'She has the best form but you don't know what you're taking on'

Thursday: 2.25 Sandown
European Bloodstock News EBF Star Stakes (Listed) | 7f | 2yo | RTV

Jamie Spencer and Rod Millman don't team up often. In fact, Spencer has ridden only twice for the stable in the last five seasons, but one of those two horses finished second.

Spencer rides Tagline for Millman here and she is the most interesting horse in the race. When she finished third behind Lezoo in the Empress Stakes at Newmarket last month, she went through the line rocket-propelled.

She went off a 12-1 chance when renewing rivalry with Lezoo in the Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket last time, but that race wasn't run at an end-to-end gallop and Tagline had little chance when the sprint for home started.

Stamina looks to be her forte, so this step up a furlong in trip on a stiff and galloping track like Sandown should be right up her alley, but she isn't the only one in this line-up of whom that could be said.

Lady Alara's four half-siblings were all at their best over a mile and a half or further and three of them ran over hurdles. The fact she was able to make a winning debut over six furlongs at Newbury last month says a lot about her latent ability.

Ibiza Love is another who has plenty of stamina in her pedigree, while Bet Me's dam was placed over a mile and a quarter and is a sister to Lingfield Derby Trial winner United Nations.

There's a good chance this race will go to a horse stepping up in trip.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Richard Hannon, trainer of Bet Me
She won nicely on her debut at Goodwood over six furlongs and has gone the right way since. She’s bred to get further so hopefully this stiff seven furlongs should play to her strengths.

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Jaber Abdullah, owner of Dance In The Grass
It looks a warm race but she won very well on her debut at the track and with normal improvement she should be bang there. She’s a filly we’ve always liked and Cracksman has made a great start to his stallion career. Hopefully she can get some black type.

Sean Woods, trainer of Inanna
She couldn’t run at Haydock last month as part of her bridle broke and there wasn’t a replacement part which was a nuisance as she was supposed to run there and then here. She’ll enjoy the stiff seven furlongs but she’s among a host of maiden winners in there so it’s difficult to work out. She’s a lovely filly and hopefully she can pick up some black type.

David Probert, rider of Mlle Chanel
She was very green when she won on her debut at Chester but I expect her to be better suited to a more conventional track and a stiff finish. It’s a tough race and the goal would be black type.

David Menuisier, trainer of Pure Gold
It was no surprise she won first time at Kempton as she had been going well at home and should improve as ours are never fully wound up first time. She’s bred to get further and whatever she does here is a bonus as she’ll be a stronger filly later on. We expect the track to suit and hopefully she can handle the ground.

Rod Millman, trainer of Tagline
She has the best form in the race but with all these maiden winners in there you don’t know what you’re taking on. She’s down in class and up in trip which should suit.
Reporting by David Milnes

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