chased leader, ridden 2f out, ridden and stayed on under pressure final furlong, regained 2nd near finish
always behind, ridden and struggling halfway
in touch, ridden 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, one pace and no impression final 2f
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, stayed on gamely
took keen hold in touch, switched left and ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
Princess Valerina can advertise her 1,000 Guineas claims by beating Laurentina, with Lakshmi and Ronaldsay worth a mention at least. Barry Hills rates Princess Valerina very highly, as her Classic entry indicates, and judged on her comfortable success in a Newmarket maiden last October, the daughter of Beat Hollow has plenty more to offer. On breeding she will relish the step up to a mile, and if fit enough, should go close. Her main rival appears to be Laurentina who has winning form round here so is proven on the Polytrack. Her third to the current Oaks favourite Passage Of time at Newmarket last autumn was certainly no disgrace, and she too should run well if anywhere near fit. Mick Channon saddles two, with Lakshmi holding better claims than Fiumicino. Ronaldsay was on the upgrade at the end of last term as well, and bypassed a winter campaign to stay fresh for an assault at the better Turf prizes. Princess Valerina is the pick.
Fiumicino 4-1fav (9-7) In touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Doubly Guest (8-13) at Pontefract 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Harvest Joy (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 7l behind Sesmen (9-0) at Goodwood 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Lakshmi (IRE) 6-5fav (8-7) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, driven clear final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Jul beating Smokey Oakey (8-12) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Laurentina 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon edged left and one pace, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Passage of Time (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2yo lst fll (1) sft in Oct.
Musical Beat 5-2 (9-0) Pulled hard with leaders, ridden and every chance from 2f out, unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Mankanja (9-0) at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn fll aut (5) fbs in Dec.
Mystery Ocean 8-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden halfway, never nearer, 7th of 11, 6l behind Blue Echo (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo lst fll (1) gs in Oct.
Precocious Star (IRE) (8-9) In touch, one pace, 10th of 13, 30l behind Folk (8-9) at Nad Al Sheba 1m lst fll stk (1) std in Feb.
Princess Valerina 7-4 (8-12) Made all, quickened clear over 1f out, eased inside last, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct beating Shmookh (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Ronaldsay 12-1 (8-0) Towards rear, bumped over 4f out, headway on outer over 2f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, all out, won at York 7f 2yo fll hcp (2) gd in Sept beating Voodoo Moon (8-10) by a nk, 10 ran.
