Snow Lantern Tries to Emulate Dam in Sun Chariot

Snow Lantern  returns to Newmarket in an attempt to record a second group 1 success in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) and emulate her illustrious mother Sky Lantern .

The daughter of Frankel  provided Richard Hannon with the high point of his year when settling an old family score in a vintage running of the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (G1) over on the July course.

Her dam Sky Lantern controversially went down by a neck to Elusive Kate in the 2013 Falmouth, which connections were unsuccessful in appealing, but later that year she gained compensation in the Sun Chariot.

Snow Lantern, who has always been held in the highest regard by Hannon, is back racing against her own sex after defeats in the Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) and Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1).

"We took in the Moulin because she appeared to be in good form, but her scope wasn't right when she came back from France, so she's been on antibiotics," said Hannon. "All her figures are fine and she's in great form now and we're very happy with her. She's going to run a big race."

The trainer was assistant to his father Richard Hannon Sr. during the days of Sky Lantern but won the Sun Chariot in his own right two years ago with Billesdon Brook.

"This race has always been the main target for Snow Lantern since the Falmouth," he said. "After what her mother did in that race, the Falmouth was the highlight of my year so far. It meant a lot to everybody and the fact she's a homebred by Rockcliffe Stud was very important for them. 

"Sky Lantern won this race very well and it would be nice if this filly could do the same." 

Mother Earth Returns to Scene of Guineas Win

The admirably consistent Mother Earth  has been unfortunate not to have more to show for her efforts since winning the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1) over course and distance in May.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained filly gained another group 1 victory in the Prix Rothschild in August but has been unlucky on a few occasions this season, including last time in the Coolmore America Justify Matron (G1).

"She's a great filly who's very consistent," said O'Brien. "She relaxes, gets the mile very well, and usually finishes off her races very well.

"She seems to be in good form since her last run. It was a little bit of a mess. She likes to be ridden to take her time a little bit and she got stopped in her run."

Mother Earth, who now has the Breeders' Cup on her agenda following stablemate Santa Barbara 's fatal injury, renews rivalry with the second and third from the Guineas, Saffron Beach  and Fev Rover , respectively, while she has half a length to find with Snow Lantern on the form of the Falmouth.

O'Brien bids for a fourth win in the Sun Chariot and all of his previous winners—Halfway To Heaven (2008), Alice Springs (2016), and Roly Poly (2017)—were 3-year-olds.

Buick Steps in For Saffron Beach Ride

Jane Chapple-Hyam says William Buick is "not a bad substitute" as the title-chasing jockey partners her stable star Saffron Beach  for the first time.

It will be a fourth different rider in a row for the One Thousand Guineas runner-up, who bounced back to form in the Betway Atalanta Stakes (G3) at Sandown last time and bids to enhance impressive form figures of 1122 on the Rowley Mile.

"David Egan and Adam Kirby are at Ascot and Hollie (Doyle) is suspended, but William's not a bad substitute," said Chapple-Hyam. "She's straightforward and doesn't take much knowing.

"She was back down to a group 3 last time and it's going to be a bit harder back into group 1 company, but she's in good order. It's nice that she acts on the track and the ground is set to be like it was when she won the Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes (G3) there last year."