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UK: Ribblesdale chance for Lark

3 minute read

Investec Oaks third The Lark is among 15 confirmations for the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot on Thursday.

The Michael Bell-trained filly stuck on well to claim minor honours at Epsom and had two other possibles for the Group Two contest, Gertrude Versed and Say, back in eighth and 10th places respectively.

Say's trainer Aidan O'Brien has left in two other of his entries, Just Pretending, who was third in the Irish 1000 Guineas, and Magical Dream.

There is a fourth Irish hopeful in the shape of the Tommy Stack-trained Alive Alive Oh, who slammed Magical Dream by six lengths when winning a Listed race at Navan six weeks ago.

"She'll do a bit of work in the morning (Saturday) and will go for the Ribblesdale, all going according to plan," said Stack's son and assistant, Fozzy.

"She's been working well on the all-weather and the ground wasn't too bad when she won at Navan, so I'm not too worried about the going at Ascot. You never really know until they run on it, but she's a good mover and I don't think it will be too much of a factor.

"They are also throwing plenty of water on the ground. She's a smart filly and will go there with every chance."

John Gosden is responsible for both Gertrude Versed and Winsili, who defeated Thursday's Listed Newbury scorer Cruck Realta on that track last month.

Winisli is owned by Khalid Abdullah, who also has Newmarket maiden winner Riposte, trained by Lady Cecil. She had finished second on her debut behind the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Waila at Sandown. Stoute also has Goodwood Listed victor Elik in the mix.

Withdrawals at the confirmation stage included Oaks heroine Talent, Cheshire Oaks winner Banoffee and Irish 1000 Guineas second Rehn's Nest, who is set to run in the Coronation Stakes on Friday.


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