always in rear division
dwelt, soon prominent, ridden 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed 2f out, ridden and no extra final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
in touch, driven halfway, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, never on terms
led, headed over 4f out, remained in touch, regained lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
Soft Focus is taken to come out on top over the likes of Sweet Pickle, Caerphilly Gal and Ballycroy Girl. Soft Focus was the subject of a gamble on here first start in three months at Lingfield two weeks ago, and she only just failed to bring home the bacon, going down by a head to Hollow Jo. The switch to this slower surface and step up in trip will not be an inconvenience and she should be supported to go one better. Sweet Pickle was back in fourth place at the Surrey track and on four-pound better terms can be expected to make a race of it, but if Soft Focus gets first run then she should again come out on top. Caerphilly Gal was in consistent form last year and has been successful over the course and distance as well, but she has an inexperienced pilot on board, while Ballycroy Girl has her first try on this surface and has been in action over hurdles. Soft Focus was fancied last time and will hopefully get the losses back today.
Ballycroy Girl (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 15l behind Zanjeer (8-12) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Soft Focus (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden to lead narrowly just inside final furlong, ran on until caught final strides, 2nd of 11, hd behind Hollow Jo (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Sweet Pickle 8-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, soon recovered into mid-division, headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2l behind Hollow Jo (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Dispol Isle (IRE) 25-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 12l behind Scotland The Brave (8-8) at Ayr 7f fll hcp (5) hvy in Oct.
Red Finesse 6-1 (9-1) Driven in rear 3f out, always behind, 9th of 11, 9l behind Hollow Jo (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Tequila Sheila (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 7l behind Connotation (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Caerphilly Gal 9-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 8l behind Captain Darling (8-9) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Witchelle 15-2 (9-9) Chased leaders stands side, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 9th of 17, 6l behind Aahgowangowan (9-6) at Thirsk 6f fll hcp (5) gf in Jun.