tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, every chance over 1f out, pressed leader inside final furlong, no extra
towards rear, effort and headway to chase leaders over 2f out, soon one pace
in touch, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, driven 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, switched right approaching 1f out, ran on strongly to lead last strides
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, ran on
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded close home
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, challenged and headed last strides
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden 3f out, stayed on moderately
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up rear on inside, effort and headway when short of room 3f out, switched right, not recover
It is very difficult to get a handle on the form of this race as you have the variables of fillies, all-weather and Turf form and the fact that it is hard to fully assess how much development many of these have made from two to three years of age. Throw all that into the mix and we tentatively come up with Barabella ahead of Miskina, Desert Daisy, Gabana, Mystical Girl and Hana Dee. Johnny Murtagh is an interesting jockey booking for the Ron Hodges-trained selection, who showed promise in three of her four juvenile starts last season. As such, she begins the season on a reasonable mark and could go well. As ever with these race, the market should be watched with interest but others that might be worth considering are Miskina, who is lightly raced but has shown ability and is with a stable that is noted for bringing about improvement in its inmates; Rabitatit won twice last summer but at least has now been given a chance by the handicapper; Desert Daisy, who looked good in her first two runs last season but then failed to progress; Archerfield, who has shown improvement on the all-weather; Gabana, who will be fit after a pipe-opener and showed improved form on her final start last season; and the Mark Johnston and Mick Channon, runners, Mystical Girl and Hana Dee, respectively. As we say, watch the betting, but, all things tentatively considered, we'll opt for Barabella.
