led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace
pulled hard in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, edged right 2f out, stayed on
slowly into stride, in touch, slightly hampered 2f out, soon ridden, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led 1f, kept on well
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, had heels clipped 2f out, soon weakened
held up and keen, joined leader well over 4f out, weakening when clipped heels and fell 2f out
held up in touch, ridden well over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
always towards rear, well behind from 2f out
With Kieren Fallon booked for the ride, Ardent Lady is sure to attract plenty of support in this fillies' handicap but there are valid reasons for opposing her and we prefer to side with In A Silent Way, who gets the vote over Magic Mistress. Carlisle winner Ardent Lady has obvious claims off the same mark as when second to John Dunlop's Lautrec at Redcar. However, Dunlop senior's horses have been badly out of form in recent weeks so the form may not amount to a great deal and, taking into account the Fallon factor, Ardent Lady may not be much of a price. Magic Mistress seemed to show improved form for the step up to this trip at Sandown last time and has to be respected but, having been raised 4lbs since, has been done few favours by the handicapper. In A Silent Way is also unexposed over this distance and ran her best race this term when upped to a mile at Leicester on her most recent outing, staying on well at the finish. Michael Jarvis continues to churn out the winners and, off just a 2lb higher mark than at Leicester, In A Silent Way gets the vote. Tropical Carol is held by the selection on running last time and looks a shade high in the weights now and a bigger threat to Ed Dunlop's horse may come from Coconut Penang, who races off the same mark as when second to Bond Diamond at Windsor in April. Two subsequent heavy defeats temper enthusiasm for her though so we are happy to stick with In A Silent Way.
