held up, ridden on outside 3f out, hung left and weakened soon after
close up, under pressure 4f out, soon lost touch, tailed off
in touch, pushed along 4f out, weakened 3f out
close up, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
led to halfway, remained prominent until hung right and weakened over 2f out
tracked leader after 2f, led halfway, headed over 3f out, weakened inside final 2f
in touch, headway to chase leaders 3f out, driven 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
slowly away, pulled hard, in rear, lost touch final 3f
held up, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leader for 2f, stayed in 3rd, pushed along 4f out, led on outside over 3f out until inside final 2f, rallied under pressure to regain lead well inside final furlong
held up, headway on inside 3f out, led inside final 2f, ridden and headed well inside final furlong
This is a tricky race for punters to fathom and Sparkling Montjeu, Oronsay and Ask Nicely are sure to have their supporters and we will side with SPARKLING MONTJEU as the pick. George Baker's 3-year-old filly did not get home over 1m6f last time but she had previously gone close at Yarmouth and she is fully-effective over today's distance. She will go on the ground and she sets the standard for the others. Oronsay was doing her best work at the finish at Leicester last time so she looks worth a try over this trip. This is a tougher race though and her best form so far has been on soft ground. Ask Nicely is a quirky type and she spoilt her chance by pulling too hard last time out. Sylvester Kirk's Havanich does not really see out this trip and for that reason he is easy to overlook. All of which returns us to Sparkling Montjeu as the selection.
Havanavich 5-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge approaching 2f out, weakened tamely over 1f out, 4th of 13, 14l behind Catholic Hill (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f stk 0-55 (6) pol.
Ericarrow (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, hard driven over 4f out, soon beaten, 12th of 13, 25l behind Hadron Collider (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jul.
Hoar Frost 10-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Highland Homestead (8-11) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) gs.
Balais Folly (FR) 16-1 (8-6) Mid-division, headway halfway, effort well over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Dazzling Begum (8-6) at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) sft.
Dickie Valentine 20-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, reminders halfway, driven along 2f out, soon lost place, 8th of 13, 13l behind Jelly Mo (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol in Sept.
Ask Nicely 5-2 (8-5) Held up behind leaders, driven over 2f, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Miss Cruisecontrol (8-5) at Catterick 1m 6f 3yo sll (6) gs in Sept.
Fleurs de Censier 20-1 (8-4) Held up in rear, headway well over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Eventide (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 6f 3yo app hcp (6) pol.
Marikova 66-1 (8-2) Slowly away, reminders after start, always in rear, last of 16, 39l behind Highland Homestead (8-11) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) gs.
Oronsay 20-1 (8-6) Steadied start, behind, headway well over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Dazzling Begum (8-6) at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) sft.
Sparkling Montjeu (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon one pace, 7th of 12, 6l behind Stravita (9-9) at Leicester 1m 4f ldy clm stk (6).
Threestoneburn (USA) 10-1 (8-2) Chased leader to 4f out, hampered over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 12l behind Highland Homestead (8-11) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) gs.
