tracked leading pair, pushed along 3f out, not much room, squeezed through to dispute 2nd just inside final 2f, kept on under pressure but not pace to trouble winner
held up in rear, eased out and headway on outside 2f out, quickened to lead approaching final furlong, in command and edged right, ridden out
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, outpaced by winner but kept on to hold 2nd
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong
raced in 4th, ridden to dispute 2nd just inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
Few would begrudge Barshiba victory here after her narrow defeat to Archipenko but we'll be taking a chance with Baharah with Festivale also entertained. The Classic Generation have won all six runnings of this race but this year's two representatives face a tough task to maintain their supremacy. Shaker only has a maiden win to her name but she may have finished closer to Festivale with a clear run and more positive tactics last time and is no forlorn hope. She has something to find with the winner on that running though and the Invincible Spirit filly looks capable of making further progress and confirming her superiority. Barshiba is the highest rated horse in the race and will be a strong fancy for many following her superb performance in the Group 2 Summer Mile. She hasn't had many opportunities at this grade and she should be hard to beat if running up to the same level this afternoon. It may be worth taking her on with Baharah however as Gerard Butler's filly showed a taking turn of foot to win a handicap here in May. She was far from disgraced at Epsom on her penultimate start in a Group 3 and her latest run was just too bad to be true. She has leading claims on her best form, connections retain their faith in her and we should do the same and back Baharah to better Barshiba.
Kasumi 25-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 17l behind Nahoodh (8-10) at Newmarket 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) gs.
Baharah (USA) 7-1 (8-12) Raced keenly, mid-division, hamapered and lost place over 2f out, eased over 1f out, tailed off, last of 13, 30l behind Sabana Perdida (8-12) at Ascot 1m fll stk Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Barshiba (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) Chased leader, slightly outpaced over 1f out, stayed on again final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Archipenko (9-6) at Ascot 1m Grp 2 (1) gs.
Candy Mountain 5-2fav (8-5) Raced keenly, prominent, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 7l behind Ronaldsay (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 2f fll hcp (2) gs in Jun.
Shaker (IRE) 18-1 (9-1) Settled rear, headway and not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right and switched right again over 1f out, well wide, kept on, not reach leaders, 4th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Festivale (9-1) at Ascot 1m 3yo lst fll (1) gf in Jun.
Festivale (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Behind, headway 2f out, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, pressed leader inside final furlong, led final strides, won at Ascot 1m 3yo lst fll (1) gf in Jun beating Illusion (8-7) by a nk, 16 ran.
