Racecards
13:35 Epsom Downs
Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored By Investec) (Fillies' Group 3) (Class 1)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 1m 114y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £70,000 added
- Winner: £39,697
- 2nd: £15,050
- 3rd: £7,532
- 4th: £3,752
Mango Diva
22- Form 12911-4
- Age 4
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey R L Moore
tracked leaders on inside, pushed along one pace and edging left when not much room on rail over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong but never going pace to get competitive
Amulet
27- Form 146-061
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 89
- Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton
- Jockey S W Kelly
led for 1f, tracked leader until well over 1f out, chased leaders, riden and edged left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
- Form 2/1670-6
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 84
took keen hold, held up in last pair, pushed along over 3f out, ridden on outside 2f out, never in contention
- Form 91528-7
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey David Probert
chased leading pair, pushed along over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 21306-5
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer C Hills
- Jockey J P Spencer
took keen hold, held up un 6th on inside, headway and edging left over 1f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, finished well and closed on 2nd but well held by winner
- Form 09003-4
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer C E Brittain
- Jockey Kieren Fallon
took keen hold, tracked leader, led after 1f, pushed along oover 2f out, kept on well until ridden and headed over 1f out, chased leading pair, no extra and lost 3rd inside final furlong
- Form 2144/0-6
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer B J Meehan
- Jockey J Fortune
steadied start, held up in rear, pushed along and struggling on inside 3f out, never a factor
Odeliz (IRE)
22- Form 134-253
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 106
held up in close touch in 5th, smooth headway travelling well over 2f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
- Form 19263-6
- Age 6
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer H & R Charlton
- Jockey James Doyle
held up in 7th, smooth headway on outside travelling well over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, went 2nd approaching final furlong, led 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on strongly
- Form 4061-17
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer R Hannon
- Jockey Richard Hughes
took keen hold, held up in last trio, pushed along over 3f out, ridden on outside 2f out, no impression when edged left well over 1f out
Verdict
Thistle Bird's only win of last year came in this event though this looks a tougher renewal. The Charlton filly needs to reverse latest running at York with Odeliz and Mango Diva and may well do so, but JUST THE JUDGE is worth another chance. Last year's winner of the Irish 1000 Guineas lost her form at the end of the season but is expected to improve from a comeback run in the Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket and gets the nod. Dual Listed winner Zurigha is another to consider as she has the beating of recent Ascot winner Amulet on collateral form and the remainder are mostly smart handicappers looking for their first wins in pattern company.
Formwatch
Mango Diva 9-2 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching final furlong, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Ambivalent (9-0) at York 1m 2f fll Grp 2 stks (1) gs in May.
Amulet 15-2 (8-9) Made all, hard pressed over 1f out, ridden and kept on under pressure inside final furlong, held on, won at Ascot 1m fll hcp (2) gs in May beating Ribbons (9-6) by nk, 8 ran.
Audacia (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, not quicken when not clear run switched left and raced awkwardly over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dusky Queen (9-5) at York 7f fls hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May.
Butterfly Mcqueen (USA) 11-2 (8-9) Led, headed over 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 30l behind Graphic (9-0) at Doncaster 1m Listed stks (1) sft in Mar.
Just The Judge (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Mull Of Killough (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Masarah (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Held up in rear in touch, switched right and headway inside final 2f, ridden inside final furlong, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 8, 5l behind Amulet (8-9) at Ascot 1m fll hcp (2) gs in May.
Melody Of Love 33-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Emerald Star (8-6) at Lingfield 7f fll stks G3 (1) gd in May.
Odeliz (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) In rear, headway when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Ambivalent (9-0) at York 1m 2f fll Grp 2 stks (1) gs in May.
Thistle Bird 10-3fav (9-0) Keen close up, headway to track winner over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 6l behind Ambivalent (9-0) at York 1m 2f fll Grp 2 stks (1) gs in May.
Zurigha (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Keen tracked leader until ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 10l behind Esoterique (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 1f flls Grp 3 (1) gf in May.