Santorini Star is set to return to form after a disappointing performance at Royal Ascot last month. The five-year-old mare, trained by William Haggas, was a 16-1 outsider in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes but finished last of 12 runners behind the winner, Giavellotto. Experts attribute the poor showing to a drop back in distance to a mile and a half and the removal of cheekpieces she wore in that race.

Santorini Star previously demonstrated strong form over longer distances. Last September, she secured victory in the Group 2 Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes at Doncaster, defeating Consent—who subsequently reversed the form by triumphing in the Group 1 Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp. The mare made a successful return this season with a win under jockey Tom Marquand in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket in May. She followed that with a narrow defeat, beaten by only a short neck by Caballo De Mar in the Group 1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier over two miles at Longchamp later that month.

Having been victorious on her previous start at Goodwood, Santorini Star is expected to perform better over a longer distance than the Ascot attempt. The mare will aim to capitalize on this advantage with a return to races around 1 mile 6 furlongs, which is considered her optimum trip.

In the same event last year, Waardah and Danielle finished first and second, respectively, and both are anticipated to be strong contenders again. Santorini Star’s connections remain optimistic that she can rebound from her recent setback and contend for top honors once more.