Kate fired up for Chariot

John Gosden feels Elusive Kate is in rude health for the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket today.

The handler is wary of the competition, though, and believes this season’s renewal is as good as there has been in recent years.

Four of the eight fillies are already Group One winners, with another three horses having been successful at Group Two level.

Elusive Kate arguably brings the strongest form into the race, having followed up a narrow second in the Falmouth Stakes with victory in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville.

However, perhaps her best run came in defeat when she was just over a length behind Excelebration and Cityscape in the Prix Jacques le Marois.

“Elusive Kate is in fine form,” said Gosden.

“She has been freshened up a bit since Deauville and it looks a phenomenal race.

“She’s run well this year, won the Rothschild, and then was third in the Jacques le Marois against the colts.

“She’s a tough little cookie and we’ll see how she goes.

“It looks as good a Sun Chariot as you’ll see.”

Henry Cecil is doubly represented by Chachamaidee, who was awarded the Matron Stakes in the stewards’ room, and new recruit Beauty Parlour.

The latter, owned by the Wildenstein family, lost her unbeaten record in the French Oaks on her final start for Elie Lellouche.

Cecil told his website, www.sirhenrycecil.com: “Beauty Parlour joined us in mid-July and has had some time off since finishing second in the Prix Diane.

“She seems to be in good form and has shown us she likes plenty of cut in the ground.

“Chachamaidee, who is happier on faster ground, has held her form very well all season and we are hoping that she can run another good race.”

Mick Channon expects Laugh Out Loud to be involved in the finish, as long as she can settle in the early stages.

The Prix de Sandringham winner returned from her summer break to be beaten just a length into fourth in the Matron, but this time meets Chachamaidee on better terms.

“She’s up against the same sort of fillies and is in great form,” Channon said.

“We gave her a break after Ascot because we hit her quite hard at the start of the year. As long as she settles we’d be very hopeful.”