One of two Group races on Haydock’s card on Saturday, the Pinnacle Stakes pitches some promising middle distance fillies and mares against one another. Find out our verdict below alongside Bet365‘s new customer offer of Bet £10, Get £50 In Free Bets.
By Starlight (Henry Candy, Dane O’Neill) 33/1
Daughter of Sea The Stars who did very well in handicaps for connections last season. Progressed over a stone, which saw Henry Candy enter her in Newmarket’s Group 3 Princess Royal Stakes. However, she was never involved that day, while she was well beaten on her return last season off a mark of just 72. Difficult to make a compelling case.
Climate (Jessica Harrington, James Doyle) 9/2
Irish raider who took six starts to get off the mark, but has subsequently done better than expected in Group races. Won her maiden over 1m, but has competed over 1m1f-2f in her higher tier contests, with solid form of 454. First two were in notably big fields and she has seen out each trip well. Step up to 1m4f could easily bring about further improvement as a daughter of Australia, but trainer is just 2/38 with runners in the UK away from Ascot and Newmarket in the last five years.
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Darlectable You (John & Thady Gosden, Frankie Dettori) 9/1
Younger sister of Lah Ti Dar, So Mi Dar and Too Darn Hot, and so far she is playing catch-up with her siblings. All of those won at Group 2 level and above, but this filly only recently got off the mark as a four-year-old, scraping home by a neck off a mark of 80 at Windsor. Progression obviously possible given how outstanding her family is, but she is bottom of these on ratings. Racecourse evidence suggests she needs much more and step up to 1m4f not not an obvious plus.
Folk Dance (David Simcock, Jamie Spencer) 40/1
Progressed through handicap ranks in 2020, with form of 72121 in her three-year-old season. Gradually improved for stepping up in trip, culminating in a 3¼ length success at Newmarket. Was then off the track for 587 days, so very likely that she needed the run at Goodwood on first try at Listed level recently. Although last of seven, it was a strong enough race for the level and she was far from disgarced. She should come on for that and possible that she is not as far behind these as the ratings or market suggest.
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Invite (Andrew Balding, David Probert) 14/1
Did very well for both Sylvester Kirk and Marco Botti, prior to joining Andrew Balding in July last year. Won a Chester Listed race on her first start for him, but has found things more difficult since, steadily regressing with each run. Fifth in Group Champions Fillies And Mares’ Stakes was respectable to conclude last season, but well-held at this level on two starts in 2022. Headgear is reached for, but it will have to work wonders.
Lady Hayes (Roger Varian, Ray Dawson) 11/2
Won her first two career starts, but although winless since, this daughter of Kodiac has been very consistent since. Holds four placed efforts between Listed and Group 2 level, with recent neck second at Goodwood possibly representing a career best. Given she did not go as well fresh last season, that run can be viewed even more positively. A repeat performance would not leave her too far from challenging and improvement is not ruled out either.
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Nell Quickly (Denis Coakley, Hollie Doyle) 8/1
Has enjoyed a fantastic sequence in handicaps against her own sex. Indeed, her whole racing career to date has been rock solid, with four wins, a second and a fourth from seven starts. Completed a hat-trick in her last three starts when winning at Newmarket in October, all of which combined to raise her 19lb in the handicap and on the cusp of Pattern company. Last victory was particularly impressive in the way she rallied and clearly stays this trip very likeably. In with a shout of continuing that progression if fit after a winter layoff.
Noon Star (Sir Michael Stoute, Richard Kingscote) 7/2
Trainer now has the Derby favourite and a potential middle distance superstar on his hands. That is a fine renaissance for him in 2022, but if anything this filly represents the reverse of that. Is sensationally bred and was seen as a potential Oaks candidate last year, but only has a Listed win to show since winning a Wetherby novice in April 2021. Should stay 1m4f on step back up to this trip, but never involved in a Group 2 latest and not an alluring price.
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Sea La Rosa (William Haggas, Tom Marquand) 11/4
Owner, trainer and jockey are enjoying an extraordinary run between them. Colours have been carried to success in three Listed races recently and this filly came on leaps and bounds throughout 2021. Won four times, initially rising through handicaps, but scored in very taking fashion in 1m5f Listed race at Lingfield in October. Off since, but won on her comeback last season and with connections in such phenomenal form, it is easy to see her being up to this.
Viola (James Fanshawe, Daniel Muscutt) 20/1
Conceded Sea La Rosa 12lb when beating her at Doncaster last summer. However, gradually fell behind that rival, including when beaten eight lengths by her in Lingfield Listed event with just a 6lb concession and suddenly looks up against it on level weights with her. A significant positive for her is that she might well be better on turf and she also goes well fresh. Ratings suggest she is up against it, but she is not miles away from the required standard.
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Verdict
Younger horses could come to the fore here with SEA LA ROSA and Lady Hayes making most appeal. The former is preferred due to the extraordinary form of connections and she should go well fresh. Viola and Folk Dance are both reasonable each-way options with a couple of the shorter-priced runners not making a great deal of appeal.
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