soon led and sent clear, reduced advantage approaching straight and headed over 3f out, soon no extra and weakened, eased, tailed off
broke well and soon chased clear leader, 3rd halfway, much closer entering straight and soon led, strongly pressed and headed 2f out, no impression on winner and dropped to 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace under pressure
chased clear leader towards rear on outer, much closer entering straight and 7th 2f out, ridden and soon no extra
chased clear leader in mid-division, much closer entering straight and 5th 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out
chased clear leader, 4th halfway, much closer entering straight and travelled best to lead 2f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong
chased clear leader in rear, much closer entering straight and 6th 2f out, no extra from over 1f out and eased when beaten inide final furlong
chased clear leader, 2nd halfway, closer but driven along approaching straight, soon dropped to rear and eased, tailed off
chased clear leader in mid-division on inner, much closer entering straight and 4th 2f out, soon ridden and went 2nd 1f out but no impression on winner, kept on same pace
chased clear leader in rear of mid-division, much closer entering straight and soon headway on inner to go 3rd, ridden and dropped to 4th well over 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace
chased clear leader in 5th, dropped to rear in straight and no extra, eased when beaten final furlong, tailed off
Sapphire won this a year ago for Dermot Weld, though it wasn't a designated Oaks Trial. CAPONATA represents the yard this time and, though she has plenty to find, was such an impressive winner of her debut at Gowran last month that she's taken to emulate her stablemate, who has gone on to better things. Weld should have a line through Sapphire as she beat Betterbetterbetter in the Group 3 Noblesse Stakes at Cork last time though that was still a very good run from Aidan O'Brien's filly against an older rival. She had Soon, Remember Alexander and subsequent winner Demurely behind on that occasion and looks a major threat. Aaraas is another who should prove difficult to beat as her close second to Princess Highway in a Naas Group 3 last time could hardly have been given a bigger boost when the winner took the Ribblesdale at Ascot last week.
Remember Alexander 9-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, 4th entering straight, soon ridden, 5th 2f out, kept on one paced, 4th of 8, 10l behind Sapphire (9-9) at Cork 1m 4f flls Group 3 stks (1) sft.
Aaraas 12-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd entering straight, 2nd 2f out and soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong without really troubling winner, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Princess Highway (8-9) at Naas 1m 2f flls Group 3 stks (1) in May.
Aloof (IRE) 3-1fav (8-9) Soon led, headed 2f out and soon no extra, eased when beaten final furlong, last of 6, 16l behind Princess Highway (8-9) at Naas 1m 2f flls Group 3 stks (1) in May.
Betterbetterbetter (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Tracked leaders, 5th entering straight, ridden in moderate 3rd 2f out, went moderate 2nd final furlong, not trouble easy winner, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Sapphire (9-9) at Cork 1m 4f flls Group 3 stks (1) sft.
Caponata (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, improved to lead under 2f out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well final furlong, easily, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f 3yo fll stks hvy in May beating Something Graceful (9-0) by 6l, 11 ran.
Dane Street (USA) 11-4fav (9-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, stayed on to lead 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 1m 2f 3yo fll stks gf beating Truthwillsetufree (8-9) by 3l, 15 ran.
Demurely (IRE) 4-5fav (9-0) Made all, asserted from 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Limerick 1m 3f 3yo fll stks sft beating Faanan Aldaar (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Shebella (IRE) 3-1fav (8-9) Settled in 6th, ridden 2f out and soon no impression, kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Princess Highway (8-9) at Naas 1m 2f flls Group 3 stks (1) in May.
Soon (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) In rear, ridden in moderate 6th 2f out, went moderate 3rd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Sapphire (9-9) at Cork 1m 4f flls Group 3 stks (1) sft.
Violet Lashes (USA) 5-4fav (9-0) Ran loose before start and gave a little trouble in stalls, led, headed after a couple of furlongs, led again 2f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Roscommon 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut sft beating Dougal Philps (9-5) by 4l, 6 ran.
