Laugh Aloud reigns supreme in Princess Elizabeth Stakes

Laugh Aloud continued her upward curve with a very impressive win in the G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes over an extended mile at Epsom Downs, UK, on Derby Day, Saturday, June 3. 

The John Gosden-trained four-year-old, a Listed winner under a penalty at Goodwood on May 6, disputed the early running before settling in third after the first quarter-mile for James Doyle. 

The Dubawi filly was angled out in the straight and quickened powerfully to take up the running on the outside with a furlong and a half to race. 

Laugh Aloud went away from her nine rivals and was eased on the line to score by five lengths in 1m 41.54s on ground described as good, good to firm in places. 

John Gosden said: “She is a lovely filly and improving with age.

“She normally likes to bowl along in front but I said to James that there were a couple of others who liked to go on.

“He said if they go, we will sit in. Laugh Aloud picked them up and won in great style. The track at Epsom is always a concern when a horse has never raced here – going downhill at that pace – but she quickened well.

“She won well the other day and this was a good performance and, all being well, she will go to the G2 Duke Of Cambridge at Royal Ascot.

“We’ve just won a G3, if we go and win a G2, then we would consider a G1. She’s going the right way and is more settled in her mind this year.”

James Doyle added: “That was quite something wasn’t it?” 

“It was an explosive performance. It is nice that she is versatile now.

“She was one that liked to get out on the front end and enjoy herself before but there were a couple in the race today that I thought would be hassling her all the way.

“John and I spoke about it beforehand and decided, if one wants to go, we would take a lead and get her to switch off, which is exactly what she did. She’s a filly that as appreciated being in front in her previous runs – I just think it’s helped her relax and settle down.

“She was impressive – when I let her go, she travelled into the race so well and scampered up the hill. It felt good. The only moment’s worry I had was to get a bit of space so, when they started to roll down the hill, I just eased her to the outside. I think she would have won even if I’d have found trouble though!

“I think she could make an impact at an even higher level. She deserves a crack at a G1 race now. She has won a couple of Listed races and now a G3, so she is going in the right direction. 

“That was a pretty authoritative performance, so she definitely deserves a crack at it. Talking to John after the race, the Duke Of Cambridge (G2, 1m, June 21, Royal Ascot) could be the race for her and we’ll see what happens after that.”