Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes Guide 2022

Andy Smith | @AndySmithRacing

Ascot - June 15 2022
Ascot 14:40
1(3)
Ryan Moore

History

J: Ryan Moore
T: A P O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 104
Days: 25

Representing Aidan O’Brien is recent group 3 winner History. She didn’t amount to much as a 2 year old. Being beaten in her first two outings, running well enough but coming 2nd.

Stepped up to a mile on her last outing of the season she broke her maiden before being put away for the winter.

Her comeback saw her score nicely over a mile in group 3 company to beat Agartha. Showing the superior stamina to lead late on. Thrown into group one company off the back of that saw her contest the Irish 1000 Guineas but she was outpaced against better horses.

Going up in trip looks like a positive and she could easily improve again to make a mark.

Ascot - June 15 2022
Ascot 14:40
5(2)
Ben Curtis

Mystic Wells

J: Ben Curtis
T: George Boughey
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 93
Days: 40

At the foot of the betting is Mystic Wells for George Boughey. Her two year old campaign saw her win handily over 7 furlongs on debut before failing to shoulder a penalty over a mile in novice company.

She wasn’t disgraced in listed company on her last outing of the season, coming a respectable 8th.
She’s returned as a 3 year old in fine form.

A slightly below par run in a low level handicap over 10 furlongs teed her up for a good win at Brighton on rattling fast ground.

Shifted to listed level after that, running in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield. She shaped well enough over the longer trip and just got collared late on.

This is a major step up for her and she just might be lacking the cutting edge to make a mark.

Ascot - June 15 2022
Ascot 14:40
3(6)
Shane Foley

Magical Lagoon

J: Shane Foley
T: Mrs John Harrington
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 107
Days: 54

Making the trip over from Ireland for Jessica Harrington, Magical Lagoon had three outings as a juvenile last season and captured group success.

Despite being a beaten favourite on her debut run in maiden company over a mile, she built upon the experience of having a run to score a group 3 race for fillies smartly at the Curragh.

Thrown in at the deep end off the back of that for the Fillies’ Mile, she struggled in group 1 company and couldn’t get near the principles.

Making her return as a 3 year old in listed company she was a narrow 2nd over 10 furlongs to Concert Hall. The pair pulled clear with only a short head separated them at the finish.

She shaped much better over 10 furlongs but this is a move up in grade and she has to prove her quality.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
07/11/23FLE16Gd8-022
25/10/23GEE12Gd8-106
07/10/23RSH9.5Gd9-011
23/09/23RSH7.5Gd8-119
25/03/23RSH10Gd8-116
Ascot - June 15 2022
Ascot 14:40
6(4)
Tom Marquand

Sea Silk Road

J: Tom Marquand
T: William Haggas
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 103
Days: 27

Only seen once as a 2 year old for William Haggas last season, Sea Silk Road was sent off a big price and ran accordingly over a mile to be a well beaten 6th of 10 at Kempton.

Maturing over the winter she returned to the track over 8.5 furlongs at Nottingham to stride clear of the field easily. Hitting the front over a furlong out and powering away to the line in impressive fashion to break her maiden.

Upped in class and trip off the back of that, the daughter of Sea The Stars coped with soft ground at Goodwood to score a listed race over 10 furlongs. Staying on well late again to run down Eternal Pearl near the line.

A stiff course should help her even more if she handles the step up in grade.

Ascot - June 15 2022
Ascot 14:40
4(1)
Jim Crowley

Mukaddamah

J: Jim Crowley
T: Roger Varian
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 100
Days: 33

A debut winner on the all weather for Roger Varian back in January, Mukaddamah arrived with a decent reputation and was sent off an 8/13 favourite for her maiden win.

Scoring over a mile she moved up in grade to run in a conditions race over a mile at Ascot. She looked a little outpaced but ran on well to be 2nd.

Moved up to listed level off the back of that she ran well over 10 furlongs to be 3rd behind Nashwa. Again though she looked outpaced and ran on.

She’s shaping like going further will draw out improvement but she makes another big step up in grade and has something to prove.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
13/10/23NMK10Sft9-510
20/09/23YAR10Gd9-42
12/08/23HAY8GS9-47
28/07/23YOR10.5GS9-62
21/06/23ASC8Gd9-1016
Ascot - June 15 2022
Ascot 14:40
2(5)
William Buick

Life Of Dreams

J: William Buick
T: Charlie Appleby
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 100
Days: 36

A twice raced Dubawi filly for Charlie Appleby, Life Of Dreams only made her debut in racing this season but did so in fine fashion.

Coming out at Newbury over 10 furlongs she was a red hot favourite and justified support to score handily against a large field. Swooping through the field to take up the running and hitting the line still full of steam.

Upped in grade off the back of that saw her contest the Musidora Stakes at York, she ran a fine race to be 2nd to the eventual runner up in the Oaks Emily Upjohn.

Unable to live with that raw ability she was still a clearcut 2nd and is well worth her place here.