'She wasn't far behind Sea La Rosa at Haydock' - Lillie Langtry quotes

Saturday: 2.45 Goodwood
Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2) | 1m6f | 3yo+ fillies and mares | ITV/RTV

William Haggas knows all too well after this week that horses tend to be judged on the company they keep. Some continue to be down on his stable star Baaeed due to his opposition's stubborn refusal to be better racehorses. At least Haggas gets to enjoy the flip side in the Lillie Langtry.

The Haggas-trained Sea La Rosa is a dominant favourite for this race, despite Racing Post Ratings showing that on form she does not have anything like so convincing a break on her rivals as the market would suggest. Part of the reason she is so short is likely to be down to Free Wind, to whom she finished second in the Lancashire Oaks last time.

Free Wind is bound for Group 1s now, there is no other conclusion to take from her Lancashire Oaks win considering she was stopped in her run up the rail two furlongs out, had to be pulled out at the last minute and still won convincingly. Working on that assumption, it would appear from the early betting Sea La Rosa must win the Lillie Langtry.

But that may take the Haydock form too literally. Sea La Rosa got a well-judged ride that day and was arguably not even the second-best horse in the race. Eshaada, who lost a bit of momentum herself in blocking Free Wind, would have caught her in another 50 yards. Sea La Rosa's price depends on continuing improvement, which she carried into the Lancashire Oaks but showed that day only to a minor extent despite everything going her way.

Her current level, assuming no improvement on Saturday, would have seen her beaten by daylight in the last three runnings of this race. She would have won only two of the last ten runnings. Her form is not even the best in the race, if you are willing to go back to last autumn when Forbearance won the Princess Royal Stakes at Newmarket. Sea La Rosa ran in that race and was beaten more than four lengths into third.

None of which is to say that Sea La Rosa is one to lay. She has shown herself effective at undulating tracks, has won beyond 1m4f and is the pick of the field on recent form. It is just a warning to those who would get tucked into prices shorter than 2-1. They just need to be confident she can keep improving.

Emily Dickinson (far): main market rival to favourite Sea La RosaCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

The market has done a good job in identifying the main danger. Emily Dickinson is an improving three-year-old with a proper middle-distance pedigree. She was still racing in maidens this spring but has since improved and last time finished fourth in the Irish Oaks, a race her dam Chicquita won. She convinced with her stamina over 1m6f at Leopardstown the time before and is a banker for further improvement. She will need to accelerate relative to Sea La Rosa, but has time and pedigree on her side.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

'Tough' Sea La Rosa set for big run – Marquand

Tom Marquand is hoping Lancashire Oaks runner-up Sea La Rosa will relish the step up in trip to 1m6f for the first time as she bids for a breakthrough Group 2 success.

The progressive four-year-old struck in the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock before finding Free Wind too good in a dramatic race at that track under Cieren Fallon, and Marquand is excited to be back on board.

He said: "I didn't ride her last time and haven't seen her since, but it was a really good run in the Lancashire Oaks. It was a bit of a controversial race but she holds a really good line of form in that and in her previous races. She's a tough filly."

Marquand has no concerns about the new trip she will try at the Sussex track. He added: "It's her first try at this trip, but she should stay absolutely fine. I'm looking forward to getting aboard her and any bit of black-type is important in races like this."

What they say

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Forbearance
You'd be hopeful this trip on good ground should suit her well. She's already won at Listed and Group 3 level so we'd love to be able to get her some black type in a Group 2.

Ed Walker, trainer of Glenartney
She's in good form and has done little wrong this year, but she could really do with some rain. Her main targets are the Park Hill Stakes and, in particular, the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp.

James Fanshawe, trainer of Viola
She seems in good form, but she could do with a bit of water being put on the track overnight. The step up in distance and the track will suit. She wasn't far behind Sea La Rosa at Haydock and I was happy with that.

Rob Hornby, rider of Yesyes
We've been delighted with her preparation. It's been a while since her last run, but she's training really well and has been on an away day to put her right. She was an exciting horse last year and is showing all the right signs that she's improved from three to four. I'm looking forward to it.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Emily Dickinson
She seems to have come out of her run in the Irish Oaks well – we were delighted with her last time [when fourth] at the Curragh. She's stepping back up to a mile and six furlongs here, and seemed to be happy at that trip a couple of starts ago at Leopardstown.

Saturday previews:

1.40 Goodwood: 'We've frightened a few people off' – which in-form type might take the beating?

2.10 Goodwood: 'We've got him in a very good place' – who has high Summer Handicap hopes?

3.20 Goodwood: 'We've got the right man on top' – who is keen on their Stewards' Cup runner?

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