made all, quickened clear over 1f out, kept up to work, comfortable
in touch in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked winner until ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked winner until ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
keen tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch in rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders
This is a competitive handicap and Estiqaama will do very well to complete her hat-trick having been raised 9lb since winning at Sandown in June. Dream Wild was well below par at Newmarket last month, finishing behind Califante, but she may have needed that run and Velvety is better than she showed at York. Starlight Symphony is running well but dropping back to a mile may suit SHARQAWIYAH on this galloping track and Luca Cumani's filly gets a tentative vote as she's been eased a further pound since finishing third at Newbury.
Estiqaama (USA) 9-2 (8-12) Made all, ridden 3 lengths clear over 2f out, still clear entering final furlong, weakening towards finish, just held on, won at Sandown 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun beating Great Timing (9-7) by nk, 9 ran.
Califante 20-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 9, 8l behind Malekat Jamal (8-7) at Newmarket 7f fll hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Sharqawiyah 5-1 (9-7) Held up in last pair, took keen hold, headway over 4f out, switched right over 3f out, ridden and edged left 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Rock Choir (9-4) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Velvety (USA) 4-1 (9-1) Steadied in rear, effort over 2f out, soon beaten, eased over 1f out, last of 8, 30l behind Our Obsession (9-3) at York 1m 2f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gf in Jul.
Dream Wild 4-1 (8-3) Held up, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 8th of 11, 7l behind Indignant (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jul.
Starlight Symphony (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hung left, hung right under pressure inside final furlong, headed last strides, 2nd of 6, hd behind Oratorio's Joy (9-0) at Bath 1m flls hcp 0-80 (4) fm.