Newmarket Sunday

1:50 William Hill Pretty Polly Stakes (Listed) 1m 2f

Kalpana bolted up in a handicap at the Craven meeting, making a mockery of an opening mark of 78, but while that was very stylish, the performance didn’t make quite the same impression on the clock as the eye, and she looks short enough in the betting for what is traditionally a very strong race for the grade.

Preference at the early prices is for Chelmsford winner Winter Snowfall, a Galileo half-sister to listed winner Dancing Goddess, out of UAE 1000 Guineas winner Winter Lightning. She only beat Oaks entry Danielle by half a length at Chelmsford, but that filly went on to win by a dozen lengths in a mile and a quarter novice at Wetherby. She looks an Oaks prospect if progressing as expected and can take this en route.

2:25 William Hill Dahlia Stakes (Group 2) 1m 1f

Once again I find myself at odds with the compilers, and I’ve no interest in early market leader Running Lion, who had a huge reputation this time last year but didn’t progress quite as expected.

She has a chance on her best efforts but needs to improve to win in my view so looks too short at odds around 7/4.

Stay Alert isn’t consistent but she has the best form on offer having been somewhat unlucky when second to Via Sistina in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh last summer. She was better than the result after a slow start in a hot running of the Yorkshire Oaks on her next outing, and I’m inclined to ignore her underwhelming efforts afterwards in Group 1 company.

Her tendency to give ground away at the stalls is a concern, but she’s capable of giving these a start and a beating if at her peak.

3:00 William Hill Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1m 6f

Intinso was too coltish last season but showed plenty of ability and improved on his return - having been gelded - when winning at Wolverhampton. He very much caught my eye when third in the Rosebery Handicap at Kempton last time, faring best of those who raced off the pace in a race which the front-running pair Cemhaan and Killybegs Warrior dominated. Despite looking a little headstrong at Kempton, he impressed with how well he saw the race out and promises to progress again as his stamina is drawn out.

3:40 Qipco 1000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) 1m

Karl Burke did particularly well with his juvenile fillies in 2023, with Darnation and Fallen Angel both looking top-notch prospects, but while the former is almost certainly in need of soft ground to show her form, Fallen Angel is more adaptable, and she had a below-par Porta Fortuna behind when winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes over seven furlongs at the Curragh.

She had to quicken twice to score in the Moyglare, and impressed in the way she responded when joined by runner-up Vespertilio, coming away to win with authority after looking to face a stern challenge.

She ought to stay a mile and deserves to be favourite on the Moyglare run, but I fancy that Porta Fortuna can give her a fright.

Donnacha O’Brien’s filly won the Albany at Royal Ascot, lost her form mid-season, and roared back to win the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes before an excellent second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf over a mile.

That seemed to prove her stamina, albeit on a turning track, and while she has been quoted as needing fast turf, there is also a chance that she disappointed between June and September last year because she was growing at that stage.

She certainly filled the eye much more at Newmarket than she did at Royal Ascot, and I think she’s the type to train on well.

Confidence would be boosted if the ground dried back with a bit of weekend sunshine, but she’s worth an interest unless it turned very soft.

Sunday

Winter Snowfall 1:50 Newmarket – 2pts win @ 7/2 (general)

Stay Alert 2:25 Newmarket – 1pt win @ 6/1 (Bet365, 11/2 general)

Intinso 3:00 Newmarket – 2pts win @ 7/1 (general)

Porta Fortuna 3:40 Newmarket – 1pt win @ 16/1 (Hills, 14/1 general)