tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up behind, ridden over 2f out, soon headway, stayed on well towards finish
chased leaders, led over 3f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, driven along well over 2f out, never dangerous
held up, smooth headway towards outer 2f out, soon ridden, led entering final furlong, soon edged right, driven out
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong
with leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
A competitive renewal of this May Hill Stakes can go to Ariege ahead of Cape Amber, Don't Forget Faith and Sugar Mint. Tommy Stack's filly comes here on the back of a decent fourth in a Group Two at the Curragh when she was stepping down to seven furlongs. Now back up to a mile again she is a threat that must be taken very seriously, especially as today's quicker ground may prove to be in her favour. Favourites do not have a great record in recent years, however Don't Forget Faith is likely to be prominent in the betting and should give a good account of herself. She takes a further step up in trip having narrowly failed to get up at Newmarket and that form looks solid. Sugar Mint has fair form at the track and shouldn't be underestimated; Barry Hills' charge looked as though the run would do her good physically and mentally and she rates a threat at a fair price. Step Softly has a 100% record but looks more of a sprinter at this stage of her career, whilst Sweet Kiss is another potential improver. Cape Amber, Kotsi, Lady Jane Digby and Spacious all won their maiden's and any of them could prove to be good enough today, so in a very open renewal, we will tentatively return to Ariege as the nomination.
Ariege (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Led and disputed, strongly pressed from 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Campfire Glow (8-12) at Curragh 7f 2yo fll Grp 2 (1) gs in Aug.
Celtic Slipper (IRE) 17-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, no extra when headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Sense of Joy (9-0) at Goodwood 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Don't Forget Faith (USA) 5-2 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon edged left, kept on, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Albabilia (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) frm in Aug.
Kotsi (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Prominent, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) sft in Aug beating Annie Skates (8-11) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Lady Jane Digby 20-1 (9-0) Held up behind leaders, not much room approaching final furlong, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Doncaster 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gf in Aug beating Quotation (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Miss Emma May (IRE) 10-3fav (9-0) Keen, held up, ridden 2f out, no impression until stayed on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 17, 1 1/2l behind Kotsi (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) sft in Aug.
Prima Luce (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Led, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied under pressure to regain lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Curragh 7f 2yo mdn fll sft in Aug beating Forthefirstime (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Soinlovewithyou (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Soon chased leaders on outer, 6th before halfway, moderate 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 6l behind Katiyra (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo mdn gs in Aug.
Spacious 10-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Aug beating Dr Faustus (9-3) by 4l, 10 ran.
Step Softly 2-1fav (9-0) With leader, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Haydock 6f nov fll stk (4) gf in Aug beating Kylayne (9-3) by a hd, 6 ran.
Sugar Mint (IRE) 13-8fav (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Falcolnry (9-0) at Doncaster 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gf in Aug.
Sweet Kiss (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, effort over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Laureldean Gale (9-0) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn fll (2) gf in Jul.
Cape Amber (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) In touch, progress 3f out, led 2f out, ran on well final furlong, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) frm in Aug beating Fifty (9-0) by 3l, 18 ran.
