close up on outer, headway and quickened to lead inside final furlong, shaken up and drew clear towards finish comfortably
prominent, ridden 2f out, no impression on leaders and weakened over 1f out
steadied start, settled last, headway inside final 2f, soon hung left, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, not quicken, kept on one pace
steadied start, settled behind, ridden and not trouble leaders final 2f
tracked leader, led narrowly 2f out, no extra when headed and lost 2nd inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden along 3f out, no progress final 2f
soon led, ridden and headed narrowly 2f out, kept pressing leader, regaind 2nd inside final furlong but no chance with winner
A trappy race here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the main protagonists look to be Verba, Sabana Perdida and Once Upon A Grace and the narrow nomination is given to Verba. The selection beat Equlano in her native France last time out and in receipt of weight from her main rivals she will be hard to beat. Sabana Perdida rates the main danger as she beat King Jock when last seen and if fit after a 244-day break she will not be far away. Once Upon A Grace was fifth behind Arch Swing last time out but her stable's runners have tended to need there first starts of the season and she is opposed with this in mind. Elizabeth Swann has been in good form of late but looks vulnerable to a less exposed type. Of the remainder, Lady Grace needs to improve for the fitting of a first time tongue tie if she is to get competitive and with this in mind for the winner we are happy to return to the unexposed Verba.
Sabana Perdida (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) won at Longchamp 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept beating King Jock (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Daniella 16-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, raced wide in rear, ridden and headway from 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Sesmen (8-12) at Lingfield 1m lst fll stk (1) pol in Nov.
Fleuret 9-1 (8-13) Raced on rail, with leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 14, 5l behind Salsa Steps (9-4) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
Once Upon A Grace (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 7th halfway, 5th into straight, 3rd inside final furlong, no extra close home, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Arch Swing (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f 3yo fll Grp 3 gd in Apr '07.
Salsa Steps (USA) 5-1fav (9-4) Tracked leaders going well, led over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Windsor 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr beating Lucayos (8-7) by 4l, 14 ran.
Steam Cuisine 5-2fav (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, ran on strongly and edged left final furlong, led near finish, won at Newbury 7f fll hcp (3) sft in Oct beating Ventura (9-6) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Kylayne 66-1 (8-12) Raced keenly, led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Infallible (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Tathkaar 33-1 (9-0) Tracked leader in centre group, ridden to lead just over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Muthabara (9-0) at Newbury 7f 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) sft in Apr.
Verba (FR) (8-10) Made all, battled on when challenged, won at Maisons-Laffitte 6f stk in Apr beating Equiano (9-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Lady Grace (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, no impression, weakened from over 1f out, 6th of 9, 10l behind Jumbajukiba (9-3) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 (1) sft in Apr.
Elizabeth Swann 15-2 (8-6) Tracked leader, keen early, every chance well over 1f out, soon outpaced, 4th of 7, 4l behind Sir Gerry (9-4) at Ascot 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gs in Apr.
