mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
started slowly, reluctant to race, always in rear
tracked leader, ridden along over 2f out, went on to lead inside final furlong readily
in touch, effort on outside over 2f out, soon ridden and beaten
soon led, edged left from over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
in touch, until weakened quickly over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, eased when no chance from 2f out
in touch until weakened over 2f out
always behind
started slowly, always in rear
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, chased winner briefly over 1f out, one-pace final furlong
in touch, effort on wide outside over 2f out, soon hard driven, weakened over 1f out
in touch until weakened over 2f out
held up, effort on nearside rail from over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, finished well
held up, good headway and switched left over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, ridden and one-pace final furlong
towards rear, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous
behidn from halfway
in touch on inner, switched left to outer to press leaders over 1f out, not quicken final furlong
A 19-runner handicap for three-year-olds at Windsor is not the best of betting mediums but Dust Goddess can defy topweight at the expense of Ambrosine, Doris Souter and Pilgrim Spirit. Ed Dunlop's filly, a half-sister to several winners, so nearly made a winning debut at Leicester in March when coming from out of the clouds to run Tease to a head. A combination of soft ground and traffic problems was enough for her to throw in the towel on her next engagement here, while one or two pundits questioned her attitude after she was well held on a return to Leicester. It was more a question of her needing the experience, and as the ability is definitely there, we are prepared to stick with her as she bids to shrug off topweight. The opposition is certainly no stronger than she has encountered so far, with Doris Souter the best of them. Richard Hannon's filly opened her account over the course and distance on what was her first attempt at the trip, but it was not the strongest of contests. Pilgrim Spirit is one of John Gosden's lesser lights and could end up in middle-distance handicaps this autumn, while Ambrosine looks to be a slow maturing but progressive sort judged on her third to Toy Story at Sandown. Lacking a gear, she nonetheless stuck to her task really well and will appreciate a stiff test in time. However, with Ed Dunlop's stable ticking over nicely, Dust Goddess gets the nod.
