tracked leader until over 2f out, weakened final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
led early, tracked leaders, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, led on bit inside final furlong, quickened clear under a hand ride, eased close home
in touch, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace
in rear, headway on outer 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon outpaced by winner
Maleficent Queen took a hike in the weights after landing last year’s renewal and hasn’t won since. She has NEZWAH to beat in this as the latter won a Listed race on the all-weather last summer with More Mischief three lengths behind in second and was beaten only two lengths in a Grade 1 race at Woodbine when last in action in October. Roger Varian’s filly should have the measure of these on her return. Elm Grove and Sophie P are recent handicap winners but have plenty to find on these terms and Pure Art looks a bigger threat on last year’s placed effort in Listed company at Newmarket.
Elm Grove (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Towards rear, progress on outer approaching straight, headway to lead 2f out, ridden to assert and 3 lengths clear 1f out, stayed on well, easily, won at Clonmel 1m 2f hcp gf in May beating Beechmount Whisper (10-0) by 7l, 8 ran.
Maleficent Queen 10-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, held up in 5th on inside, ridden inside final 2f, plugged on into modest 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 5 1/2l behind Sweet Selection (8-13) at Ascot 2m Grp 3 stks (1) gf in May.
Nezwaah 15-2 (8-7) Step slw,sharp to rail, 7th of 12, 1 3/4l behind Al's Gal (8-12) at Woodbine 1m 2f stks gd in Oct.
Pure Art 25-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 9, 4 3/4l behind Laganore (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f lst fll stks (1) gf in Oct.
Sophie P 9-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, held on gamely, all out, won at Ayr 1m hcp (3) gf in May beating Nicholas T (8-8) by shd, 7 ran.
More Mischief 10-1 (9-9) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd halfway, driven in 4th over 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 7th of 10, 17 3/4l behind Almela (9-9) at Galway 1m 4f lst fll stks (1) sft in Sep.