Gosden wants rain for Reflection

John Gosden is looking to the skies as he bids to win back-to-back renewals of the Normandie Stud Lupe Stakes at Goodwood tomorrow.

The Manton trainer, successful with Ocean Silk 12 months ago, relies this year on the progressive Shady Reflection in the 10-furlong Listed contest.

But he admitted: “To be honest, she could do with a drop of rain. She was a bit backward last year, but she is a fast-improving filly. She was only rated 75 when she won at Ascot last time, but she has come on a lot.”

Having run down the field in a couple of fast-ground maidens last season, Shady Reflection was sent to Hamilton in September, where she won a median auction event over a mile.

“It was good to soft ground there – and we wouldn’t have sent her to Hamilton otherwise,” he smiled.

On her seasonal debut in April, she beat Glen Innes by a short head in a mile Listed event at Ascot.

Gosden said: “It was soft ground at Ascot and there is no denying she would prefer a bit of cut. But if the rain did arrive – which, unfortunately, does not look like happening – she would have every chance.”

John Dunlop’s Madaeh and Spotlight are out to advertise their Royal Ascot credentials.

However, Ribblesdale Stakes entry Madaeh has to overcome a 228-day lay-off, while Spotlight must put behind her a disappointing run in Attraction’s 1000 Guineas, where she finished last of the 16 runners.

“It is Madaeh’s seasonal debut. Both are well and have worked well,” said Dunlop, who feels that Spotlight’s Newmarket run could be largely forgiven.

“Spotlight was drawn on the stands’ side rail at Newmarket and it was a bit of a muddle really. We weren’t sure which way they would all go, so it didn’t work out as well as could have been expected.

“She didn’t really like the fuss before the Guineas and got a bit worked up. I hope she handles the preliminaries a bit better tomorrow.”

Michael Kinane rides Spotlight, who holds an entry in the Group One Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot next month, for the first time.

“The ground will be perfect and she should stay the mile and a quarter,” added the Arundel trainer.

An authoritative display from Al Sifaat could give Godolphin another string to their Vodafone Oaks bow.

She will be making her seasonal debut having won the second of her two starts at Leicester last September.

Sheikh Mohammed’s operation are already responsible for leading Oaks fancies Sundrop and Punctilious, with Al Sifaat currently on offer at around 33-1.

Two other runners – Ed Dunlop’s Deraasaat and the Peter Harris-trained Halicardia – hold entries in next month’s Epsom Classic and both are 33-1 shots for the Oaks.

Henry Candy’s Carini, unbeaten in two starts as a two-year-old, completes the seven-strong field.