Marsh Hawk can swoop to success in Fillies’ Mile

Marsh Hawk has form in the book which suggests she is decent value to lower the colours of favourite Lucida in today’s Dubai Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket (3.25).

The Richard Hannon trained filly created a huge impression on debut when making all to slam Fadhayyil in a 7f contest on soft ground at Newbury.

The runner-up is held in high regard and has since gone on to finish an excellent length runner-up to Lucida in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes.

If taking that form at face value Marsh Hawk has the beating of Lucida, and the daughter of Invincible Spirit lost little in defeat when fast tracked into Group 3 company at Salisbury and going down by just a short-head to New Providence when showing distinct signs of inexperience.

Marsh Hawk has since been given a confidence boosting success in a conditions’ contest at Newbury where she made all to win easing down by 3 1/2 lengths on good-to-soft ground, and her proven ability to handle soft going is going to be a major plus.

With the prospect of more improvement firmly on the cards, and Richard Hughes in the saddle, everything looks in place for a huge run.

The obvious danger is the Jim Bolger trained Lucida who prior to beating Fadhayyil in the Rockfel and finished an excellent neck runner-up to Cursary Glance in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh.

The form of that race looks particularly strong as Lucida finished 1/2 a length in front of the third home Found who has since come out a bolted up in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day at Longchamp and heads the betting for next year’s Oaks.

Lucida is the one to beat judged on that run, but it came on quick ground and it remains to be seen if the daughter of Sharmadal will be as effective on today’s soft ground at headquarters.

Another big player if handling the conditions is fellow irish raider Agnes Stewart.

The Edward Lynam trained daughter has won two of her three starts, and was most impressive in the last of those when travelling strongly before showing a smart turn of foot to beat Muragqaaba by 1 1/4 lengths in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster last month.