CACHET (106) may have stolen the headlines with her all-the-way win in the Group 1 Qipco 1000 Guineas but it was the older fillies, and mares, who dazzled on the clock in the Dahlia Stakes with the first five home all dipping under 35 secsonds for the final three furlongs.

Dreamloper (111) posted 34.39secs for her sectional as she nosed out Ville De Grace (111), who herself stopped the clock at 34.44secs for the same ground.

The fast-finishing Ebaiyra’s 34.10secs ensured she was marginally faster than the first two home as she made her challenge from furthest back in the small field.

The visual impression was that Ebaiyra (110+) should have won and a literal reading of the closing sectionals would support that view.

However, the Aga Khan-owned mare had race fitness on her side, so time may show the result to be correct if Dreamloper and Ville De Grace step forward for their seasonal debut.

Productive Climate

Climate (107) stopped the clock at 34.57secs in narrowing the gap on Ville De Grace when they met at the end of last season, Jessica Harrington’s mare looks set for a productive season albeit conducted at a slightly lower level.

Lilac Run (106) faded towards the line as if the run would not be lost on her and the daughter of Mastercraftsman still clocked a very respectable 34.69secs for her sectional.

To contextualise the efforts of the older fillies and mares, Cachet clocked 37.59secs from the three-furlong marker and Prosperous Voyage (106), who posted 37.46secs, was the fastest of the Guineas field.

Moonlight overpriced

Staying with the three-year-old fillies and looking ahead to the Oaks at Epsom, With The Moonlight (110+) recorded the faster overall race time of the day when adjusted for distance in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes.

William Buick only had to nudge the daughter of Frankel out to the line to compliment her time figure with a closing sectional of 36.60secs.

The manner of the victory left the impression an extra two furlongs at Epsom may also elicit further improvement and the data from Sunday should see her ahead of Tuesday (103+) in the market, yet she is twice the price at 8\1.

I was also taken with the performance of Cemhaan (102) who, despite racing keenly was very strong at the finish of the heritage handicap over a mile an six furlongs posting a closing sectional of 34.91secs. Admittedly the five-year-old did have race fitness on his side but he still looks to be on the upgrade.

Revolver (100) on the other hand was reappearing after an absence of 597 days yet still retains his ability judged on his closing sectional of 34.95secs.

To conclude the day, it is necessary to go back to the start and highlight the closing sectional posted by Miami Girl (84+) who stopped the clock at 33.70secs. The speed of the finish is slightly tempered by the slow overall race time although, with any amount improvement in the offing, Richard Hannon’s filly must be on next month’s Royal Ascot juvenile shortlist.