held up in 4th and close enough, went 3rd halfway, pushed along over 4f out, no impression 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
in touch in 3rd place, chased winner 3f out, soon ridden, no impression on winner, no extra and lost 2nd inside final furlong
led 2f, chased winner until 3f out, ridden and soon weakened
dwelt, led after 2f, ridden a couple of lengths clear 2f out, tired towards finish, always holding rivals
There may only be five turning up for this but it is fantastic for racing that the first three in last year's Oaks renew rivalries here, and at the weights we will take SARISKA to once again finish ahead of those she conquered that day, High Heeled and Midday. The selection followed up her Epsom win with one in the Irish equivalent at The Curragh, though she was then held back here by Dar Re Mi, and after a troubled race in the Champion Stakes she arrived too late on the scene behind Twice Over. She is better than the bare form of that race suggests, and the conditions of this contest favour her, with no concerns over the ground. With Michael Bell really having hit form in recent days we will side with his filly. Midday was succumbed by just a head in the Oaks, and although beaten over seven lengths by our pick in Ireland, she continued to progress after that, culminating in success in the Filly & Mare Turf at the Breeders' Cup. Her problem is that she carries a 5lb penalty for that, and while Henry Cecil has been the maestro of training the females over the decades, even his magic may not be good enough to get her home in front today. High Heeled remained clear third-best of the trio last season, winning a Listed race here and also the Group 3 St Simon Stakes at Newbury, but she has a few pounds to find on the book and a tough task as a result. A win for either of the other pair would be a surprise from what we have seen, though it would not do to underestimate Ribblesdale winner Flying Cloud with another winter under her belt, and paddock inspection would be advisable if considering the Godolphin runner. A race to savour and one where we will side with Sariska.
Midday 9-4 (8-8) Rail bid,cleared,held, won at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2f flls Grp 1 (1) fm in Nov beating Pure Clan (8-12) by 1l, 8 ran.
Flying Cloud (IRE) 3-1 (8-10) 6th of 15, 3l behind Eva's Request (8-13) at Capannelle(ITY) 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Honimiere (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Raced alone stand side, led overall, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, rallied near finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind Strawberrydaiquiri (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f fll stks G3 (1) gs.
Sariska 8-1 (8-9) Dwelt, held up in rear, headway on outer from over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Twice Over (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
High Heeled (IRE) 4-1fav (8-7) Held up in rear, smooth headway to lead 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct beating Tastahil (9-3) by 6l, 11 ran.
