Hope for Falmouth glory but a very strong renewal

One of the most vivid memories of Royal Ascot 2018 was Alpha Centauri’s six-length demolition of a high-class field of fillies in the G1 Coronation Stakes.

The Jessica Harrington-trained three-year-old bounded clear of her rivals on the fast ground to win in her own age group with the greatest authority.

But experience has told Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor it can be unwise to change plans because of one particular opponent, albeit an extremely talented one.

Saeed saddles Arabian Hope in Friday’s G1 Falmouth Stakes, a race he has had in mind for the Godolphin filly since last year’s Newmarket July Meeting.

“She finished third in the Falmouth last year, and I am confident this is the right race for her again this time around,” Saeed said.

As a three-year-old, Arabian Hope finished third in the G1 race behind Roly Poly and Wuheida, both outstanding fillies.

“This will be her second run of the season. She finished seventh in the G2 Duke Of Cambridge last time but she needed the race,” he explained.

“I feel she has been working well and that she is in good condition. I’m hoping for a better run. We respect Alpha Centauri, she is very good, but we believe our filly should take her chance,” he added.

A field of seven will line up for this year’s renewal of the Falmouth, which is particularly strong on quality. The Mark Johnston-trained Threading, who finished second to Alpha Centauri in the Coronation, reopposes, along with her stablemate Nyaleti.