Miss Alpilles bidding for lift off at York

Miss Alpilles has what trainer Ed Walker hopes is a good chance of landing her first Pattern-race prize when she lines up for the £100,000 William Hill Bronte Cup at York on Saturday.

Having ended last season on a high with victories at Goodwood and Newmarket, the latter at Listed level, she reappeared in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot for her first try in Group Three company.

She was far from disgraced in finishing third to Sweet William and Caballo De Mar – who franked the form in no uncertain terms in France on Friday – and stays in Group Three waters on the Knavesmire.

Lambourn-based Walker said: “She is in great order. I was really happy with her run at Ascot.

“It’s probably not ideal coming back in trip, I think she stays very well. But I think this is as good an opportunity as she’ll get to try to bag a Group race.”

George Downing is back aboard Miss Alpilles for the first time in just over a year, and Walker added: “George knows her very well and it’s a good opportunity for him – he’s a big part of our team.

“He played a big part in helping to get this filly just to relax, switch off and be able to stay these trips, so it’s great to give him a chance. The quicker the ground the better.”

Setting the standard in the race is John and Thady Gosden’s Danielle, last seen hacking up at Doncaster in November, before which she had been fifth to Kalpana in the Group One British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot.

Another valuable event on the card is the William Hill Epic Boost Handicap worth £65,000 over the flying five furlongs.

Newmarket trainer Stuart Williams is one of those in contention, running his Goodwood second King Of Light, the mount of Sean Kirrane.

Williams said: “We’re very much looking forward to running King Of Light at York.

“I was very happy with his comeback run – I think he’s a progressive horse.

“He’s come out of that Goodwood race really well.

“A big field and a sprint handicap, it’s going to be very competitive. But we’re happy with the draw (seven), have got a good jockey booked and I’m very hopeful for a good run.”