Song hardens as favourite for Falmouth

SOVIET SONG was cut to 7-4 favourite (from 5-2) by Coral yesterday day to land back-to-back runnings of the UAE Equestrian And Racing Federation Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket tomorrow.

Ladbrokes make the James Fanshawe-trained mare a 15-8 chance after the name of Attraction failed to appear among the final declarations for the Group One contest.

Mark Johnston’s star filly was on course for the one-mile showpiece until she bruised a foot when a shoe slipped off last month.

Connections had been hoping to get her back on the track for the first time since she was well beaten in Hong Kong in April.

Jim Bolger’s triple Group One winner Alexander Goldrun will ensure the Elite Racing Club-owned Soviet Song does not have things all her own way.

The four-year-old was shortened to 11-4 from 3s by Ladbrokes.

Sir Michael Stoute relies on Peeress after his Chic was the only other withdrawal at the 48-hour stage.

Sundrop will represent the Godolphin operation, with Kerrin McEvoy replacing the injured Frankie Dettori.

Peeress and Sundrop have met each other twice already this season, with the score standing at one apiece.

Stoute’s filly defeated Sundrop in the Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot at York last time after they finished the other way round in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom on Derby day.

The three runners from this year’s Classic generation all have high-class form.

Karen’s Caper was fourth in the 1000 Guineas and was then beaten a short head in the Coronation Stakes at York, while Cape Columbine was fifth and fourth respectively in those two races.

Penkenna Princess found the fast ground against her in the 1000 Guineas, but appreciated the cut at the Curragh three weeks later to finish a short-head second in the Irish equivalent.

The going is good on the July course.

The latest weather forecast indicates that showers are likely tonight and into Monday morning, with further rain due on Tuesday evening.

“It’s lovely good ground out there and with two days to go before the biggest race meeting of the year on the July course, I could not be happier with it at this stage,” said clerk of the course Michael Prosser after walking the track this morning.

“All seven fillies in the Falmouth will go to post with a serious chance and it will be fascinating to see how this year’s Classic crop can fare against the best of the older generation.”

Falmouth Stakes betting:

Coral: 7-4 Soviet Song, 11-4 Alexander Goldrun, 5-1 Peeress, 6-1 Sundrop, 13-2 Karen’s Caper, 16-1 Cape Columbine, 25-1 Penkenna Princess.

Ladbrokes: 15-8 Soviet Song, 11-4 Alexander Goldrun, 5-1 Peeress, 7-1 Karen’s Caper, Sundrop, 12-1 Cape Columbine, 25 Penkenna Princess.