slowly away, always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, challenged inside final furlong, unable to quicken near finish
held up, outpaced 3f out, ridden and headway approaching 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden to press leader when hung left over 2f out, joined leader over 1f out, fought with leader throughout final furlong, won on the nod
tracked leader until over 2f out, kept on one pace
led, edged right over 3f out, ridden and joined over 1f out, fought with winner throughout final furlong, lost on the nod
SPARKLING SMILE will have to prove her stamina over this far but she may be capable of improving for the step up in trip and given her recent form she is hard to oppose, while Ghufa is the obvious danger and Union Island can go very well. The last-named is also upped in distance from 10f and put in a good performance at Sandown last time. Fast ground suits and with Darshaan on the dam's side of his pedigree he should be capable of getting home. Ghufa is very much a specialist over 12f, having won five of his eight races over the trip. Fast ground suits and he is only 1lb above his best win so he is a leading player. Grateful Descent is back on a winning mark and is adaptable as far as distance and ground is concerned, so she is also a genuine contender, but we will side with Sparkling Smile. David Lanigan's filly is very much an improver and relishes these conditions, so we will hope that she can see out this step up in trip to make it four from four.
Amanda Carter 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led over 8f out, ridden and headed 2f out, edged left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 6, 9l behind Paktolos (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Union Island (IRE) 11-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 3l behind Agapanthus (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Ghufa (IRE) 9-2 (9-10) Held up towards rear, steady headway and switched right over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, sustained run to lead final 110 yards, won at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun beating Contradiktive (8-5) by 1l, 11 ran.
Sparkling Smile (IRE) 2-1fav (9-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along over 3f out, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, always doing enough, won at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun beating Grey Bunting (9-5) by 1l, 6 ran.
Graceful Descent (FR) 4-1 (9-11) Held up behind, driven and outpaced on outside over 3f out, soon ridden, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to go 3rd near finish, not reached leaders, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Belle Noverre (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Indochina 12-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Futurist (9-0) at Pontefract 1m 2f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Oct.
Missionaire (USA) 14-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, some headway over 2f out, soon no progress, 8th of 12, 13l behind Arctic Cosmos (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun.
