Four talking points for the Princess Margaret Stakes

1.50 Ascot
Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes | Group 3 | 6f | 2yo| ITV/RUK

1 Nyaleti brings rock-solid form to the table

Although beaten on her last two starts, Nyaleti’s form stands the closest inspection, having locked horns with star Aidan O’Brien juveniles Clemmie in Newmarket’s Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes and September in Royal Ascot’s Listed Chesham Stakes.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to the filly’s trainer Mark Johnston, said: “She's arguably the best two-year-old filly this side of the water – there was no disgrace in getting beat by Clemmie or September.

“She has plenty of speed for six furlongs, and the only question mark is the possibility of quite soft ground. We couldn’t be sure whether that will be a help or a hindrance.

“What we do know is that she sets the standard on form, and her rivals will have to improve to reach her level.”

The Middleham yard is also represented by Rebel Assault, and Johnston added: “We’ve always liked her and she has a huge amount of speed.

"You can draw a complete line through her run at Sandown – she was drawn badly, missed the break, and then took a bump. We’re hoping to get some black type for her."

2. Dance Diva heads three unbeaten fillies

Dance Diva, Musical Art and Spring Cosmos all defend unbeaten records, with the market likely to favour Dance Diva of the trio.

Winner of her three starts for Richard Fahey at Redcar, Haydock and Newmarket, she has improved with each outing and finished a length and a quarter ahead of stablemate Maggies Angel – third in last Saturday’s Super Sprint – when landing Newmarket’s Listed Empress Fillies’ Stakes.

Although she has recorded two victories on officially good to soft ground, this is likely to prove the most testing surface she has encountered, and her trainer isn’t totally convinced she will excel on it.

“She’s a very good-moving filly and I’m a fraction worried about the soft ground – I hope she copes with it,” he said.

“We’re very happy with her, though, and how she’s progressing. It’s a step up in class but it looks the right race for her and where she needs to go.”

Paul Cole is adamant he has a “jolly nice filly” on his hands in Musical Art, a winner at Newbury on good to firm ground earlier this month.

“She’s totally straightforward and very relaxed,” he said. “Ideally she needs seven furlongs now, but the ease in the ground and a stiff six at Ascot should suit.

"It’s an extremely hot race but I’m very happy with her. She’s a jolly nice filly.”

Spring Cosmos made a striking impression when successful on her debut at Newmarket, and trainer Charlie Appleby believes she has progressed for that win.

“It was a very pleasing debut win from Spring Cosmos and she came out of that race very well,” Appleby said.

3. Maiden no longer?

Mistress Of Venice may be the only maiden in a seven-runner field, but she finished less than a length behind likely warm favourite Nyaleti at Newmarket last time and trainer James Given is optimistic of a big run.

“She’s in great shape,” he said. “She bumped into a good one of Aidan’s last time when finding the ground on the downhill run into the Dip a bit firm for her.

“There wasn’t much between the second, third and fourth that day, and the ground is more in her favour this time.

“I’m looking forward to the rematch with Nyaleti. My filly likes Ascot and she’ll handle the ground.”

4. Channon upbeat about second race win

Mick Channon, successful in the race with Soraaya in 2010, wouldn’t put punters off having a few quid on Neola at the likely odds.

“She’s in great form and I think she’s got a good chance,” he said.