tracked leading trio, pushed along and headway on outside 3f out, soon chasing leaders, edged right and weakened inside final 2f, eased when no chance final furlong
held up in close 5th, headway on inside over 3f out, tracking leaders over 2f out, challenged 3f out, soon 2nd, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on until headed and no extra final 100 yards
tracked leading pair, headway on outside over 3f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, driven to challenge over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, kept on strongly, won going away
led and set decent pace, ridden and headed over 2f out, lost 2nd inside final 2f, stayed on same pace in 3rd final furlong
steadied start, held up last, headway on inside and switched right 2f out, stayed on into 4th over 1f out and closed on 3rd but no chance with leading duo
soon tracking leader, lost 2nd inside final 3f, chased leaders, no impression, weakened over 1f out
John Gosden's stable is bidding for a hat-trick in this Group 1 and are doubly represented this year. William Buick has chosen Sultanina, even though the four-year-old lost her unbeaten record last time in the Lancashire Oaks. Stablemate Eastern Belle won a Listed contest at Newbury in June but appears to have a bit to find with some of these including fellow three-year-olds Lustrous and Amazing Maria. Ed Dunlop had reservations about the latter's stamina in the Oaks and his fears were justified but she won twice here as a juvenile and is well regarded. Venus De Milo has been second on three occasions at the highest level and deserves a win so must be respected while Mango Diva bounced back to form at the Curragh last month. But the one to beat may be Alain De Royer-Dupre's NARNIYN if she can reproduce her best form on this quicker surface. She pulled too hard and didn't get home over 1m4f at Saint-Cloud last time and is worth another chance.
Mango Diva 9-2 (9-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 2nd over 1f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Curragh 1m 1f Grp 2 flls (1) gf in Jul beating Lahinch Classics (9-0) by shd, 7 ran.
Narniyn (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) 4th of 7, 2l behind Spiritjim (9-2) at Saint-Cloud(FR) 1m 4f Grp 1 gs in Jun.
Sultanina 9-2 (9-5) Tracked clear leader, closed over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Pomology (9-5) at Haydock 1m 4f Grp 2 flls (1) gs in Jul.
Venus de Milo (IRE) 7-2 (9-10) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 3f out, ridden and strongly pressed 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace in 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Thistle Bird (9-10) at Curragh 1m 2f flls Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Eastern Belle 9-4fav (9-0) Led 1f, tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, led over 1f out, held on, won at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo lst fll (1) gf in Jun beating Pelerin (9-0) by nk, 9 ran.
Lustrous 20-1 (9-0) In rear, ridden on outer in 8th 3f out, no impression from 2f out, 7th of 10, 8l behind Bracelet (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
Amazing Maria (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, pushed along and struggling over 3f eased when no chance over 2f out, tailed off, last of 17, 36l behind Taghrooda (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
