British Raiders Head to Berlin in Hunt of Group 1 Glory
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Photo: Hugh Routledge
Alpinista wins the 2020 Upavon Fillies' Stakes at Salisbury Racecourse
Alpinista and Walton Street go in search of group 1 glory in the Longines 131st Grosser Preis von Berlin (G1) Aug. 8, with both their trainers believing their horses have good chances of capturing a maiden win at the highest level.
The two British runners compete in a field of eight for a contest won by the likes of Marienbard, Schiaparelli, Danedream, Protectionist, and Prescott's Albanova this century.
Alpinista is having her second attempt at a group 1 having finished second to Love in last year's Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) and her trainer Sir Mark Prescott feels the 4-year-old goes to the race with as good a chance as any.
"She's got a live chance," he said. "On ratings they are all within three pounds of each other and if you're trying to win a group 1 you're better taking on a lot of horses all with a chance of beating each rather than going up against one or two that you cannot beat on figures.
"We need to try and win a group 1 with her and in this one she's not got much to find."
Prescott and owner-breeder Kirsten Rausing will also be represented in the listed Hoppengartener Steher-Preis with Alerta Roja, who has climbed 18 pounds in the rating for her last three wins.
Nevertheless, Prescott detailed a rather more practical reason for her travel, and said: "Ms. Rausing owns both horses and we usually travel Alpinista with company, usually our hack. However, as there was a race for Alerta Roja it made sense for her to travel instead.
"On the ratings she's got no chance but she goes there in good form and it's the right time to try her in a race to try for some black type."
Walton Street wins the Dubai City of Gold Stakes at Meydan Racecourse
Godolphin's Walton Street competes for the first time since finishing fourth to Mishriff in the Dubai Sheema Classic Presented by Longines (G1) in March. His trainer Charlie Appleby said: "Walton Street has enjoyed a nice break since a highly progressive time out in Dubai.
"It was always in our minds to go straight for this race and he heads to Germany fresh and well. We couldn't be any happier with him and, if can reproduce his winter form, he is going to be very competitive."