Any rain would help Estrange on her Carlisle return Connections are praying for some ease underfoot at Carlisle to allow top-class filly Estrange to get her campaign under way in the in the Betway Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes. David O’Meara’s grey was a brilliant winner of the Group Three contest at its usual home of Haydock 12 months ago and returned to the Merseyside circuit to win the Lancashire Oaks during the summer. Estrange proved she belongs at the highest level when second to Minnie Hauk in the Yorkshire Oaks and with a planned tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe having to be shelved, she signed off for 2025 finishing best of the rest behind Kalpana on Champions Day at Ascot. “I think they’re going to put some water on and I was hoping they might catch a storm or some sort of rainfall. We’ll see, hopefully we’ll be able to get her season started,” said Chris Richardson, managing director of owners Cheveley Park Stud. “Time will tell whether she’s improved, but she looks great in herself and David seems happy. It’s just typical we’ve had another year of dry conditions, which isn’t ideal, but there we go – it is what it is. “These are the cards we’ve been dealt and whatever happens she’s got some nice entries going forward. I’m sure we’ll walk the track and see how we get on.” Estrange’s seven rivals include the Owen Burrows-trained pair of Azaniya and Waardah. Azaniya won two Listed races in France in the autumn but could only finish fifth on her reappearance in a Group Three at Saint-Cloud, while Lillie Langtry Stakes winner Waardah has been off the track since her eighth place behind Kalpana and Estrange in October. It will be a first visit to Carlisle for Burrows, who said: “Azaniya has had a run in France and it was a bit quick that day, but we think this slightly further trip will suit her. “We’ve been very pleased with Waardah at home and she looks great and ready to start. She has shown a preference for a little bit more juice in the ground but obviously so has the favourite. “We need to get Waardah started and I’m pleased with the pair of them. I’ve never been to Carlisle but having two in a Group Three doesn’t happen often so I’ll head up and hopefully they run well.” Crepe Suzette and Naga are both sent into battle by John and Thady Gosden, with Ed Bethell’s Coedana, George Boughey’s Sharpen and Patagonia Girl from Hugo Palmer’s yard completing the field.
