keen tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd well inside final furlong
made all, ridden 1f out, edged left and ran on
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, switched left and effort 1f out, kept on to go 3rd near finish
pulled hard, soon tracked winner, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong and lost 2 places
Back against her own sex EXCELLO rates our idea of the winner ahead of Marlinka and Eucharist, although Fettuccine is a fascinating newcomer. Whilst the Windsor Castle Stakes isn't Royal Ascot's strongest juvenile contest, that Excello could run so well as a filly suggests she should take some beating back in this company. Indeed until very close home it looked as though Excello would win that Listed prize and providing she's over those exertions compensation awaits. Marlinka is another to have gone to the Royal meeting but failed to run to her potential in the Group Two Queen Mary. Prior to that though Roger Charlton's inmate had coasted to victory in a Ffos Las maiden, a performance that marked her out as above-average, and we can expect her to figure prominently once more. If this proves to come too soon for our pair then Eucharist might be best placed to take advantage. She finished behind a subsequent winner on debut and has improved since, getting off the mark in game fashion last time; there should be more to come. On a line through The Sydney Arms, Golden Shine should finish close to Eucharist and must be considered. However, her maiden success came on appreciably softer ground and it remains to be seen whether these conditions will suit this Royal Applause filly. Fifth Commandment has a bit to find on paper but is progressing having made all at Bath last time and she should hold Rosina Grey, with Fettuccine the unknown quantity perhaps capable of trumping them all. It's interesting that Jeremy Noseda sends this speedily-related sort straight into this company and a market check is needed, but she'll have to be something special to beat our selection Excello on debut if she runs to Royal Ascot form.
Golden Shine 3-1 (8-13) Stumbled start, took keen hold, soon chased leader, pushed along halfway, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind The Sydney Arms (8-10) at Newbury 5f 2yo fll stks (3) gf in May.
Marlinka 20-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 14th of 18, 16l behind Maqaasid (8-12) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo fll Grp 2 (1) gf.
Rosina Grey 12-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, shied at path 3f out, chased winner 2f out, no impression and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Dingle View (8-12) at Salisbury 5f 2yo fll stks (3) gs in May.
Eucharist (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead post, won at Sandown 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf beating Master Macho (8-9) by shd, 13 ran.
Excello 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, effort and edged left entering final furlong, led inside final furlong, headed near finish, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Marine Commando (9-3) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gd.
Fettuccine (IRE) Invincible Spirit filly out of Capannacce.
Fifth Commandment (IRE) 3-1 (8-6) Made most, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on, won at Bath 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) gf beating Delira (8-4) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
