tracked leader, led 2f over 2f out, shaken up to go clear and edged left over 1f out, ran on well, easily
tracked leading pair, ridden over 2f out, pressed for 2nd from over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
took keen hold early stages, led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
SONGBIRD will raise a huge cheer if getting her head in front and has to be the selection after an impressive, if belated, debut at Salisbury. She cost 330,000gns as a yearling and will be expected to hold her own in better company than this later in the season. Star Lahib won easily at Chester on Saturday but may not be as effective on this more galloping track under a penalty while Saint Helena looks to be in the handicapper's grip now. Hepworth beat Dazzling Valentine on the Polytrack in January but was only fourth at Goodwood after a break and is now tried in a hood after previous runs in cheekpieces and blinkers.
Songbird (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, challenged 2f out, soon led, pushed clear final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Salisbury 1m 2f fll mdn stks (5) gs in May beating Cushion (8-12) by 5l, 14 ran.
Hepworth 9-2 (9-7) Held up in last trio, headway and switched left over 2f out, driven inside final 2f, stayed on to dispute well held 3rd inside final furlong, never going pace of winner, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Wannabe Loved (10-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Dazzling Valentine 7-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, lost place and dropped towards rear 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, no impression, 5th of 8, 6l behind Cosmic Halo (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 2f fll hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Star Lahib (IRE) 2-1fav (9-4) Took keen hold early, held up in 4th and off the pace, headway on inside 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, led 1f out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Chester 1m 4f fll hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gd beating Pandorica (7-11) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Saint Helena (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Carried right start, held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Jupiter Storm (9-3) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
