Leger runner-up Lah Ti Dar leads Gosden duo in Fillies & Mares

2.40 Ascot
Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1) | 1m4f | 3yo+ | ITV/RUK

Can Lah Ti Dar uphold family honour?

It has been a momentous fortnight for Andrew and Madeleine Lloyd Webber and Lah Ti Dar, runner-up in the St Leger behind Kew Gardens at Doncaster, bids to land a first Group 1 success in the Fillies and Mares Stakes following her brother Too Darn Hot's emphatic win in the Dewhurst last Saturday.

Trainer John Gosden, who has the favourite for four of the five Group races on Qipco Champions Day, reported the daughter of Dubawi to be in fine form and holds no obvious concerns about the likely testing conditions.

"Both fillies are in good form and we've had this in mind for Lah Ti Dar since she was second in the St Leger. It was on the soft side when she won at Newbury in the spring, so she should go through it."

The Clarehaven trainer also runs Coronet, third behind the reopposing Hydrangea in this race last year, and a two-and-a-quarter-length second to Arc runner-up Sea Of Class in the Yorkshire Oaks in August.

Gosden said: "We've been planning this race for Coronet since she ran second in the Yorkshire Oaks. She should handle the ground."

Will Kitesurf provide Fabre with a maiden victory?

Kitesurf (near): heads Magic Wand to win the Prix Vermeille at LongchampCredit: racing.com Staff

Andre Fabre has yet to win this showpiece contest for fillies and mares but Group 1 winner Kitesurf is arguably the leading danger to the favourite.

The Godolphin-owned filly produced a career-best performance when winning the Prix Vermeille by a head from Magic Wand and, despite temptations to run in the Arc, heads to Ascot in search of a second Group 1 victory.

Fabre said on Godolphin's website: "She has been in great form since her win in the Vermeille. For a brief moment we were tempted to go the Arc route but the interval between the Vermeille and Ascot works well.

"I think she’ll handle the conditions but this will probably be heavier than she has previously encountered, so it’s not a certainty either."

Can O'Brien strike again with Hydrangea?

Ballydoyle will be well represented again and last year's winner Hydrangea attempts to return to form after finishing a distant last of seven behind Poet's Word in the King George.

The daughter of Galileo made a promising return to the track when second in the Lanwades Stud Stakes at the Curragh in May but has been subsequently well beaten in two starts. The filly will be partnered by Donnacha O'Brien with Ryan Moore, who rode her to victory last year, in the saddle on Magical.

Matron Stakes fourth Magical, who finished tenth in the Arc, is a dual Group 2 winner and her best result at this level is a shoulder second to Happily in the Moyglare Stakes last year.

Irish Oaks third Bye Bye Baby, Broadway, Sizzling and Flattering are the four other runners to make up O'Brien's team.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "Magical ran well in the Arc at her first attempt over the distance and was beaten only five lengths. We've been happy with her since.

"Hydrangea won the race last year. She hasn't run since July but we've been happy with her in recent weeks and she has shown that she is effective on easy ground.

"The other fillies seem to be in good form and we're hoping they run well and might get some black type. Flattering is blinkered for the first time."

Another leading lady for Varian?

Roger Varian enjoyed Group 1 success with Sheikha Reika in the E.P Taylor Stakes in Canada last weekend and looks to the Cheveley Park-owned Pilaster to provide him with a first Champions Day winner.

Varian said: "Pilaster has progressed nicely all year and she ran a career-best in the Park Hill at Doncaster. I don’t think she’ll have any trouble with the drop in trip and I think she will appreciate getting back on to easier ground.

"She’ll need another fair step forward to win, but she has a nice draw and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of her yet.”

Bowing out on a high?

God Given, winner of the Group 2 Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster last time, is to be retired to stud after a second attempt at the top level.

The Luca Cumani-trained filly, a dual Group winner this season at Haydock and Doncaster, finished sixth behind the recently retired Bateel in the Prix Vermeille last year.

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