in touch, headway halfway, ridden over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed and lost two places final strides
dwelt, in rear, switched left over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, ran on to lead final strides
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
switched left soon after start, chased leaders, weakened halfway
tracked leader, effort over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, went 2nd final strides
In an impossibly tough handicap to work out the marginal vote lands on the side of HORTENSIA who has had some quality entries so now in a handicap could be too good for this field although on his maiden form With Hindsight should go close and Puddle Duck ran well enough on his handicap bow to be considered competitive off this rating. Capping her first couple of progressive starts with a comfortable victory in a Newmarket Maiden the pick was then thought good enough to have a crack at the Group Three Albany Stakes. Ultimately that proved folly but she's obviously well thought of and ran well in defeat last time. With Hindsight has shown plenty of promise in three maidens so while his mark is difficult to assess he should run well again while Puddle Duck was only beaten just over a length on his handicap debut last time but will now have to improve with a couple of lbs added to his load. Roodee Queen took an age to get off the mark and might be exposed in this company and as Belle Royale has form to overturn on the pick, that pick, Hortensia as to get the call.
Hortensia (IRE) 2-1 (9-3) Slight lead, quickened 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Madany (8-12) at Haydock 6f 2yo fll nov stks (4) gf.
With Hindsight (IRE) 10-3 (9-2) Chased winner throughout, ridden 2f out, well held over 1f out, kept on to hold 2nd, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Capaill Liath (8-11) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jun.
Puddle Duck 5-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride and bumped start, pushed along in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Bachelor Knight (8-10) at Redcar 5f 2yo hcp (6) gf.
Roodee Queen 6-1 (8-6) Made all and keen, ridden inside final furlong, held on well, won at Hamilton 6f 2yo mdn aut (6) gf in Jun beating Sophie's Hero (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Little Libretto (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Chased leaders on outside, outpaced 3f out, lost place 2f out, soon beaten and behind, last of 7, 13l behind Julius Geezer (8-12) at Chester 5f 2yo stks (2) gd in May.
Belle Royale (IRE) 200-1 (8-12) Raced stands side, outpaced and always in rear, well behind final 2f, last of 22, 27l behind Memory (8-12) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo fll Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
