Sweet Solera Stakes Guide 2021

Charlie Appleby and William Buick, the top trainer and jockey at Newmarket across the past 3 seasons boasting 25% and 23% strike rates respectively, team up in the Sweet Solera Stakes with entrant Wild Beauty.

The Frankel filly won comfortably for her first time step up to the 7f trip upon soft ground at Newbury and subsequently improved once more for the entrance into listed company last time out at Sandown, albeit finishing a well beaten 2nd behind what looks an exciting type for John & Thady Gosden in Inspiral.

She ran green that day and was a little short of room so its likely we didn't see the best of her; trainer and jockey remain in fantastic form across the last 14 days and it would be no surprise to see her take another big step forward in Group company.

John Gosden won this race back in 2008 and boasts a commendable 21% strike rate at Newmarket across the last 3 seasons; he teams up with Oisin Murphy who is in flying form of late on board Sunstrike for the affair.

The daughter of Dark Angel was bogged down in heavy conditions when an 8th placed finisher in the Group 3 Albany Stakes (6f) on her 3rd career start.

She improved massively for the switch back to faster ground and the extended 7f trip last time out in listed company at Sandown and was a 3rd placed finisher behind re-opposing rival Wild Beauty.

Having said this, she didn't find much extra on the run up to the line and Wild Beauty, who had problems in running, seemed to find much more in the latter stages signifying the placing of that form will most likely replicate here.

Value Theory for Mark Johnston poses an interesting proposition in the race given we don't actually know where her ceiling lies given she has only had the 2 runs to date.

The daughter of Gleneagles won in typical Johnston fashion last time out over C&D, making all from the front and going clear in the final 110 yards impressively in a class 4 affair; a run style that also pays dividend to the July Course.

She should improve once more here upon possibly better suited slower ground than the good to firm raised over last time however the race does represent a sharp raise in class and she will need to take a huge step forward to win.

Regardless, she cannot be ruled out.

Shouldavbeenmore for Richard Fahey remains a maiden after 2 career runs however stepped up on her head 2nd on debut to finish a respectable 4th in listed company last time out here at Newmarket over 6f.

The daughter of Penny's Picnic kept on well that day signifying that she should improve for the step up to the 7f trip and if taking another step forward may just be in the mix of things here.

Having said this, Richard Fahey is 0-8 at Newmarket this season and has had just 4 winners in his last 100 runners across the last 14 days, he'll be hoping to put that run of form behind him.

Hilal Kobeissi is a new name in the training game and can be considered a local to the course given he is based in Newmarket.

The trainer saddled his first ever winner in entrant Rolling The Dice on fast ground at Newbury in impressive fashion and he now tries his hand with the runner at at Group level.

The daughter of Mehmas should improve for the affair however the race does represent a big step up for the runner and progeny of Mehmas have a record that drastically underperforms their expected win rate at the course.

Majestic Glory was off the mark at the 3rd time of asking last time out in a class 4 here at Newmarket over 6f and looks the type on paper to take another step forward in the Solera Stakes.

Trainer Andrew Balding has a 33% strike rate over the July Course with his 2-year-olds this season and after keeping on strongly inside the final furlong last time out, the step up to 7f looks sure to suit.

David Probert is employed on board who is in great form currently with a 21% strike rate in the last 14 days and his 25% strike rate at the July Course this season is a further boost to this Frankel fillies chances.

The race does however represent a sharp raise in class and with her looking weak in the early market, that may just tell you what you need to know about peoples thoughts on her capabilities of stepping up to this level on her fourth career start.

Richard Fahey's second entrant for the affair is Nurseclaire who won despite running very green on debut at Carlisle in a class 5 (7f).

The daughter of Ribchester was unable to follow up on that promising opener however on the step up to listed company last time out at Ascot finishing last of 6 on good to firm, which may not be an accurate representation of her ability.

Progeny of Ribchester are known to appreciate softer conditions, however a few forecasted showers may not be enough to sway the ground in a way to considerably favour Nurseclair more than her rivals thereby leaving her again exposed.

David O'Meara's Renaissance improved drastically from her opening 2 runs last time out when winning at Thirsk.

The step up to 7f upon faster ground appeared to greatly benefit the runner and she is now asked to take a huge step forward for the entrance into Group company.

She is another who should improve for the run, however progeny of Caravaggio are 0-25 on straight tracks which doesn't read well for her chances.

Richard Hannon was a twice winner of the Sweet Solera Stakes, back to back in 2016 & 2017; he'll be looking to replicate those success' with Ardbraccan.

Ardbraccan was progressive across her opening three runs and got off the mark at the third time of asking over C&D in a class 3 race.

She was unable to step up on that run last time out however when finishing a 1 /2 length 5th at Goodwood last time out in a class 2 affair and now looks exposed for the step up into Group company.

On the whole, progeny of Lawman are also known to underperform based on expected wins over the Newmarket straight course.

Despite only saddling 3 winners in 30 runners upon the Newmarket July Course, Henry Spiller is actually +£2.50 to a £1 level stake showing he's impartial to a big priced winner at the track.

The trainer will be hoping that'll be the case with Victoria Grove whom finished 4th on debut in a class 4 over C&D going off as an unfancied 40/1 shot for the affair.

She ran green however stayed on well in the latter stages of the race showing plenty scope for improvement second time out.

Having said this, the step up to group company looks to have come far too soon and it would be fairly miraculous to see her being up to this level.

Karl Burke boasts a respectable 16% strike rate with 2-year-olds on turf this season and his runner Almohandesah was yet another addition to that figure when stepping up on her debut 2nd placed finish to land a novice next time out, a head in front of re-opposing rival Shouldavbeenmore.

She was subsequently entered into listed company last time out however was unable to land a blow, finishing 5th, 4 lengths behind re-opposing race favourites Sunstrike and Wild Beauty in 3rd and 2nd.

On the basis of that form, the daughter of Postponed appears to have plenty to find in oder to reverse that form.