Horse Racing

Beatrice Aurore Backed into Favoritism

Beatrice Aurore has been backed into favoritism for this afternoons Woodcote Stud Valiant Stakes to be run at Ascot.

Beatrice Aurore opened at odds of 4/1 but has since been backed into 11/4 at Bet365.

The four-year-old galloper will be looking to buck the recent historical trend and become just the third non three-year-old to win the event in the past 11 years.

Her form in group races this campaign has been solid highlighted by a strong second placing in the Group 1 Longines Lydia Tesio. Beatrice Aurore drops to listed company for this race and with William Buick on board is a deserved favorite.

Pimpernel has been a drifter with bookmakers. The filly started at 3/1 at Bet365 and is now out to 4/1. Pimpernel should be better off for its first-up run at Ascot last week and is likely to be the main challenger to Beatrice Aurore. Mickael Barzalona takes the ride with regular jockey Frankie Dettori riding at Newmarket today.

The in-form Thistle Bird is currently the third favorite paying 5/1 at Bet365. Thistle Bird showed great courage first-up last start to hold on and win the Listed Midsummer Stakes by half a length. The four-year-old is only lightly raced but has an impressive winning record and has won at this level before.

Strong money has come for the Ralph Beckett trained Moone’s My Name. Moone’s My Name opened at 11/1 and has since been backed into 7/1 at Bet365. The mare was successful at Newmarket at its last start a month ago, but this race is a significant jump in class.

Free Verse is another last start winner and was very impressive in the Piper- Heidsieck Fillies Handicap, winning by four and a half lengths. Free Verse has struggled at this level before and might not have the class to really mix it with Beatrice Aurore and Pimpernel.

Bet on the Woodcote Stud Valiant Stakes with Bet365.