held up in touch, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in rear, switched left and headway over 2f out, no extra final furlong
led until 3f out, soon under pressure, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, held when hampered inside final furlong
held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, led inside final furlong, edged left under pressure, kept on well
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, not pace to challenge
Smart Ass, Guacamole and Sling Back should be there to fight out the finish and we like Smart Ass. The selection had struggled to get her head infront but she won well here on her most recent start and a 6lb rise does not seem harsh under the circumstances. Guacamole definitely comes under the latent ability category. She has become frustrating to follow but connections would not have persevered with her if they did not believe she could win a prize such as this. Sling Back ran in the Distaff at the Shergar Cup last year and tends to come to hand at this time of the season. The market is watched. Royal Fantasy took a long break after a poor run at Ascot so it can be presumed that this performance was nowhere near her true ability. Symbol Of Peace is better known as an all-weather performer but has been successful on fast ground in the past. Emily's Place and Voliere have proved expensive to follow. Smart Ass is hardly a bombproof selection in the finale but she appears the best horse on paper.
Sling Back (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Towards rear, last approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, last of 8, 13l behind Excelerate (9-1) at Cork 7f hcp 0-100 gs in Jul.
Smart Ass (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Keen, held up in rear, headway from over 1f out, driven and stayed on to lead post, won at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Parisian Dream (9-4) by a shd, 14 ran.
Symbol Of Peace (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Led, headed over 6f out, chased leaders after, no impression when slightly short of room 1f out, 8th of 11, 7l behind Ashes Regained (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (4) pol in May.
Voliere 66-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, 5th of 6, 7l behind Blue Ksar (9-5) at Pontefract 1m lst stk (1) gs in Jul.
Royal Fantasy (IRE) 10-3fav (8-6) Held up in rear, effort on stand rail 2f out, soon ridden and no headway, 12th of 16, 12l behind Hassaad (8-13) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Guacamole 12-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2f out, soon behind, 5th of 7, 8l behind Les Fazzani (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (4) pol in Jul.
Emily's Place (IRE) 3-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 5th of 6, 6l behind Lap of Honour (8-11) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Jul.
