: "It won’t be easy but she's fresh and well and the more of a test it becomes the better because she stays very well.

"A mile and a half on soft ground is what she wants, and on top of that she's still quite fresh. She's run only in the Prix de Pomone and then the Royallieu."

Can Hydrangea bloom?

Aidan O'Brien, who has yet to win this race, saddles Hydrangea and Wild Irish Rose, lacking support from Winter or Rhododendron.

Nevertheless, Hydrangea is Group 1 material, having surprised Winter to claim the Matron Stakes, form she backed up when beaten only a head by Rhododendron in the Prix de l'Opera.

The mount of Ryan Moore, Hydrangea has not tackled a mile and a half before, while Wild Irish Rose is having her first start at Group 1 level.

O'Brien said: "Hydrangea seems in good form. The big question is whether she'll get the trip. Ryan thinks she has a good chance of staying and thought the race might suit her.

"Wild Irish Rose is well, but she's stepping up a lot in class. She's a stayer and we're just hoping she runs well."

Anything else worth considering?

Park Hill Stakes winner Alyssa was supplemented – at a cost of £35,000 – for a race her stable won with Simple Verse, and she certainly isn't to be overlooked.

Trainer Ralph Beckett said: "The drop back in trip is an unknown, but she's at the top of her game and her owner Miss [Kirsten] Rausing and I thought it was worth rolling the dice. She won't mind the ground and likes Ascot."

Horseplay has managed only one appearance since finishing fourth in the Oaks behind Enable.

Trainer Andrew Balding said: "She's had a slightly frustrating season as she picked up a niggle after her run in France, but we're happy with her now.

"She goes into the race a relatively fresh horse and we've got her fitness levels back to what they should be. She's always been a high-class filly at home and the ground shouldn't be a problem."

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