Can class act Eshaada take another step on the road back to Group 1 glory?

Thursday: 3.10 DoncasterCoral Park Hill Fillies' Stakes (Group 2) | 1m6½f | 3yo+ | ITV3/Sky

The Park Hill is often referred to as the fillies' version of the St Leger and it lives up to that billing this year with an overnight market leader of genuine Group 1 quality.

Eshaada broke through at the top level when beating Albaflora in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes last season and the pair were clear of triple Oaks heroine Snowfall.

Roger Varian appears to be plotting a return to that race this season with Eshaada, who has run only twice. She was well below form when fifth in the Aston Park at Newbury on her seasonal return but shaped like she was on her way back in the Lancashire Oaks last time.

That was a controversial race because Eshaada and winner Free Wind came together on the inside rail and both can be considered better than the bare form. Eshaada wouldn't have beaten Free Wind with a clear run but she would have finished ahead of Sea La Rosa for second.

Eshaada achieved a Racing Post Rating of 111 for that performance and would probably have reached 113 or 114 with a clear run. A figure of 114 would be enough to equal the best winner of this race in the last ten years (Enbihaar got 114 when successful in 2019) and Eshaada's career-high RPR of 116 suggests she should prove a class apart.

Believe In Love has yet to win at Group 1 level but can definitely be considered in that class against other fillies. She was beaten just a short neck in the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp last October, being denied her first top-grade victory only in the dying strides.

She finished behind stablemate Eshaada at Haydock and had a clearer run but the race didn't suit her tactically and she was forced to come from the rear.

Ralph Beckett, who won this twice in a row with Simple Verse in 2016 and Alyssa in 2017, runs the improving Yesyes. She has 10lb to find with Eshaada on career-best RPRs but recorded her highest figure on her latest start, which came after a long break.

The fact that Yesyes was able to run a personal best after 301 days off bodes well for her prospects of bettering that figure now she is race fit. However, a big leap will be needed.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

'The race at Haydock was a disaster'

Eshaada appears for the first time since her barging match with Free Wind when third in the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock in July but the Roger Varian-trained filly is none the worse for that.

Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to Shadwell, said: "The race at Haydock was a disaster. She should have at least been second, if not the winner, but we'll go again and see how she gets on at Doncaster."

Eshaada has been off for two months but not because of injury. Hills added: "She came back fine from Haydock but we pulled up on her after that on account of the ground. She likes soft ground and we didn't see any point in working her in the middle of a drought."

The four-year-old ended last season with her biggest win in the Group 1 British Champion Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot and could head for that race again.

Hills said: "Roger and the team are pleased with her and she's in good form at home. She'll improve for the run back but she was a great autumn filly last year and hopefully she can do it again."

What they say

Andrea Atzeni, rider of Believe In Love
She's a solid performer who always runs her heart out and if it comes up soft I expect she'll be competitive.

Ed Walker, trainer of Glenartney
The more rain the better. This has been her target for some time and she ran really well in the Prix de Pomone last time. She's taking her racing well and is in fine form. She'll be ideally suited by the step back up in trip.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Yesyes and River Of Stars
I expect both fillies to enjoy the track and the trip. The ground will be ideal for them and I'm hoping for a good show.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Mimikyu
She overraced in the early stages at York last time, so we're fitting her with a hood for the first time and hope that'll help. If it does she has a chance of getting some black type.
Reporting by David Milnes

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets