held up in touch, progress to challenge over 3f out, stayed on one-paced final furlong
held up mid-division, switched right over 1f out, driven and every chance, no extra close home
held up in touch, smooth headway over 1f out, led, headed and unable to quicken closing stages
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one-paced final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden halfway, soon beaten
tracked leader until weakened over 2f out
steadied start, held up towards rear, switched right and headway over 1f out, driven and ridden to lead closing stages
never dangerous
held up, ridden and some late headway final furlong, never able to challenge
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, faded
chased leaders until weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, never a factor
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
This can go to Birjand, who was only just touched off by subsequent Royal Ascot winner Demonstrate, over course and distance in May. Birjand herself then went on to lose her maiden tag in good style here, when beating Strathspey with more in hand than the official verdict suggested. She is open to further improvement and is taken to score at the main expense of Sweet Kristeen. The latter does have the beating of Birjand, on a line through Strathspey, but the selection probably has more scope for improvement. Astrocharm and Skylark could prove to be the main dangers.