broke well, soon in rear, outpaced 4f out, well beaten over 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to press winner inside final furlong, ran on, just held
prominent on outside, every chance and edged left just over 1f out, no extra towards finish
took keen hold, always prominent, led well over 1f out, held on
held up, headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, unable to challenge
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, no extra and edged right inside final furlong
led early, prominent until 3f out, weakened over 1f out
The outcome of this depends on whether LAPIS BLUE can find enough improvement to defy a penalty. She was having only her second start since August when scoring over track and trip so further progress is likely and David Evans' filly gets the nod to follow up. Barbs Princess and Dodina filled the places behind the selection last time with Layla's Oasis well beaten. All re-oppose on better terns today with the former pair preferred to the likes of Spray Tan and Laughing Rock, who both return from a lay-off.
Lapis Blue (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, soon badly outpaced in rear, plenty to do 2f out, headway towards inside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led towards finish and won going away, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Barbs Princess (9-7) by 1l, 8 ran.
Barbs Princess 6-4fav (9-7) Chased leaders, headway between horses to 2nd and hung left over 1f out, led 1f out, headed and not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Lapis Blue (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Dodina (IRE) 2-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, unable to quicken final 50 yards, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Lapis Blue (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Layla's Oasis 16-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 12l behind Lapis Blue (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Spray Tan 18-1 (9-6) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 2f out, ridden and lost 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Compton Prince (9-2) at Bath 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Laughing Rock (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Joey's Destiny (8-11) at Leicester 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Amis Reunis 14-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, always behind, 8th of 11, 13l behind Imjin River (8-12) at Southwell 5f app hcp (0-55) (6) fbs.