Trainers give the lowdown as Varian looks to Princess

7:30 York
British Stallion Studs EBF Lyric Fillies' Stakes (Listed) | 1m2½f | 3yo+ fillies & mares | RUK

Ajman Princess drops down into Listed company after two placed efforts in Group races to give Newmarket another leading hope in a race that has gone their way four years running.

The Sheikh Obaid-owned filly was third in the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes and Group 2 Lancashire Oaks, both at Haydock. She was a five-length winner on her last try in this class, at Goodwood in May, and carries a 3lb penalty for that victory.

“Ajman Princess is a strong traveller with a high cruising speed, so we thought it well worth testing her credentials back over ten furlongs," Varian said.

"She has to shoulder a penalty, but she still comes out second-best on the weight-adjusted figures and these conditions will suit.”

Among her opponents is Aim To Please, a newcomer for Karl Burke, who has received the four-year-old filly from Francois Doumen in France.

Her last two runs have both been in Britain, most recently finishing just less than four lengths behind Qemah in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes last month.

"Obviously it's her first run for us, but she's in great form and has come out well from her run at Ascot, where it was plenty quick enough for her," Burke said. "It's a learning curve, but we're looking forward to seeing her run and she's a nice filly."

Forecast showers for York were music to the ears of Luca Cumani, who has been waiting for softer going to run Rosental.

He said: "She hasn't been able to run much this year because she prefers some give in the ground and there hasn't been much about in the races she could have run in, so we're hoping for another shower or two – that will help her. Good ground with a little bit of give should be okay. She's in good form and ready to go."

Connections of Playful Sound are hoping she can bounce back from a blip at Nottingham last time, when she was sent off favourite but beat only one home.

Gary Coffey, racing manager to owners Newsells Park Stud, said: "She's very well and Sir Michael Stoute is happy with her. She didn't run her race at Nottingham – nothing came to light from that, she just misfired on the day – but she seems to be training well and we'll proceed from here."

Ralph Beckett is two-handed, and said of his pair: "Things haven't gone Pure Art's way so far this year, but I'm hopeful they will here. I suspect Very Dashing is better on Polytrack, but she's in good form at home."

William Haggas, trainer of Entsar, added: "This will be her last run for us as she's off to Australia next week. The more it rains the better it will suit her."