towards rear, brief effort 4f out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out and lost place, kept on one pace from over 1f out to take 2nd again inside final furlong
in touch, chased winner over 3f out, weakened final furlong
led, made all, ridden clear over 1f out
towards rear, headway 5f out, ridden and hung left over 2f out, kept on
towards rear, moderate late progress
tracked leaders, weakened 3f out
A weak contest where the market and trainers who do well in this sphere look to be our most informative guides and we take Nimra to get the better of Baba Ganouge and Ashmal. The selection is proven over this trip, finishing runner-up three times over it last year, and in the context of this race showing very decent form in the process. True, she is a bit of a one pacer and she was hammered at york on her reappearance, but this is not nearly as tough and she is given one more chance. Baba Ganouge has only two runs to her name but the latter was one of promise, and this extra quarter of a mile should be right up her street, so she is very much respected. Ashmal is another who showed her first reals signs of ability last time out at Salisbury and with her yard flying it would be no surprise to see her go close. Others to note here are Sadler's Leap and debutante Boekenhoutskloof, especially is the rains arrive, but our vote goes to Nimra.
Nimra (USA) 33-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 17, 40l behind Kayf Aramis (8-9) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in May.
Sadler's Leap (IRE) 13-2 (9-6) Started very slowly, in rear, hard ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 10l behind Winter Sunrise (8-7) at Sandown 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gs in May.
Ashmal (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden and effort 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Fretwork (8-12) at Salisbury 1m 2f mdn fll (4) gs in May.
Baba Ganouge (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Led after 2f, headed over 2f out, chased winner to over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Moon Quest (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Berry Hill Lass (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) Chased leaders in 4th, weakened from 2f out, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Wise Little Girl (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn fll (5) gf.
Boekenhoutskloof (IRE) Selkirk filly out of a lightly-raced mare.
Esclarmonde (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Held up last, ridden over 3f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 10, 11l behind Fretwork (8-12) at Salisbury 1m 2f mdn fll (4) gs in May.
Looktheotherway (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden and no impression final 2f, 5th of 8, 5l behind Marzelline (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn fll (5) gf.