slowly into stride, soon outpaced
fly jumped start, in touch over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
chased winner, ridden halfway, one pace final furlong
keen, held up in touch, ridden 2f out, no impression
went right start and slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along halfway, no impression
chased winner throughout, ridden 2f out, no impression final furlong
keen, held up in touch, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, soon switched right, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on
awkward on leaving stalls, in touch over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on to take 4th inside final furlong
This is no easier to solve than any other race on the card and we'll take DUCHESS DORA to take it from Midnight Martini and Rose Blossom. The last-named ideally wants fast ground to be seen to best effect, but she put together some good performances last season, and can be forgiven for being comfortably beaten in a Group 2 here. However, she was disappointing in a Listed contest at Nottingham on her reappearance and has a bit to prove after that. Midnight Martini won a very competitive big-field event here over 6f at last year's Ebor meeting and has twice been runner-up since over that same trip. Pedigree suggests that the drop back to the minimum trip is not certain to suit, though she looks sure to be trying. Folkestone maiden winner Tomintoul Singer was not up to Listed class at Bath last time but should appreciate the switch to this conditions race, and she won't mind the ground. Etzeyaaz drops back from two wins at 7f to this much shorter distance on his first start for Richard Fahey after leaving Kevin Prendergast. He has so far encountered only soft or heavy ground, and whether he will have the toe for such a sharp trip looks doubtful. Tawaabb is top-rated on official figures and went well in Group 3 company at Ascot in October. The Kyllachy colt recorded his sole success on good ground and should go very well, but he looks vulnerable to Duchess Dora. John Quinn's filly has won four times, including once on good ground, at Sandown last month. She went close to following-up at Chester last time, and remains in good form, and with Johnny Murtagh an eyecatching booking we will give her the nod.
Ejteyaaz 8-15fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, travelling well in 3rd approaching straight, ridden 2f out, gained narrow lead inside final furlong, kept on well, all out, won at Tipperary 7f 2yo mdn in Jul beating Andantino (9-3) by shd, 12 ran.
Fratellino 5-2 (9-5) Led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept battling away, rallied well inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 7, shd behind Duchess Dora (8-12) at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Living It Large (FR) 11-4 (9-7) Slowly into stride, recovered to lead after 1f, ridden and headed just over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Yer Woman (8-13) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-90 (4) pol in Nov.
Secret Millionaire (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Held up in touch far side group, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 22, 8l behind Lucky Like (8-6) at Redcar 6f Lstd auc stks (1) gf in Oct.
Tawaabb 16-1 (9-0) In touch, effort over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 17, 3l behind Our Jonathan (9-0) at Ascot 5f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Midnight Martini 4-1 (9-1) Raced keenly, led 1f, with winner, outpaced when not much room 2f out, challenged well over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on and every chance until no extra near finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Jack My Boy (8-1) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Duchess Dora (IRE) 3-1 (9-1) Led, hard ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 1 1/4l behind Archers Road (9-4) at Chester 5f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gs.
Rose Blossom 5-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear on far side of group, hung left and racing alone over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 13, 12l behind Prescription (9-3) at Nottingham 6f fll lst stks (1) gd.
Tomintoul Singer (IRE) 11-4 (8-4) Chased leaders, headway halfway, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 7l behind Gilt Edge Girl (9-0) at Bath 5f fll lst stks (1) fm in Apr.
