quickly away, soon crossed over to lead, headed 3f out, weakening when hampered on rail 2f out
held up towards rear, pushed along 5f out, struggling and no chance when hampered on wide outside over 2f out,
held up in touch, stumbled and lost place over 6f out, soon pushed along, struggling towards rear and no chance when hampered on outside over 2f out, tailed off
held up last, hampered over 6f out, pushed along 5f out, last and struggling over 3f out, tailed off
held up towards rear, switched sharply left to outside over 2f out, sustained run from over 1f out, went 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner
in touch on inside, headway and close up when switched sharply right 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, steady headway 3f out, hampered 2f out, edged right but stayed on from over 1f out took 3rd final 100 yards, never any chance with winner
raced wide, tracked leading trio, under pressure and driven 4f out, weakened and no chance when hampered over 2f out
held up in about 6th on inside, switched left over 3f out, steady headway on outside 3f out, challenged 2f out, led well over 1f out, stayed on strongly and well in command final furlong
tracked leader, led 3f out until 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 2f out, led 2f out, headed well over 1f out, no impression on winner when weakened and lost 2 places final 100 yards
In a wide-open renewal of the Ribblesdale MIDDLE CLUB gets the vote; the likes of Acquainted and Pipette appeal as each-way value against some of the market principles. Richard Hannon's filly has been globe-trotting of late having taken second in the Italian Oaks last time following a similar display at Saint-Cloud, both times shaping as though in need of the extra furlong she gets to race over here. Prior to that she'd beaten Myplacelater, herself a fair benchmark, shaping as there'd be more to come as the season progresses and we're hopeful Richard Hughes can guide her to success. Principal Role won Newbury's Oaks trial with an impressive turn of foot to cut down Fatanah and we expect the form to be confirmed, as the latter had an easy time in front and therefore no excuse. Henry Cecil is a maestro with middle distance fillies and Principal Role should have no problems with the extra yardage. However the fact she wasn't sent to the Oaks suggests she's some way down the pecking order and the form of that race in general may not be all that strong with the third horse proving disappointing. Gertrude Bell represents the English Oaks form and should go well if over those exertions, although she looks a little short of tactical pace and may just get caught flat footed at the business end; she looks no superstar but is a credit to connections as she appears the sort who will run well whatever the task. Hibaayeb bounced back to something like her best with a solid Group One third last time but that was over 1m2f and she's far from guaranteed to stay this far on breeding, so she's opposed despite having a juvenile Group One victory over a mile already in the bag. Connections of Acquainted feel their charge is a better horse than when just beaten by Gertrude Bell at Chester and that coupled with her facile maiden victory last time entitles her to respect at a price, whilst Pipette got within three lengths of the Oaks winner Snow Fairy at Goodwood and will run well if taking to the tongue-tie at the first time of asking; on that line of form she's better value than Gertrude Bell and isn't discounted, but we're inclined to take both on and do so with Middle Club.
Acquainted 1-5fav (8-7) Tracked leader, led 3f out, came clear final 2f, very easily, won at Haydock 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf in May beating Cat O' Nine Tails (8-6) by 6l, 8 ran.
Awe Inspiring (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 15, 18l behind Snow Fairy (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gd.
Bikini Babe (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, not much room over 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 15, 14l behind Snow Fairy (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gd.
Cabaret (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Always in rear, 13th of 15, 19l behind Snow Fairy (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gd.
Eldalil 9-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, shaken up to lead over 1f out, looked vulnerable inside final furlong, found extra when ridden, won at Newmarket 7f 3yo fll mdn (4) gf in Apr beating Dance East (9-0) by nk, 12 ran.
Fatanah (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Raced keenly, led, joined and stayed on gamely to hold slight advantage from 2f out, worn down last stride, 2nd of 7, shd behind Principal Role (8-12) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo lst fll (1) gf in May.
Gallic Star (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Lady's Purse (8-13) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) sft.
Gertrude Bell 16-1 (9-0) Close up, ridden to press leader over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 15, 7l behind Snow Fairy (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gd.
Hibaayeb 8-1 (8-13) 3rd of 9, 2l behind Sarafina (8-13) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
Middle Club (8-13) 2nd of 10, nk behind Dariole (8-13) at Saint-Cloud(FR) 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Principal Role (USA) 3-1 (8-12) Keen early, soon settled in 4th, tracked leader inside final 4f, challenged from 3f out, upsides from 2f out, driven and stayed on gamely to lead last stride, won at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo lst fll (1) gf in May beating Fatanah (8-12) by shd, 7 ran.
Pipette 10-3 (9-0) Tracked leader 3f, settled 4th on inside, headway and switched left over 2f out, chased leader soon after, driven over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Snow Fairy (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo lst fll (1) gd in May.
