slowly into stride, held up, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, joined winner 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, edged left, lost 2nd last stride
raced keenly, led 1f, prominent, edged right 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd last stride
held up in rear, headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up, raced keenly, headway 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out
led after 1f, strongly pressed when ridden inside final 2f, ran on well inside final furlong
Having disappointed in the Queen Mary, Brian Meehan's LADY OF THE DESERT has clearly appreciated the step up to six furlongs in winning a Group 3 race at Ascot and the Group 2 Lowther Stakers in her last two starts and she can complete a hat-trick in this Group 1 event with the main dangers looking to be Song Of My Heart and Special Duty. Criquette Head-Maarek's filly was beaten by the narrowest of margins in the Prix Morny last time and she has to be respected on her British debut. Ed Dunlop's Habaayib has been highly tried by her handler since winning a listed race in June and needs to improve to trouble the selection but the trainer's runners can never be discounted. Saeed Bin Suroor's Sand Vixen looks to be going the right way and was good value for her win in the Flying Childers last time so she rates a bigger threat than Clive Brittain's Misheer, who was well held by the Godolphin runner last time. David Wachman's Song Of My Heart has won her last two starts in good fashion and has to be respected tackling a fast surface for the fast time but it is hard to get away from Lady Of The Desert, who can win again.
Habaayib 9-4fav (8-12) Dwelt, held up mid-division, ridden 2f out, headway entering final furlong, chased winner well inside final furlong, no chance, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Misheer (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo fll Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Lady Of The Desert (USA) 13-8fav (8-12) Tracked leaders stand side, led over 2f out, driven clear final furlong, readily, won at York 6f 2yo fll Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug beating Beyond Desire (8-12) by 3l, 12 ran.
Misheer 6-4fav (9-0) Led on rail, pushed along and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 4l behind Sand Vixen (8-11) at Doncaster 5f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep.
Puff (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Mister Manannan (9-3) at Ayr 5f 2yo Listed stks (1) gd in Sep.
Sand Vixen 9-2 (8-11) Held up tracking leaders and always going well, switched left over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Doncaster 5f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep beating Bould Mover (9-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
Shamandar (FR) 8-11fav (8-5) Raced far side, held up in mid-division, good headway 2f out, led 1f out, ran on well, won at Ascot 6f 2yo flls auc (2) gd in Sep beating Dubawi Heights (8-12) by 1/2l, 27 ran.
Song Of My Heart (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Mid-division, closer in 5th from under 2f out, 4th over 1f out, squeezed way between horses to challenge and lead inside final furlong, stayed on well to draw clear close home, won at Curragh 6f 2yo lst stk sft in Sep beating Wrong Answer (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Special Duty 7-1 (8-10) 2nd of 5, hd behind Arcano (8-13) at Deauville(FR) 6f 2yo Grp 1 gd in Aug.
Nimue (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Behind centre, outpaced over 2f out, weakened and eased approaching final furlong, last of 12, 39l behind Lady Of The Desert (8-12) at York 6f 2yo fll Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
