Cinderella's Dream Primed for Sun Chariot

It is 22 years since Godolphin won the final non-juvenile group 1 of the season on the Rowley Mile, but they look in prime position to break that run with Cinderella's Dream (GB), who has proven her effectiveness at both Newmarket Racecourse tracks. Trainer Charlie Appleby and William Buick are also bidding to add the 1-mile Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) to their respective CVs with the 4-year-old, who could have a return trip to the Breeders' Cup on her radar after this. The daughter of Shamardal was an impressive winner of the Dahlia Stakes (G2) on the Rowley Mile in May, when she powered clear to beat last year's One Thousand Guineas (G1) winner Elmalka (GB) by 4 1/2 lengths. After finishing runner-up in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot, Cinderella's Dream then gained a second group 1 success when denying January (IRE) in the Falmouth Stakes (G1) at Newmarket's July festival. She now drops back to a mile after finishing a respectable fourth in the Prix Jean Romanet (G1) in August over 1 1/4 miles. Appleby said: "Cinderella's Dream was impressive in the Dahlia Stakes at the Guineas meeting and returns to the Rowley Mile in great nick. She has enjoyed a nice little break since the Prix Jean Romanet and a repeat of her run in the spring will put her bang there." Unbeaten Varian ace a big danger It has been a patient build to get here, but Roger Varian gets an opportunity to put Lady of Spain (IRE) into group 1 company for the first time as she bids to extend her unbeaten record. The daughter of Phoenix of Spain (IRE) started from humble beginnings, taking a Wolverhampton novice in the final days of her juvenile year before further all-weather wins at the same track, Southwell, and then in listed company at Deauville. Four wins became five when she made her turf debut in some style at Sandown Park in August, and she now steps into a group 1 for the first time under Ray Dawson. Varian said: "She's in very good form at the minute and has trained well into the race. She'll have to step up again and it's a straight track and it's undulating which is something different for her. "She likes ease in the ground and it's anyone's guess what it will be like and what strength the wind will be. Looking at the weather, I expect it to be a tough test on the Rowley Mile and it's a group 1 in which she is taking on a couple who have done it before." Blue Bolt (IRE) was the filly Lady of Spain ran down in the closing stages at Sandown, and she renews rivalry for Andrew Balding. Colin Keane, who claimed the Sun Chariot 12 months ago on David Menuisier's Tamfana (GER), takes the ride again.