tracked leader, hard driven to challenge over 1f out, stayed on gamely without threatening
led, ridden and headed final furlong, no extra
went right start, soon tracking leader, under pressure and lost place well over 1f out
raced keenly in rear, never dangerous
steadied start, held up in rear, driven and headway over 1f out, never able to challenge
mid-division, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, edged right and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong
slowly into stride, pulled hard in rear, never a factor
This has been a good race for favourites over the years and could provide some respite for punters after the two handicaps. Lucky Leigh looks likely to head the market following her fourth in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. It will be fascinating to see if there is any confidence behind the chance of Heart Shaped this afternoon as the O'Brien runner was just 9-2 to land the Queen Mary whereas Lucky Leigh was a relatively unfancied 12-1. They were separated by around eight lengths that afternoon but Heart Shaped palpably failed to give her running having been hampered at the start. The very fact O'Brien deems it worth having another crack at the Channon runner ensures that the Storm Cat filly merits respect. She stilll has plenty of ground to make up on Lucky Leigh though who was only beaten three quarters of a length into fourth at the Royal meeting and fared comfortably best of those drawn high. She looks to have plenty of scope and she'll be suited by the stiff finish here so with no draw bias to cope with either, can gain a valuable success. Those in front of her included a stablemate of the well regarded Mrs Kipling so the Callaghan team should have a nice line to the chances of their filly who faces a big step up in class following a facile success at Lingfield; it has been six years since a winner of this race came straight out of maiden company which is a big negative for her chances. That comment also applies to Sea Of Leaves whilst Art Princess and Please Sing have a good bit to find on the form that they showed in the Albany Stakes and victory for either of the remaining runners would be a surprise. It's interesting that Heart Shaped is allowed to do battle with LUCKY LEIGH once again but the Channon filly won their first tussle comfortably and is taken to leave no room for doubt by confirming the form this afternoon.
Ahla Wasahl 2-1jt-fav (8-9) Tracked leaders on inside switched left inside final 2f, closed to lead inside final furlong, ridden clear, won at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Jun beating Deal Clincher (9-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
Art Princess (USA) 16-1 (8-12) Held up, headway halfway, driven over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 14, 4l behind Cuis Ghaire (8-12) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo fll Grp 3 (1) frm in Jun.
Heart Shaped (USA) 9-2 (8-12) Raced in main group, bumped start, soon switched left, held up, ridden halfway, no chance final 2f, 14th of 17, 8l behind Langs Lash (8-12) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo fll Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Kerrys Requiem (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) In touch 4th, pressed leaders inside final furlong, quickened to lead well inside final furlong, won at Windsor 5f 2yo fll (2) gf in Jun beating White Shift (9-5) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Lucky Leigh 14-1 (8-12) Raced far side, held up in rear, pushed along halfway, ran on to lead that group 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on, 1st in group, 4th of 17, 3/4l behind Langs Lash (8-12) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo fll Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Mrs Kipling (IRE) 4-7fav (8-12) Went right start, took keen hold, tracked leader, led 1f out, shaken up and ran on well, won at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn (5) frm in Jun beating Pocket's Pick (9-3) by 2l, 8 ran.
Please Sing 6-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden 2f out, soon beaten, 11th of 14, 14l behind Cuis Ghaire (8-12) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo fll Grp 3 (1) frm in Jun.
Sea of Leaves (USA) 2-1fav (9-0) Mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden, ran on final furlong, led final 30 yards, ridden out, won at Salisbury 5f 2yo mdn fll (4) gf in Jun beating Raedah (9-0) by a hd, 11 ran.
