Dobbs banks on girl power at Ascot
The Irish raider was an impressive winner of a Grade Three prize at Leopardstown on her latest appearance and is now set for her first start on British soil.
Dobbs admits her charge has plenty on her plate conceding weight to each of her six opponents, but remains confident of a big run.
“She arrived on Thursday night and she seems to have settled in well,” said the County Wicklow handler.
“She has run very well on her last couple of starts and is coming to England in good nick, so I hope she can run a good race.
“It’s her first try at three miles but as long as the ground is not too tacky and draining, I think she’ll get it all right.
“It won’t be easy giving 5lb to everything else in the race, but I hope she can run very well.”
The pick of the home team would appear to be Kentford Grey Lady, who is stepping up in class following wins at Newbury and Kempton.
“She seems in great order and the ground should be perfect for her,” said trainer Emma Lavelle.
“It’s a step up in class for her, but she has been really impressive the last twice and hopefully she’ll be up to it.
“She showed at Kempton that she stays three miles and once you get her settled, she’s a lovely, straightforward filly.”
Colin Tizzard’s Queen’s Bay has plenty to find on official ratings, but was second to last weekend’s Lanzarote Hurdle winner Swincombe Flame when last in action at Wincanton on Boxing Day.
“She’s surprised us since we’ve had her,” said Tizzard.
“We’ve had no great expectations, but she’s getting better and better.
“We’ll have a look and know where we are after this race. At the weights she’s not well in at all, but we haven’t run her over three miles.
“She wasn’t beaten far by Swincombe Flame at Wincanton on Boxing Day over two miles and she was staying on strongly that day, so she has some sort of chance. In reality, I think she can run a half-decent race.”
