Outstanding credentials likely to eclipse Richard Fahey' Lily’s Angel (From York Press)

Outstanding credentials likely to eclipse Richard Fahey' Lily’s Angel

9:44am Saturday 5th May 2012 in Sport By Tom O'Ryan, Racing journalist

Irish ace Aidan O’Brien, represented in this afternoon’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas by hot favourite Camelot, can hit the jackpot in tomorrow’s Qipco 1,000 Guineas with Maybe, who was unbeaten in five starts as a juvenile.

This classy filly sets the standard of this Classic contest. Not only did she win the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, she gained the highlight of a wonderful first campaign when landing the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. A daughter of Montjeu, she promises to relish this step up to a mile and has outstanding credentials.

North Yorkshire eyes will be on Lily’s Angel, trained by Richard Fahey, whose Barefoot Lady finished fifth in last year’s race after winning the Nell Gwyn on the same course on her reappeance. Lily’s Angel, a better juvenile than Barefoot Lady, has taken an identical path, and was narrowly beaten into third in the Nell Gwyn, after being drawn wide. She is an outsider to prevail tomorrow, but this four-times winner is tough, consistent and reliable. It would be no great shock to see her creep into a place at big odds.

Whatever the fate of Lily’s Angel, Fahey can make his mark on this top-notch card. The Malton handler has three runners in the competitive Qatar Racing Handicap, and the pick of them promises to be Alben Star, the mount of Paul Hanagan.

The four-year-old has been doing well on the all-weather circuit, but he could be even better back on turf and remains a horse of some potential.

Sparkling Portrait won for Fahey on his reappearance at Beverley a couple of weeks ago and he has every chance of following up under Tony Hamilton in the Al Rayan Handicap.

A runaway winner on his final start last season at Southwell, Sparkling Portrait has a tougher test this time, but he has heaps of potential and is expected to run a big race.

Henry Cecil’s Timepiece, a Group 1 winner last season, should not be overlooked as she reappears in the Qatar Bloodstock Dahlia Stakes, while Hazel Lavery, who did little wrong in three runs as a juvenile for Charlie Hills, is entitled to go well in the Tweenhills Pretty Polly Stakes.

At Hamilton, Bryan Smart can hit the target with Free Zone in the totepool Tangerine Trees Stakes. The race is run in honour of Tangerine Trees, a former course specialist, who went on to win the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbeye Stakes last season.

Smart, who trains Tangerine Trees, will be extra keen to score with Free Zone, who looked good when making a winning reappearance at Thirsk. He has been raised 7lb, but that may not be enough to anchor him.

Racing selections

Newmarket (tomorrow)

2.05 Local Hero, 2.35 Timepiece, 3.15 Maybe, 3.50 Alben Star (NAP), 4.25 Mysterial, 5.00 Hazel Lavery, 5.35 Sparkling Portrait.

Hamilton (tomorrow)

2.15 Crimson Knot, 2.45 Saucy Brown, 3.25 Free Zone, 4.00 Warcrown, 4.35 Georgebernardshaw, 5.10 Jonny Delta, 5.45 Pinball.

Tomorrow’s other meeting

Salisbury.

Today’s meetings

Doncaster, Goodwood, Hexham, Newmarket, Thirsk and Uttoxeter.