This race was won by Al Aasy 12-months ago and Shadwell look to have another good opportunity this time around with ESHAADA. Fillies and Mares don’t have a great record in this race in recent times, with only Hawaafez (2012) landing this in the last 10 years, but only 6 have tried and none had the profile of Eshaada. She was last seen winning the Fillies and Mares Stakes on Champions Day in October, when she held of Albaflora and Snowfall in a driving finish up the Ascot hill. That was just her 5th career start and there is surely further improvement in Roger Varian’s Filly, who has upcoming entries in both the Coronation Cup and the Hardwicke Stakes in the next 6-weeks.
She is one of only two Group 1 winners in the field, but she looks to have more tactical speed than her main rival Scope, who was seen to best effect when winning the Prix Royal-Oak over 15-furlongs on soft ground in October and is surely vulnerable with the penalty on his back at this trip. Eshaada won the Fillies Trial stakes at this meeting 12-months ago and there should be no real concerns over her fitness. She should take this on these terms before moving back into Group 1 company next month.
