Cinderella's time for the spotlight

Leader Live

10-07-2025

The Godolphin runner found the reopposing Crimson Advocate just under two lengths too good in last month's Duke of Cambridge Stakes but there are valid reasons to think she can turn that verdict around.
Firstly, Charlie Appleby's charge was conceding 3lb to the winner that day and they are off level weights this time, while jockey William Buick also felt a straight track is a better fit for this daughter of Shamardal.
Cinderella's Dream had previously impressed over nine furlongs in the Dahlia Stakes on the Rowley Mile course and while she is at a weights disadvantage with the likes of January, it has been honours even between the older fillies and the three-year-olds over the last 20 years so perhaps that is not too much of an obstacle to overcome.
Appleby and Buick also have an eyecatching newcomer later on the card as €1.9million breeze-up buy Distant Storm makes his racecourse bow in the Weatherbys British EBF Maiden Stakes.
Venetian Sun was very impressive in victory at Ascot and trainer Karl Burke follows a familiar route by now tackling the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes.
Burke successfully took this route with Dandalla in 2020 and while Venetian Sun did not match that filly's six-length verdict in the Albany Stakes at the Royal meeting, her one-and-a-half-length win was more than good enough.
Having won on debut at Carlisle – beating Argentine Tango who tries her luck again – Burke headed to Ascot with plenty of confidence and Venetian Sun justified that faith with a comfortable verdict that hinted at much more to come.
Story Horse can gain compensation for the narrowest of defeats last time by landing the bet365 Trophy.
A short-head winner on the Rowley Mile at the Guineas meeting, he then clashed with French Master at Goodwood at the end of May, beaten just a neck.
The winner gave a huge boost to the form when landing the Copper Horse Stakes at Ascot and Story Horse should have every chance of adding his own flourish.
Nighteyes can emerge best in a really classy renewal of the William Hill Summer Stakes at York.
She outran her 100-1 odds to finish fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes last month, beaten just over four lengths by impressive winner Lazzat.
David O'Meara's charge had plenty to find on the ratings that day and a similar effort should see her involved in the finish here.
Ghaiyya can bring up her hat-trick in the Investec Out Of The Ordinary EBF Fillies' Handicap at Ascot.
Stepping up to a mile and a half has been the making of this Ghaiyyath filly, with victories at Thirsk and Chester in recent weeks, and a 4lb rise may not be enough to stop her.
SELECTIONS
ASCOT: 2.00 Lady Of Arabia, 2.35 Better And Better, 3.10 Sea Force, 3.45 Ghaiyya, 4.20 Ride The Thunder, 4.55 Fast Track Harry.
CHEPSTOW: 5.35 Happy Chandler, 6.10 Blooming Legend, 6.40 Miakoda, 7.10 Abundance, 7.40 Ajrad, 8.10 Darkened Edge, 8.40 Douglas Dc.
CHESTER: 5.55 Steel Drum, 6.25 Wicksey, 6.55 Annsar, 7.25 Brielle, 7.55 Love Beach, 8.25 Never Dark, 8.55 Petra Celera.
CORK: 5.12 Speakasyoufind, 5.45 Harry's Legacy, 6.15 Prince Of Air, 6.45 Killinure Lass, 7.15 Empire Succes, 7.45 Tag Man, 8.15 Beir Bua.
KILBEGGAN: 4.25 Eye Of A Tiger, 5.00 Saint Peregrine, 5.30 Boston Rajj, 6.00 Freddie Robdal, 6.30 To The Wire, 7.00 County Champs, 7.30 Flash De Touzaine, 8.00 Luckinthecity.
NEWMARKET: 1.50 Marharba Ghaiyyath, 2.25 VENETIAN SUN (NAP), 3.00 Story Horse, 3.35 Cinderella's Dream, 4.10 Distant Storm, 4.45 Leadman, 5.20 Nogo's Dream.
YORK: 2.10 Sword, 2.45 Nighteyes, 3.20 Secret Echo, 3.55 Yokohama, 4.32 Perfidia, 5.07 Brazen Bolt, 5.40 Sir Edward Lear.
DOUBLE: Venetian Sun and Nighteyes.