soon led, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up last, ridden and headway from 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, switched left and ran on close home, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway from 2f out, challenged on outside inside 2f out, led 1f out, driven out final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
pulled hard and held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
prominent, ridden and challenged over 2f out, one pace
On the face of it this is even less competitive than division one of the same event and Apple Blossom looks good enough to take it from Al Badeya and Contentious. The Geoff Wragg-trained selection ran a stinker at Chester last time and probably did not handle the track, but will be better suited here. Her penultimate run reads well in the context of this race and she is given another chance to get off the mark. Al Badeya will probably receive good support and did not do badly on debut when a six-length fourth over a mile at Nottingham. Even so, a fair improvement is required to beat the selection and she is opposed. Contentious has raced only on easy ground so far so we are taking an trip into the unknown here, but her sire Giant's Causeway didn't mind hearing his hooves rattle and this trip also looks ideal for starters this season, so she can go close. Keep an eye on the market here as well and see what confidence there is in the debutantes, but we are happy to side with Apple Blossom to break her maiden tag.
Al Badeya (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Raced towards centre, in touch, joined stand's side group over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind Jaleela (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) gf in May.
Apple Blossom (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 13, 11l behind Azeema (9-0) at Chester 7f 3yo mdn fll (3) gd in May.
Areyaam (USA) Elusive Quality filly, half-sister to winning miler Falcon Dive£.
Blackberry Pie (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Dwelt, behind, headway on outer 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Arabian Treasure (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn fll (5) gf in May.
Contentious (USA) 9-2jt-fav (8-12) Led for 2f, stayed prominent, led again 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Mythical Kid (9-3) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Instantly (IRE) Dansili filly, half-sister to 1m4f winner Warbeck and 7f winner Macauley.
Madam Vouvray Vettori filly out of 1m4f winner April Stock.
Pulsate Inchinor filly, sister to winners from 7f-1m, half-sister to several winners from 7f-1m4f.
Rangali Belle 25-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never going pace to trouble leaders, 5th of 10, 6l behind Proponent (9-3) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sept.
Saaratt 20-1 (9-0) Started slowly, towards rear, steady headway from over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 14, 6l behind Sell Out (9-0) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Nov.
Wickedish 33-1 (7-12) Keen, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on, not trouble leaders, 5th of 7, 7l behind Steam Cuisine (9-4) at Yarmouth 7f 2yo fll hcp (4) gf in Sept.
