keen close up, ridden 2f out, chased leading pair entering final furlong, kept on one pace
led, ridden 2f out, joined inside final furlong, headed towards finish
pulled hard tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, soon eased
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace
keen tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, headway over 1f out, joined leader inside final furlong, asserted towards finish, readily
Sir Michael Stoute has sent out six of the last nine winners but Crystal Zvezda looks to have plenty to find dropping back in trip. Jazzi Top‘s half-sister Izzi Top won this back in 2012 and the former was beaten only a head in the Prix de L’Opera at Longchamp in October. John Gosden also runs Winter Derby third Furia Cruzada while Irish Rookie was placed in Group 1 races last year and has a shout. But a couple of Group 1 winners take part in a high-class renewal including Arabian Queen, who held off the attentions of Golden Horn to win the Juddmonte International at York at 50/1. She was beaten over 1m4f subsequently and was also behind AMAZING MARIA earlier when the latter won the Falmouth Stakes on the July course here. David O’Meara’s mare followed that success with victory in the Prix Rothschild and should go very close if anywhere near her best on her return.
Amazing Maria (IRE) 15-8 (9-5) A little keen, soon raced in 3rd, dropped to 5th and pushed along into straight, not much room from 2f out, no impression, 7th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Legatissimo (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 1 fll stks (1) Yielding in Sep.
Arabian Queen (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon lost 2nd, chased leading pair until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind Simple Verse (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 fll stks (1) gs in Oct.
Crystal Zvezda 6-4fav (9-1) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway over 2f out, switched left and went 2nd over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 14, nk behind Chain Of Daisies (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2f lst fll stks (1) gs in Oct.
Furia Cruzada (CHI) 8-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Grendisar (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Feb.
Irish Rookie (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Races wide close up, chased leader 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Esoterique (9-3) at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 fll stks (1) gf in Oct.
Jazzi Top 4-1jfav (8-11) Ridden 1f out, led final furlong,headed, kept on, 2nd of 13, hd behind Covert Love (8-11) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 fll (1) gs in Oct.
Kyllachy Queen (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly to lead post, won at Kempton 1m lst fll stks (1) pol in Apr beating Volunteer Point (9-0) by hd, 9 ran.
Persona Grata 11-2 (8-12) 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Si Luna (8-12) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 3 stks hvy in Nov.
Usherette (IRE) (8-10) won at Chantilly 7f stks pol in Apr beating Kenouska (8-10) by 3l, 12 ran.
