Can Group 1 runner-up See The Fire join Arc heroine Bluestocking on the Middleton roll of honour?

The Middleton Stakes sometimes unearths a superstar and Bluestocking proved to be just that in 2024, although few would have predicted it at the time.

Bluestocking reappeared at York with frustrating form figures of 232422 after winning her novice as a juvenile. In that sense, comparisons can be drawn with See The Fire.

Andrew Balding largely campaigned See The Fire at the highest level and her form figures in such races at three read 054235. When she briefly left the Group 1 ranks, she bolted up at this track in the Strensall Stakes at the Ebor meeting. 

That performance and her fast-finishing second to Opera Singer in the Nassau, gives her standout claims. 

The Strensall victory against the boys is a persuasive effort. Off what was only an even pace, See The Fire was second-last at the 3f marker and quickest through each of the final three furlongs, running out a smooth winner.

See The Fire: won the Strensall Stakes at York last yearCredit: GROSSICK RACING

She bounces off this fast ground and it is expected that her close fifth in the Gordon Richards Stakes on a slower surface brings her forward.

Group 1 assignments like the Pretty Polly Stakes are presumably high on See The Fire’s agenda. That was Bluestocking’s chosen course after the Middleton.

Beautiful Love is the biggest danger over a more suitable trip if returning to the form of her Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf fourth. History may tell us she bumped into a top-notcher when third to improving stablemate Cinderella’s Dream in the Dahlia this month.

This trip looks on the sharp side for the returning Nakheel, who looked a stayer in two 1m4f races in the summer before enhancing her form by striking in the Park Hill. We may see her best only later in the season.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

'She was the best filly in Italy last year'

Sioux Life is Marco Botti’s latest ex-Italian project after being transferred to him over winter from his native country, where she won four of her five races for his cousin Edmundo last year.

She has shown plenty of promise in her homework since switching to Prestige Place stables in Newmarket and holds a Group 1 engagement in Ireland next month.

Botti said: “We’ve been really pleased with Sioux Life at home in the morning since she joined us. It's hard to compare Italian form with British, but she was the best filly in Italy last year and won a Group 2 at the end of the season in Rome really well, although that was on soft ground. 

Marco Botti: "We’ve been really pleased with Sioux Life since she joined us"Credit: Edward Whitaker

"Before that her only defeat came in the Italian 1,000 Guineas, but she was sick after that.

“As a Sioux Nation she'd probably appreciate a bit of give in the ground, but we thought York will have nice ground and we need to find a little bit more about her. We think this trip will suit her and we expect her to be competitive.

“She was trained by my cousin Edmundo in Italy from whom we had Jakkalberry a few years ago. He did very well for us and won the American St Leger and was third in the Melbourne Cup."

What they say

Tim Gredley, of the Gredley family, owners of Ambiente Amigo
She's really good and already has bagged her Listed race, so she's done our job for us. She's improved a lot since last year and going jumping helped her. We've also figured out what she wants is a strong mile and a quarter. We don't know if she's up to this level but there's only one way to find out.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Beautiful Love
She ran a solid race on her seasonal return in the Dahlia Stakes and came out of the race very well. Stepping back up in trip will help and conditions at York should suit. She should be very competitive.

Charlie Appleby: runs Beautiful Love in the MiddletonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Alison Begley, racing manager to Al Shaqab, owners of Doha
She takes a bit of time to come to herself in the spring, which is why she’s coming out now. This was always the plan. She hated the very soft ground at Ascot last October, but this will be better for her and Ralph Beckett thinks she’ll get a mile and a half in time.

Owen Burrows, trainer of Nakheel
In an ideal world, I’d love to have had a drop of rain. She does seem to appreciate a little bit of juice in the ground, but she goes on fast ground. Physically, she’s done very well through the winter, I’ve been very pleased with her. She’s a Group 2 winner, so we’d love to try and make her a Group 1 winner one day.

James Tate, trainer of Royal Dress
She’s won a Group 3 already, so this is the next plan and she’s in great form for her reappearance. The trip will be fine for her but we don’t know about the ground as all her best form is with some ease, but they do a great job with the watering.
Reporting by David Milnes 

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