SHIROCCO STAR deserves a change of fortune and this could be her day. Runner-up in the Oaks at Epsom and the Curragh, she found the fast ground and slow pace against her in the Yorkshire Oaks and today's going will be more suitable. Stablemate Coquet was beaten a long way at York but did better in the Arc Trial at Newbury though she's yet to face soft going. Forces Of Darkness had performed with credit in two Group 1's before landing a Group 3 at Deauville and holds Preferential on that latest run but it's the lightly-raced and progressive Dalkala who may do best of the home contingent as she wasn't beaten too far in a Group 2 last time and will enjoy the soft ground.
Preferential (8-8) won at Chantilly(FR) 1m 4f Listed stks gd in Sep beating Victorinna (9-3) by 2l, 10 ran.
Dalkala (USA) (8-6) 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind La Pomme D'amour (9-4) at Deauville(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gs in Aug.
Forces Of Darkness (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) won at Deauville(FR) 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug beating Nobilis (8-9) by nk, 11 ran.
Myrtlewood (IRE) (8-11) 5th of 13, 1l behind Piracicaba (8-11) at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m 4f 3yo lst stk (1) gs in Sep.
Grace Of Dubai (FR) (8-11) 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Piracicaba (8-11) at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m 4f 3yo lst stk (1) gs in Sep.
Shirocco Star 7-1 (8-11) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression, 4th of 6, 5l behind Shareta (9-7) at York 1m 4f flls Grp 1 (1) gf in Aug.
Coquet 6-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, held up last, switched right and pushed along 4f out, challenged 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 4, 1l behind Black Spirit (9-3) at Newbury 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) gf in Sep.
La Conquerante 15-2 (8-9) 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Forces Of Darkness (8-9) at Deauville(FR) 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug.
