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Ascot the aim for Roger Varian’s charge

Pilaster will bid to get back on the winning trail in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot next month.

Following dominant victories in novice company at Chelmsford and Kempton respectively, Roger Varian’s charge completed her hat-trick with a narrow verdict in the Group Two Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood.

The daughter of Nathaniel was a hot favourite to add to her tally in the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster, but had to make do with a close-up third behind Luca Cumani’s God Given and Horseplay from Andrew Balding’s yard.

Varian said: “You would say she was an unlucky loser at Doncaster, but take nothing away from the winner or the second.

“To me she looked the best filly in the race at the weights. We got caught racing off a slow gallop in a race that turned into a sprint. She is a very nice filly, though, and still ran very well.

“She will head to Ascot now for the fillies’ and mares’ race on Champions Day (October 20).”

He added: “She probably should have won at Doncaster and didn’t, but she is a good filly to look forward to at the end of this year and next, hopefully.”