Simple Verse back and up in trip
Super filly Simple Verse returns to action today at the track where she rocketed to fame 12 months ago.
Qatar Racing's four-year-old (pictured below) lines up in Doncaster's Gr.2 DFS Park Hill Stakes (15.05) on day two of the racecourse's annual St Leger meeting. Simple Verse won the Ladbrokes-sponsored Gr.1 St Leger in 2015, and followed that up by taking the Gr.1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies' and Mares' Stakes.
In three races earlier this summer she did not get her head in front, and after a disappointing effort in the Gr.2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot she was given a holiday at Sheikh Fahad's Longholes Stud in Newmarket under the care of Lou Cornwell. Returned to trainer Ralph Beckett in mid-July, she now steps back up in trip for a race over the St Leger distance.
Simple Verse is the highest-rated horse in today's 12-runner Park Hill (two non-runners this morning), but there are plenty of classy rivals in opposition her stablemate Alyssa is chasing a fourth straight win, but is moving up from handicap company, while California is on a hat-trick, having won a Group Three race last time out. Abington, from Sir Michael Stoute's yard, is another interesting contender, having won a Listed race at York last month.
Oisin Murphy rides Simple Verse, and also her stablemate Rich Legacy, who runs in the Gr.2 May Hill Stakes (14.30) the filly won on debut at Newmarket, was then fourth in the Gr.3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood, but should appreciate racing over a furlong further in today's race.
Chantilly's card this afternoon includes a trio of intriguing Group races, and the reappearance of Qatar Racing and Sheikh Abdullah's Qatar Power in the Gr.3 Prix Du Pin. He won a Listed race on his latest start for Freddy Head's stable.
Oisin Murphy heads to Chelmsford after his Doncaster rides, and he partners the Henry Candy-trained Sun Angel, who is one of three Qatar Racing runners in a fillies' maiden race (18.10) Island In The Sky (David Simcock), the mount of apprentice Sophie Killoran, and the Royston Ffrench-ridden Lady Cleo (Stuart Williams), are also in the 13-strong field.
Murphy subsequently partners Honorina for Qatar Racing and trainer Sir Michael Stoute in a fillies' handicap (19.10). The very well-bred daughter of Sea The Stars won a maiden at Kempton on her latest start, and returns to an all-weather track and for a race over a mile for this latest assignment.
Photograph of Simple Verse: Laurence Squire