held up towards rear, pushed along 6f out, weakened well over 2f out
tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
always behind, pulled up over 5f out
made all, clear from over 5f out, hard ridden over 1f out, just held on
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, took 2nd inside final furlong, just failed
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
ROSES FOR THE LADY is our idea of the winner with Perfect Truth and Hidden Brief on the short list. A winter on the back of John Oxx's filly seemed to work the oracle for her and while that victory was obtained on ground that was quicker than this, there is enough in her pedigree to suggest that any overnight rain will not be a problem. She is set to renew rivalries with Perfect Truth. Aidan O'Brien won this race last year but his filly, who is a proven front runner, will need to work hard to reverse form. Hidden Brief is still a maiden but her Sandown run suggests that this won't be an issue for too much longer. Sir Michael Stoute has a surprisingly modest record in this race. Phillipina already gives the impression of needing further. Simple Solution won what appeared to be a weak maiden at Kempton last term. The second, fourth and fifth have all gone on to win since. Hazy Dancer is incredibly well bred and it would be no surprise to see her have matured greatly since her debut victory. Mystical Spirit should give her owners a good day out. The preliminaries will be vitally important here and in the absence of those observations, Roses For The Lady makes most appeal.
Hazy Dancer 11-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, driven final furlong, just held on, won at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn fll (4) pol in Oct beating Applause (9-0) by shd, 12 ran.
Hidden Brief 10-3 (9-0) Led and set good pace, ridden and headed narrowly 2f out, pressed winner afterwards, held when slightly hampered and checked inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Star Ruby (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo fll mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Mystical Spirit (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, 4th of 5, 15l behind Kind Heart (8-7) at Southwell 1m 2yo nov stks (5) fbs in Nov.
Perfect Truth (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, headed last 50 yards and no extra, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Indiana Gal (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f flls lst stks pol in Apr.
Phillipina 13-8fav (9-0) Behind, pushed along over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong but not pace to reached leaders, 5th of 14, 7l behind Natural Flair (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo mdn fll (4) in Apr.
Roses For The Lady (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Always prominent, 2nd halfway, led under 2f out, strongly pressed well inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f 3yo fll mdn gd in Mar beating Jakarta Jazz (9-0) by shd, 16 ran.
Simple Solution (USA) 15-8 (9-0) In touch, ridden to lead 2f out, clear final furlong, ridden out comfortably, won at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn fll (4) pol in Sep beating Sri Kandi (9-0) by 4l, 10 ran.
