held up in touch and keen, headway to challenge over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, kept on headed close home
headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leader, challenged over 2f out, soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, rallied inside final furlong, led close home
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
effort over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out
Bint Sultan can land the opener at the expense of Sforzando and Starcross Maid. The selection caught the eye when seen on her reappearance at Ripon when narrowly beaten by Hezaam. She is entitled to come on for that effort and if doing so can take all the beating. Sforzando will pose as the biggest danger and has been knocking at the door of late without getting her head in front. She finished three lengths third to Pine Cone at Newbury last time out and can go well again. As can Starcross Maid who has to be respected on her win at Southwell and her second at Yarmouth on her penultimate start so any market moves should be noted. But for the winner we return to Bint Sultan.
Lysandra (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 7l behind Riley Boys (8-12) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Sforzando 11-2 (8-0) Held up in 7th, headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach front pair, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Pine Cone (9-7) at Newbury 1m 2f fll hcp (4) gf.
The Pen 12-1 (8-6) Towards rear, in touch by halfway, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 6th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Fairlie (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in Sept.
Starcross Maid 10-3 (9-0) Mid-division, headway to chase winner well over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 29l behind Hezaam (9-2) at Ripon 1m 4f sll hcp (6) gf.
Bint Il Sultan (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Dwelt and behind, driven and headway when not much room 2f out, stayed on chased winner well over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Hezaam (9-2) at Ripon 1m 4f sll hcp (6) gf.
Ivana Illyich (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) Led to over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 16, 18l behind Magari (8-10) at Redcar 1m 2f sll (6) gd in Sept.
Authenticate 9-2jt-fav (8-11) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, edged left 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 3l behind Midnight Lace (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) pol in Nov.