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FRENCH FANCY

Royal Ascot 2017 – Queen Anne Stakes on the agenda for Qemah following the Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield on Saturday

The classy four-year-old won two Group 1 contests last season including the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and she is set to head back to Ascot for the Queen Anne this year

Qemah

FRENCH filly Qemah is the star attraction in Saturday's Betfred 'Supports Jack Berry House' Chartwell Fillies' Stakes at Lingfield.

Jean-Claude Rouget's filly recorded two Group 1 wins last year including victory in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Connections are hoping she can make a successful return to action in the Group 3 event before going onto bigger and better things this season.

Harry Herbert, racing manager for the owners Al Shaqab Racing, said: "I think her run in Ireland when she could only manage third is best forgotten.

 Qemah is the 4-6 favourite for the Chartwell Fillies' Stakes
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Qemah is the 4-6 favourite for the Chartwell Fillies' StakesCredit: PA

"She'd had a busy year, her coat was on the turn and she looked a little bit 'shelly'.

"She's done well over the winter and we expect her to have another good year.

"She's a really good filly, very classy and with an excellent turn of foot, like we saw in the Coronation Stakes at Ascot.

"Because we know she likes it there, we're thinking of the Queen Anne next month."

 

Qemah is set to face 10 rivals over seven furlongs in Surrey.

Mix And Mingle made a winning start to the new campaign at Newmarket's Craven meeting and the form has been boosted since with the runner-up, Tabarrak, winning a Listed prize at Ascot.

 Mix And Mingle will be ridden by top jock Ryan Moore
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Mix And Mingle will be ridden by top jock Ryan MooreCredit: PA

Trainer Chris Wall has booked Ryan Moore to partner his star filly for this weekend's big-race assignment.

He said: "Racing off level weights with the French filly (Qemah) makes it a pretty tough call, but we'll see what we can do.

"I'm a bit disappointed the ground has gone good to soft in places. Good to firm would have suited us just fine.

 Realtra was a rejuvenated character at Lingfield
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Realtra was a rejuvenated character at LingfieldCredit: Getty Images

"That's not to say she can't operate on slower ground, but fast ground is a big advantage to her.

"She goes there in good form and we're hoping for a good run from her."

Roger Varian's Realtra returns to the turf after winning the All-Weather Fillies' And Mares' Championships Conditions Stakes on Good Friday.

"The blinkers brought about a revival in form from Realtra on All-Weather Finals Day and this has been the plan since," the trainer told his website, www.varianstable.com.

"She is already a Group 3 winner and seems in fine form, although Qemah is a very talented filly who will likely be difficult to beat."

The Kevin Ryan-trained Ashadihan was beaten just half a length into third by Realtra last month and is fitted with blinkers for the rematch.

Qemah is joined on the ferry from France by Narnia Dawn and Rien Que Pour Toi.

Blue Bayou, Pirouette, Robanne, Summer Icon and Eartha Kitt make up the field.

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