Footsteps filly on G1 trail after runaway G3 success

Trainer Sir Henry Cecil is eyeing Group 1 targets with Chachamaidee (5m Footstepsinthesand-Canterbury Lace, by Danehill) after the mare showed a lightning turn of foot to win the G3 Chartwell Stakes at Lingfield on Saturday.

The daughter of Footstepsinthesand finished second in the G1 Sun Chariot Stakes last season and looked better than ever as she swooped from virtually last to first in the final furlong of the seven-furlong Lingfield contest.

“She’s in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes and the G2 Windsor Forest Stakes (at Royal Ascot), but I'd rather see her take on her own sex,” Cecil told PA Sport. “She actually hesitated and had too much to do, but the way she quickened tells me she there could be some nice races for her.

“Some of the press asked me why I was running her on the all-weather, but with a filly like this it's nice to get a run into her. She gets a mile and we'll feel our way. I hope we can win a Group 1 with her.”

A 135,000gns yearling purchase from Tattersalls, Chachamaidee was bred by Cheval Court Stud.