Hollie Doyle has four chances to cap record-breaking season with first Group One winner on Saturday
Hollie Doyle, who broke her own record for most wins in a calendar year for a female jockey in Britain at Kempton on Wednesday when she rode her 117th winner since January 1, has five chances to cap her season with a winner during Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday.
Still looking for what would be her first Group One, she has four opportunities to achieve that aim; Trueshan in the Long Distance Cup, Glenshiel in the sprint, Dame Maillot in the Fillies and Mares and Extra Elusive in the Champion Stakes.
They are for five different trainers and all have good each-way chances. Her ride in the Balmoral Handicap is Solid Stone.
High points in her summer including her Windsor five-timer, a first Royal Ascot winner and being signed up as retained jockey for Imar Al Sagar. Despite looking like the proverbial pea on a drum she has struck up a great relationship with the owner’s Extra Elusive, winning two Group threes.
“He was one of the first rides for my new retainer,” she said. “He’s one of my favourites. It’s a bit of a step up for him. We changed tactics last time, he ran OK last time at Newbury off the back of hard races he had at Windsor and Haydock. He's had a nice break now - and Mr Charlton seems really happy with him and he’s one that thrives on soft.”
She added: “I love this Dame Maillot - she's always been an eyecatcher. I won the Aphrodite Stakes last year on her and I thought she was going to go on to do bigger and better things, and that's what she's done. I think she'll absolutely love Ascot, she's got form on soft ground - so it would be amazing if she could get her head in front.”
Archie Watson's Glen Shiel was runner-up to the favourite Dream Of Dreams in the Sprint Cup at Haydock on his last start.
"Usually he's a grinder and can hit a bit of a flat spot, but he travelled the best he's ever travelled at Haydock,” said Doyle.
"He thrives on soft ground, so we'd love to think he could reverse the form. But that's not completely in his hands, because you've got One Master in there - who was impressive at Longchamp at the weekend - and Art Power."
