Ainippe steps up for another group three win

Her victory (pictured), over seven furlongs, was some compensation for the defeat of Wind Fire in the previous day's Gr.3 Sprint Stakes, known as the Coral Charge, at Sandown.

Carrying the colours of Qatar Racing, three-year-old Ainippe beat Godolphin's Majestic Queen and the dead-heaters Slipper Orchid and Queen Nefertiti by a length and a half and three-quarters of a length.

Trainer Ger Lyons, quoted in European Bloodstock News, said: "She's a little diamond to have in the yard. She has proper natural speed and this is the first time we have had to step her up in trip.

She was off her feet early doors, but she tries her heart out and gives you everything. I brought her here to see what she would be like over the trip.

"If she stays in training next year she could step up to a mile and aim for something like the Gr.1 Matron Stakes. I'm not sure where she will go next, although the Gr.2 Park Stakes at Doncaster could be a possibility."

Wind Fire had to settle for second of nine at Sandown on Saturday, but her half-length defeat by favourite Waady was another good effort by the David Brown-trained filly. However, there was a sting for jockey Oisin Murphy, who was adjudged to have caused interference to other rivals when attempting to get a clear run, and was given a nine-day suspension.

Qatar Racing's unbeaten four-year-old Lightning Spear could bid to extend his winning run to five on Saturday - trainer Olly Stevens had already entered the colt in two heritage handicaps, namely the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket and John Smith's Cup at York, but could add the Gr.2 Summer Mile at Ascot to the equation.

Lightning Spear already holds a Group Two entry, in Glorious Goodwood's Celebration Mile.