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Heredia enhanced her excellent record over a mile with a victory in the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes at Sandown Park on Saturday.

Heredia enhanced her excellent record over a mile with a victory in the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes at Sandown Park on Saturday.

Winner of last year's Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot, Heredia took the Listed Coral Distaff over course and distance in July 2022. Campaigned over shorter trips earlier in the year, the daughter of Dark Angel returned to winning ways with a three-and-three-quarter length victory in the mile Listed Dick Hern Stakes at Haydock last time. 

The two early pacesetters Roman Mist and Queen For You appeared to have the race under control at the two furlong marker, but they had not accounted for Heredia's closing speed. Ridden patiently by jockey Sean Levey in the early stages, Heredia came with a bid down the outside of the field with one and a half furlongs to run. As Heredia hit the front, Queen For You was galvanised into a duel for the win before the Richard Hannon-trained filly proved too good, pulling away for a three-quarter length success. 

In a post race interview with Racing TV, trainer Richard Hannon said: "She was drawn ten of ten today, that makes things a lot more difficult and I don't think they went overly quick, I haven't seen the time yet, he [Sean Levey] had to come a bit wide. 

"After her last run, I thought she ran very well, she's clearly in the form of her life, she's never been moving better. She gets a little bit of a madam before the gate.

"We were talking earlier on today about some of the big races, in America maybe. She's probably fully justified to take on one or two of those opportunities after this."

Paddy Power have introduced Heredia to the Breeders' Cup Mile market at 20/1.