'She potentially is the best we've had' - Estrange enters Arc picture with runaway Group 3 win

They do not come much shrewder than David O'Meara. He said Estrange should be entered for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and was proved spot on as she bolted up and had her odds slashed for Longchamp.

The Cheveley Park-owned four-year-old had run only three times and was making her Group-race debut in the Betfred Nifty 50 Lester Piggott Fillies' Stakes, but she was always cruising under Danny Tudhope and came from off the pace to win by a crushing four and a quarter lengths, earning Arc quotes of 16-1 (from 66).

"Danny said she has a great temperament and is a dream to ride," said O'Meara. "You can put her anywhere and when you want her you just give a small squeeze and she comes to life under you. For me and for the yard it's brilliant to have a filly like this.

"We'll stay away from quick conditions but the Pretty Polly in Ireland could be considered, there's the Lancashire Oaks back here and the Yorkshire Oaks too. Dare I say, if she was good enough it would be great to be considering Longchamp.

"She hasn't won a Group 1 race yet but she potentially is the best we've had; she looks very good." 

The win completed a double for O'Meara and Tudhope after Stressfree, who makes a habit of going close in middle-distance handicaps, finally got his head back in front in the £45,000 1m4f contest.

"He's been very consistent, he's got a lot of ability but he's often the bridesmaid," said his trainer. "We sent him hurdling through the winter to try to toughen him up more than anything.

"It was an excellent ride by Danny but I'm never confident with this horse because he's come out on the wrong end of a battle before. He did nothing wrong today and it was a great performance. 

"He could go to Ascot for a handicap over a mile and a half, and I think he'd get the trip in the Ebor. He keeps a little bit back, so you wouldn't know how good he is."

Stressfree (left) snatches victory by a neck in the 1m4f handicapCredit: John Grossick

Lady's first

Temple Stakes-winning trainer Ed Walker landed another valuable sprint as Balmoral Lady took the Achilles Stakes.

Whereas Mgheera always looked the winner in Group 2 company last weekend, her stablemate had to wait for a gap before pouncing inside the final furlong to snare this Listed contest under Paul Mulrennan.

"I was a little bit stuck in a pocket, but the longer I was filling her up the better, and I just needed a little bit of room," said the jockey. "When the gap came she was brave. She's got stronger over the winter and she's worthy of this level."

Winning owner Laurence Bellman said: "Paul was magic on her. She's in the King Charles III at Royal Ascot but I'd like the ground good or softer — the softer it is, the better."

Balmoral Lady scores under Paul MulrennanCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Poignant win for Kodi

The Mick Appleby-trained Kodi Lion scored a poignant success under Frederick Larson in the 6f handicap.

"Today is very special," said Liz Cash, who owns the winner in partnership with her mother. "We lost my dad four years ago today, so he's looking down and urged him on.

"Kodi Lion could go to Ascot for the Buckingham Palace Stakes if he goes up enough in the handicap."

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