So Mi Dar heads Middleton six So Mi Dar heads a field of six as the one-time Oaks fancy makes her eagerly-awaited seasonal debut in the Betfred Middleton Stakes at York on Thursday. The John Gosden-trained filly staked a big claim for Classic honours when winning the Musidora Stakes at this meeting 12 months ago only to be ruled out of Epsom through injury. She returned to action in the autumn with a Listed victory at Yarmouth and wound up by finishing a close third in the Prix de l'Opera at Chantilly. Connections will be hoping for a clear run this term but faces no easy task against opposition that includes her stablemate The Black Princess. The daughter of Iffraaj is a Group Three winner in France already this spring. Sir Michael Stoute has two strong contenders in Queen's Trust, winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, and Smart Call, a triple Grade One scorer in her native South Africa. Andrew Balding's Blond Me and Chain Of Daisies, from Henry Candy's stable, complete the sextet.
