Mike De Kock and Godolphin have dominated this in previous years so it's a huge surprise that neither has an entry and it leaves the door open for CLADOCERA. The French-based filly, a Listed winner at Longchamp in the summer, was sent to Kempton for her all-weather debut in November and would have won a Listed contest but for finding trouble. Slipper Orchid made good late headway when not far behind Belgian Bill a couple of weeks ago while Oh Star gained an impressive maiden victory at Yarmouth for John Gosden in July. Zurigha represents Richard Hannon and she has some strong form to her credit including landing a Listed contest at Newmarket. Energia Fribby, a Group 1 winner in Brazil, landed a Listed contest at Chester for Marco Botti and is just the type to do well here,
Victoria Regina (IRE) (8-9) 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Entree (9-4) at Chantilly(FR) 1m Listed stks gs in Sep.
Zurigha (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) 8th of 10, 5l behind Umgiyo (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f hcp std.
Anahita (FR) 8-11fav (8-13) 3rd of 9, 1l behind Beauty Parlor (8-13) at Bordeaux Le Bouscat(FR) 1m 1f 3yo lst stk gd in Sep.
Energia Fribby (BRZ) 7-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden, switched left and not much room over 2f out, soon well held, last of 5, 11l behind Pether's Moon (9-6) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Wee Jean 50-1 (9-0) Prominent and disputed lead, led 2f out, kept on under pressure, headed 100 yards out, no extra, 5th of 10, 2l behind Fiesolana (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m flls Grp 1 (1) gf in Sep.
Cladocera (GER) 20-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, ran on, never reached winner, 2nd of 12, nk behind Sloane Avenue (9-0) at Kempton 1m Listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Slipper Orchid (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) 5th of 16, 1l behind Belgian Bill (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp gd.
Oh Star (USA) 4-1 (8-11) 2nd of 10, 3l behind Bawina (8-11) at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 1m 3yo lst stk gs in Jul.
