Pretty Baby bids for first Group victory in Summer Stakes sprint

Summer Stakes (Group 3) | 3yo+ | 6f | ITV3/RUK

Pretty Baby steps up to Group class for the first time as she bids to secure William Haggas his first ever win in this competitive 6f sprint on just her fifth career start.

The progressive three-year-old scored for the third time in a row when beating Classical Times, a late withdrawal from this race, in a Listed contest at Nottingham last time and is the early market leader heading into the feature.

Haggas said: “She’s been waiting for this race and is in really good form. We think she’s more than entitled to step up in grade, as the form of her Listed races is working out well.”

History favours Sandra’s Secret

Les Eyre's stable star Sandra's Secret will compete in the same colours as Far Ahead, who upset the odds for the Yorkshire trainer when winning the Ebor Handicap 21 years ago.

The five-year-old won her last three 6f fast-ground handicaps which saw her official rating rise from 80 to 97 in just two months. However, her winning streak ended last time when second over 5f at Ayr.

Sandra's Secret (right) was narrowly beaten by Elnadim Star last timeCredit: John Grossick

Returning to her favoured trip, Sandra’s Secret will have her first shot at Group-race glory and takes on fillies from top yards, such as Could It Be Love, who represents Aidan O'Brien.

Eyre said: “She doesn’t know about the competition, so she will run her own race. She’s been a credit to the yard and has improved out of all recognition.

“She’s a happy little horse and she’s done it all herself, to be truthful. She’s in great form, thrives on her work and deserves to take her chance.”

What the rest say

James Fanshawe, trainer of Magical Dreamer
She's quite progressive and is in good form, but it's a big step-up so we'll wait to see how it goes.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Marie Of Lyon and Maggies Angel
We know it’s a very competitive race and if either of ours place, we'd be delighted. It’s been the target for Maggies Angel for some time and she has some form at the track. Marie Of Lyon goes on any ground, but may be better if it’s slower than she’ll encounter here.

Marco Botti, trainer of Raven’s Lady
She’s in good form and we've been waiting for this race. She’s got a little bit of black type and will want fast ground. It's a competitive race and if she finishes in the top three, it'll be fantastic.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Could It Be Love
We always thought somewhere around six furlongs was her trip. She seems to be in good form after her run at Fairyhouse last week.

David Simcock, trainer of Worship
She’s come back to sprinting. She got a bit lost at Haydock, but ran respectably, then was turned over at odds-on at Redcar. I still think she’ll run better than her big odds suggest.

Read The Briefing from 8.30am daily on with all the day's latest going, weather, market moves and non-runner news