Mike De Kock's three southern hemisphere-bred fillies have to concede weight all round, as two of them did in the Trial which was won in emphatic style by Wedding Ring from Magrooma. That was a very slowly run affair however and the runner-up, who was having her first start since July, should make more of a race of it this time. Christophe Soumillon, who rode her that day, has chosen Mensoora this time and she will have come on for last week's run behind Certify in the Cape Verdi. IHTIMAL was only a neck behind Wedding Ring in a Newmarket maiden last June and did exceptionally well subsequently, scoring twice at Group level including the May Hill at Doncaster. She ended her campaign with a third place in the Fillies' Mile and her overall form gives her the edge. The remainder look as though they have plenty to do.
Ihtimal (IRE) 5-2 (8-12) Held up in rear, headwayover 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Chriselliam (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2yo fll Grp 1 (1) gf in Sep.
Magroora (AUS) 16-1 (9-4) 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Wedding Ring (8-8) at Meydan(UAE) 7f flls stks in Jan.
Feedyah (USA) 11-2 (8-12) Held up 4th and last, effort 2f out, switched right towards far side rail over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead narrowly well inside final furlong, held on, won at Ascot 1m 2yo fll stks (2) gd in Sep beating Adhwaa (8-12) by nk, 4 ran.
Oxsana 11-2 (8-8) 7th of 10, 6l behind Wedding Ring (8-8) at Meydan(UAE) 7f flls stks in Jan.
Illuminating Dream (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, kept on well to chase winner inside final furlong, always well held, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Bremner (9-5) at Ayr 1m 2yo nov stk (4) sft in Sep.
More Aspen (USA) 25-1 (8-8) 4th of 10, 4l behind Wedding Ring (8-8) at Meydan(UAE) 7f flls stks in Jan.
Magrooma (AUS) 6-1 (9-4) 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Wedding Ring (8-8) at Meydan(UAE) 7f flls stks in Jan.
Wedding Ring 5-4fav (8-8) won at Meydan(UAE) 7f flls stks in Jan beating Magrooma (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Mensoora (SAF) 8-1 (8-9) 5th of 6, 8l behind Certify (9-3) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Letterfromamerica (USA) 25-1 (8-8) 3rd of 10, 3l behind Wedding Ring (8-8) at Meydan(UAE) 7f flls stks in Jan.