mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace
dwelt, always in rear
slowly into stride, behind, headway on inner over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, soon ridden to chase winner, no impression final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, ran on well, comfortably
held up, no mpression until ridden well over 1f out, ran on strongly, not reached leaders
took keen hold, mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Hugh Morrison has his team in good form now so Labisa has to be respected but a 4lb rise for her narrow win at Warwick last month makes this more difficult for her and a better bet looks to be the in-form OCEANA BLUE, who gets the verdict ahead of Fleeting Star. Jeremy Noseda's filly stepped up on her debut outing as a juvenile when successful at Lingfield on her only subsequent start. She now makes her seasonal reappearance and handicap debut and has to be considered off what seems a fair mark. Clive Brittain's Al Sabaheya was highly tried in a Group 3 at Epsom last time and may do better in this grade, while Balaagha won well enough in a Chester maiden last time but faces no easy task off a mark of 82 for her debut in a handicap. Richard Hannon's Victoria Sponge ran better at Newmarket last time but she has been raised 3lbs since then and a safer option looks to be Oceana Blue. Andrew Balding's filly has won her last two starts, latterly by just a short head at Doncaster but the faster ground this evening should help the daughter of Reel Buddy, who is taken to complete a hat-trick.
Oceana Blue 5-1 (8-9) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead post, won at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gs beating Fishforcompliments (9-2) by shd, 12 ran.
The Jostler 12-1 (8-11) Behind, ridden over 3f out, struggling over 2f out, 7th of 8, 7l behind Harald Bluetooth (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcap (3) pol in Jan.
Al Sabaheya 28-1 (8-8) Tracked leading pair, 5th and weakening straight, tailed off, 7th of 8, 48l behind Eva's Request (9-6) at Epsom Downs 1m fll stks G3 (1) gd.
Nice To Know (FR) 33-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, 7th of 8, 12l behind Rosaleen (8-12) at Pontefract 1m fll lst stks (1) gd.
Balaagha (USA) Evensfav (9-0) Dwelt, soon settled in mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Chester 7f 3yo fll mdn (4) gf in May beating Miss Tango Hotel (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Fleeting Star (USA) 9-4fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on well to lead near finish, won at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Aug beating Master Lightfoot (9-3) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Victoria Sponge (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, still every chance inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 12, nk behind Bombina (8-13) at Newmarket 1m flls hcp (5) gf in May.
Perfect Friend 11-10fav (9-4) In touch, headway to have every chance over 1f out, ridden and hung left and led entering final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 10, nk behind Tikka Masala (9-3) at Leicester 7f (5) gf.
Labisa (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Steadied start, in rear, pushed along briefly over 5f out, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, hung right final furlong, driven out, won at Warwick 7f (5) fm in May beating Cheap Thrills (9-3) by hd, 10 ran.
