Cloud Cover will be looking to stamp her class on the opposition as she goes for back-to-back victories in the seven-furlong BetMGM Fillies' And Mares' Championships Handicap (2.25pm).
Successful last year off a mark of 89, James Tate’s mare is a stone higher this time following a Listed success in France and a smooth display at Newcastle’s AWC Trials Day.
Cloud Cover concedes upwards of 20lb to all bar one of her 13 rivals, with the exception being the 92-rated Aramis Grey (Jack Jones), who is an eight-time winner on the all-weather.
The Ed Bethell-trained Quandary captured the other trial for this race at Lingfield Park, where she had Callianassa (Brian Ellison), Aramis Grey, Viennoise (David O’Meara) and Brazilian Rose (Rebecca Menzies) in arrears.
Michael Herrington’s Powdering defeated Quandary at Southwell in February and has since scored again at the Nottinghamshire track, while Gaiety Musical is seeking her fifth win of 2025 for David Evans.
Shallow moves up to seven furlongs for the first time, with Richard Spencer’s filly having won two of her last three starts at Kempton Park.
Pasha makes her first appearance for James Owen since leaving Paul & Oliver Cole. Delicacy (Roger Fell), Biplane (John Wainwright), Too Much (David Thompson) and Heavenly Weather (Tracy Waggott) all race from significantly out of the handicap.
The view from connections
James Tate, trainer of Cloud Cover, said: “Cloud Cover did a good piece of work last Friday and it is all systems go to try and defend her title. She has had wind surgery since her last run, but she has come out of it in great form. She is a stone higher in the ratings this time but, in fairness to her, she does look a stone better.”
Michael Herrington, trainer of Powdering, said: “She has had a great winter, winning at Southwell a couple of times. She bumped into a nice filly of George Boughey’s at Wolverhampton last time and came out of it in great form. James Tate’s mare looks a strong contender, but we should have a decent each-way chance.”
Ed Bethell, trainer of Quandary, said: “Quandary is fine. She had the option of Lingfield as well but we decided to take our chance here. She works as well as a 78-rated filly at home, but she is just not very easy to win with. I don’t think the handicap mark will be the thing that stops her.”
Richard Spencer, trainer of Shallow, said: “She was not stopping over six furlongs on her last three starts at Kempton. The unknown is going up to seven furlongs but, given the money on offer, we are happy to have a crack. She is progressive and we think she is in good shape.”
Jack Jones, trainer Of Aramis Grey, said: “She has run consistently for me this winter without winning. She tips away and seems in good order. I think she should run another good race, although whether she is handicapped to win is slightly different.”
