Timepiece ready to strike

Timepiece looks to have a golden opportunity of registering her first success of the season on Wednesday.

That chance could come when she tackles the EBF At The Races John Musker Fillies' Stakes at Yarmouth.

The Sir Henry Cecil-trained five-year-old mare has not won since taking the Group One Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket in July 2011, but she has run with credit at the top level subsequently, including when a close fourth to Snow Fairy in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville last month.

"She started off the season slowly, but came back really nicely at Goodwood and ran a super race in Nassau," said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah.

"She then ran a really nice race in the Romanet at Deauville behind Snow Fairy and she wasn't beaten far.

"This does look like a nice opportunity with a view to stepping her back up to top-class company later on in the season, but there's no such thing as an easy Listed race."

Jason Ward is hoping Sweetnessandlight can acquit herself well following her fourth place behind Dank in the Group Three Atalanta Stakes at Sandown.

"We've had a cold week in the north and it's a funny time of year for fillies, but I couldn't be happier with her," said the Middleham trainer.

"If she can reproduce what she did at Sandown hopefully she'd have a shout.

"It's a big step up with Sir Henry's filly (Timepiece) in the race and others, but she seems fine.

"It's her first time at a mile and a quarter and if she is going to get the trip it will be there."

Clinical faces a monumental task of trying to give weight all round, including 8lb to Timepiece.

However, the Sir Mark Prescott-trained four-year-old filly is reported to be in fine shape and she will at least have her favoured fast ground.

"She's carrying plenty of weight, but she loves the ground. While we've got some decent ground we'll keep running her," said Chris Richardson, managing director of owners Cheveley Park Stud.

"She's in good form, so we'll see how we go."