tracked leader, ridden and every chance from 2f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, ran on and just held rival
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, led ridden 2f out, ridden and headed narrowly inside final furlong, ran on just held
With only three runners declared HORTENSIA should win this contest, in the process continuing her consistent first season. Mick Channon's filly has only once finished worse than fourth and that was at Royal Ascot, with several pieces of form that would entitle her to win this already in the bag. The latest of those came at Kempton where she took second to a reasonable type and a previous defeat of Madany also reads very well. Rated 80 she's got very little to fear from her two rivals, pick of whom may well be Norwegian Liberty, who has twice shown she has ability without suggesting she's anything special. Her third at Carlisle shows she's not averse to a stiff finish and it represented improvement following a debut fifth when well supported. Roodee Queen is a course and distance winner but she was behind Hortensia on better terms at Chester and is unlikely to reverse that form.
Hortensia (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Dwelt, intouch, ridden to chase winner approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Fifth Ave (8-13) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Norwegian Liberty (IRE) 11-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, outpaced when edged left over 1f out, stayed on same pace under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Thirteen Shivers (8-9) at Carlisle 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
Roodee Queen 11-1 (8-6) Keen led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 5, 9l behind Alaskan Spirit (9-2) at Hamilton 6f 2yo auc hcp (5) gd.
