Pacific Mission poised for competitive Knavesmire clash

Breeders’ Cup runner-up Pacific Mission returns at York on Friday where she sets the standard in a Sky Bet Fillies’ Stakes that could prove stacked with talent.

Andrew Balding’s daughter of Lope De Vega found just Balantina too good in the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf in Del Mar last November and having missed the chance to bid for Classic honours 1000 Guineas, is now ready to set up the new campaign in her reappearance at Listed level on the Knavesmire.

“We’re looking forward to starting her back, she’s in good form,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“Initially we had hoped to get her to the Guineas after her good run at the Breeders’ Cup last year, but she’s had a couple of little hold-ups, causing us to miss Newmarket, and once we missed that this looked the next sensible target for her.

“She hasn’t won a stakes race yet, so hopefully we’ll get that done at some stage during the season and then step up from there.”

If Pacific Mission brings proven Group-level form to the table, then the potential is provided by Ed Walker’s Synchronicity, a 900,000 guinea sister to Ombudsman who created a deep impression when making a winning debut at Newbury.

The form of that race has been boosted from all angles since, with Walker saying: “I’m very lucky and have some very nice fillies and we think the world of Synchronicity.

“She’s got the pedigree to back it up and the race she won at Newbury couldn’t have worked out any better so far.

“We’re really hopeful she can make the next step and book her position in the Coronation Stakes at Ascot, but there are some formidable opponents lining up. We’ll find out where we are.”

Cheveley Park’s So Regal is bred in the purple and has lived up to her billing by impressing in both outings so far this term. Like many in here, she holds an entry for the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and is one of two for John and Thady Gosden alongside the well-regarded Fashion People.

Charlie Appleby’s Nell Gwyn third Act Of Kindness adds further spice to the mix, with unbeaten pair Botagoz (Roger Varian) and Lilt (William Haggas) completing a field of seven.

There is also Listed action in the Design Tonic Out Of This World Spaces At The Races EBF Marygate Fillies’ Stakes where Kevin Philippart de Foy’s Lover Girl puts her unbeaten record – and Royal Ascot claims – on the line after winning both starts to date.

Philippart de Foy said: “She’s a very straightforward filly who is really sharp. I think the straight five furlongs at York will suit her well, but I wouldn’t want the ground to get too much on the soft side.

“She learned plenty at Salisbury last time and she heads into this race in great shape.

“She will have to take a step forward again to win the Marygate and then again to make Royal Ascot, but she has won two from two so far and has done very little wrong, so I do think more improvement is possible.”

Lover Girl is one of two for owners Amo Racing alongside Karl Burke’s Bath scorer Lady Blanche, with the Spigot Lodge handler also saddling Love A Giggle in a race he won in both 2022 and 2023.

Burke said: “Lady Blanche put up a good performance on very quick ground at Bath. She would appreciate a little bit easier ground I would have thought and she’s one of those two-year-olds fillies that deserves a chance at this time of year.

“Love A Giggle was very straightforward at Southwell and should improve plenty, so they both go there with chances of getting some black type.”