Beckett has high hopes for Cathedral

ATHEDRAL is an exciting entry in the Group Three William Hill Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield.

- TONY KELSHAW

Ralph Beckett has bigger targets set up for the three-year-old this term, with the Irish 1,000 Guineas, the Betfred Oaks and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot all on the radar.

An E800,000 breeze-ups buy 12 months ago, she opened up with a visually impressive success on the all weather at this venue before finishing a close second in the Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket.

Although edged out by 25-1 shot Merrily that day, Cathedral had some smart sorts behind her, including 1000 Guineas runner-up Flight and recent scorers Troia and First Instinct.

The daughter of Too Darn Hot looked the type to improve from two to three and is certainly bred to get better with age, being out of a half-sister to Arc heroine Bluestocking.

Aidan O’Brien’s Giselle is hard to get away from in the William Hill Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes.