held up fifth, headway to lead 3f out, ridden and headed just over 2f out, became unbalanced and soon one pace, no chance with winner
held up fourth, chased leaders 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out
soon led, ridden and headed 7f out, weakened 4f out, soon tailed off
held up rear, headway 3f out, chased leaders, soon under pressure and one pace final 2f
started slowly, held up behind, headway 3f out, led just over 2f out, soon clear, pushed out easily
held up third, led 7f out, ridden and headed 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
took keen hold, tracked leader, ridden and lost place 3f out, soon beaten
Just seven runners for a Vodafone Oaks but it can set up a great meeting for Sheikh Mohammed and his team because our vote goes to Punctilious, with her stablemate, Sundrop, Ouija Board and All Too Beautiful rating as her biggest dangers. The selection warmed up for today's race by landing the Musidora Stakes at York. Much as that race was a sub-standard renewal, she won it well despite the slow pace and drifting left in the closing stages. In fact, she also flashed her tail in the race but, on the upside, did very little wrong overall. She was also placed at Group 1 level at two and is also the choice of Frankie Dettori, so the Godolphin camp must feel fairly confident about her chance. Sundrop was just a short head in front of the selection in the Fillies' Mile last season and returned this year to run an excellent second to the wonderful Attraction in the 1,000 Guineas. She rates an obvious danger, as does the impressive Pretty Polly Stakes winner Ouija Board, the form of that race having worked out very well, and All Too Beautiful. The Sadler's Wells filly is a half-sister to Galileo, Black Sam Bellamy and the Oaks third Melikah, and she comes here having won both of her races, looking highly progressive in the process. Of the others, Necklace is sure to be suited by the step up to 12 furlongs and looked to be coming to hand when sixth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last time, although the stable's first-string looks to be All Too Beautiful. Aidan O'Brien's other runner, Kisses For Me , has been entered to ensure a good pace it would seem. Much as the expensively-purchased Crystal is progressive and likeable, it is asking a lot for her to win an Oaks on the back of a win in a Windsor maiden. Just the the seven runners, then, but a very good race nonetheless, and one that we think might go to Punctilious.
