keen hold in 3rd, niggled along approaching 2f out, soon no impression, kept on to close on 1st 2 but never getting there inside final furlong
tracked leader, niggled along briefly approaching 2f out, soon closed up travelling well, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
led, attempted to assert from 2f out, soon pressed and headed 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
settled last of the 4, struggling approaching 2f out, soon no impression, kept on to close on principals without threatening inside final furlong
Aidan O'Brien won this a year ago with the three-year-old Misty For Me and comes here with a trio from the younger generation. Maybe was unbeaten in her first campaign and looked ready for a step up in trip when third to stable companion Homecoming Queen in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. She was held up in the Oaks at Epsom next time but was continually impeded and never got a run behind surprise winner Was. The latter showed plenty of pace and stamina so this trip could be her optimum but the form hasn't worked out particularly well. Up is likely to be the outsider of the Ballydoyle trio but she also had a poor run in the French Oaks and is much better than she showed there so don't be surprised by a big effort. John Gosden won this with Dar Re Mi in 2009 and IZZY TOP can score again for the yard. She'll love the ground and trip and her success in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York showed that she was ready to step up to the highest level, a remark that also applies to the very progressive Sapphire who has won Listed and Group 3 contests with the utmost ease. Neither I'm A Dreamer nor Bible Belt can be dismissed in what looks a fascinating contest between the age groups.
I'm A Dreamer (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed just inside final furlong, one pace and lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 6, 3l behind Carlton House (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf in May.
Izzi Top 7-2fav (8-12) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon ridden, edged left inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, won at York 1m 2f fll Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May beating Sajjhaa (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Sapphire (IRE) 11-8fav (9-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd in inner, improved to lead travelling well over 2f out, soon quickened clear, stayed on strongly final furlong, very easily, won at Cork 1m 4f flls Group 3 stks (1) sft in Jun beating Betterbetterbetter (8-9) by 5l, 8 ran.
Up (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) 7th of 12, 9l behind Valyra (8-13) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 2f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gs in Jun.
Bible Belt (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, closer after halfway, 4th and ridden early straight, soon no extra, 4th of 5, 16l behind So You Think (9-1) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
Maybe (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Towards rear when hampered 9f out, headway on outside 2f out, driven in 5th over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 12, 4l behind Was (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Was (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leading pair, led on inside over 2f out, driven out and stayed on well final furlong, won at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun beating Shirocco Star (9-0) by nk, 12 ran.
