Fallen Angel testing waters at 10 furlongs in Middleton

Fallen Angel tests the waters up at 10 furlongs on her return to York, bidding to land a blow on home Yorkshire soil for Karl Burke in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes.

The five-year-old’s only previous attempt at a mile and a quarter came when a close-up fourth in the 2024 Prix de l’Opera and she was at her imperious best at a mile last season, taking her Group One haul to five thanks to a thrilling hat-trick of big-race victories in the second half of the campaign.

Kept in training by owners Wathnan Racing for another season at the highest level, York is now a first port of call in a year where ground could see her mix and match her distances.

Richard Brown of the owners said: “It’s probably not the ideal starting point in terms of trip, but it’s down the road, the ground looks like being nice and it’s a case of getting her season started.

“She’s been a star for us, she’s a five-time Group One winner and it’s great that the powers that be have been sporting and kept a mare like her in training, it’s great.

“We’ll kick-off here and then figure it out as we don’t want to be running on rattling ground so we’ll have to work around the ground a bit. We also have a slight inkling she’s a better horse in the autumn, so we’ll take our time and feel things out over the year.

“I think the ground being important means we’ll be looking at all options between a mile and a mile and a quarter. She will have plenty of races open to her throughout the season.”

This race was won impressively by Andrew Balding’s See The Fire 12 months ago and she is back to defend her crown after a winning reappearance in the Nottinghamshire Oaks.

Meanwhile, owners Juddmonte were successful the year before that with subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking and the famous silks of the Abdullah family will this time be represented by Ger Lyons’ Irish raider Red Letter.

“Red Letter is in good form, she’s had her first run of the year and got tired, but she’ll have come on for that and this has sort of being the aim for her all season,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for the owners.

“It looks a very hot race, but I think the track and the ground will be fine for her, so we’re hopeful she can get into the money.”

Returning to British soil following a profitable time in the Middle East this winter is Simon and Ed Crisford’s Fairy Glen, who drops back significantly in trip looking for a hat-trick in 2026 having claimed the Dubai Gold Cup in late March.

Ed Crisford said: “This is her first run since the Gold Cup in Dubai. She improved massively over the winter.

“We want to run her to see how she gets on in Europe over this trip – but with a view that she could be stepping back up in trip in the future.

“York is a track we believe will suit her very well and it will be very interesting to see how she gets on in this company.”

The line-up is completed by Charlie Appleby’s Dancing Rain, who ran with real credit in North America in her final two appearances last year and is out to prove just as effective in top company back in the UK.

Charlie Appleby told www.godolphin.com: “Diamond Rain is having her first start since the Breeders’ Cup and her preparation has gone well.

“We are working back from possibly heading out to America again with her and she will come on for the run, but she looks in great order.”