Boughey backing Soprano to be on song in Valiant Stakes
‘I couldn’t be much happier with how she has trained heading into this race.’
Royal Ascot heroine Soprano returns to the scene of her finest hour seeking a first Group-level victory in the Longines Valiant Stakes. George Boughey’s daughter of Starspangledbanner thrived over Ascot’s straight mile when claiming the Sandringham Stakes at the Royal meeting, but now looks to claim Group Three honours when tackling the Berkshire track’s round course. Since her Sandringham success she has finished a respectable third when encountering soft ground in Sandown’s Listed Coral Distaff. However, conditions should be ideal on Saturday afternoon for the three-year-old to return to her very best, with weighing-room star Billy Loughnane retaining the partnership.Boughey said: “It was a gallant effort on ground that was probably too slow for her at Sandown but it was good to see her show her versatility. “She was never likely to get into the race from that draw and having to sit so far off the pace, but I couldn’t be much happier with how she has trained heading into this race and hopefully we get some decent ground and she should go there with a very good chance. “There’s happy memories at Ascot and she’s a much more straightforward filly these days, you can just ride her wherever she lands and it’s over to Billy – he knows her very well from home and obviously on the track now as well.” Soprano is one of a trio of three-year-olds in the contest, with John and Thady Gosden’s Friendly Soul dropping back in trip having disappointed when sent off favourite for the Musidora earlier in the season and Charlie Appleby’s Devoted Queen looking to maintain her unbeaten record. Having opened her account at Newmarket late last season, Devoted Queen has confirmed the promise in two outings this year, firstly scoring at Kempton before striking at Listed level at York.
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