6.05 1m. 8 Declared. Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes (Group 3) of €52,500.00 3-y-o plus
1st - €31,500.00 2nd - €10,500.00 3rd - €5,250.00 4th - €2,625.00 5th - €1,575.00 6th - €1,050.00
FormscanBy John O'Riordan - Royal Ascot winner VILLANOVA QUEEN may be good enough to continue her upward progression for trainer Jessica Harrington. The four-year-old has run two of her better races at this track, winning her maiden and finishing a close third to a subsequent 1000 Guineas winner. Although disappointing on a couple of occasions earlier this season, the filly returned to form at the royal meeting. Mutasarref has yet to recapture his very best this term but the Ger Lyons-trained gelding may be suited by stepping back up to a mile. Having only had a couple of runs at the distance, the son of Dark Angel may well improve for it. Alfred Munnings remains a lightly raced colt with further scope for progression. The application of first-time cheekpieces may well see him in a better light.
For three years old and upwardsWeights - 3-y-o 9st 3lbs 4-y-o and up 9st 9lbs Fillies allowed 3lbsPenalties - (to count from 1st January, 2023) Winner of a Group 3 race 3lb extra Of a Group 2 or a Group 1 race 5lb extra