held up in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon under pressure, hard ridden inside final furlong, just held on
led, joined halfway, headed approaching 4f out, weakened approaching 3f out
tracked leader and keen, disputed lead halfway, led approaching 4f out, headed over 2f out, rallied and every chance inside final furlong, held near finish
tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out
always behind, weakened over 2f out
Favourites have won four of the last six runnings of the Middleton but with just three serious contenders this renewal has a particularly trappy look to it and on the weight she receives plus the fact that she is the BHA's top-rated runner here we suggest DAR RE MI to have the edge over Crystal Capella. The selection was third behind Lush Lashes over course and distance in last season's Musidora before going on to win a Group 3 at Deauville and subsequently come home behind her York conqueror in Newmarket's running of the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks. All of that is very smart form in the context of this race, and she is proven on fast ground. The concern is this shorter trip, but at least Frankie Dettori can do something about that and ride her to make it a test. John Gosden has his string in superb form, although the stats show that just lately Sir Michael Stoute has an even better strike rate, fuelling confidence for those taking on the selection with Crystal Capella. This Cape Cross filly took three attempts to break her maiden tag, but has not seen another rival since, winning five off the reel at both 10 and 12 furlongs. A winner of the Group 2 Pride Stakes at Newmarket when last seen out in October, she has been put up 10lb by the assessor since and as one who does not appear to have stopped progressing she looks a very serious danger today. Conversely, Changing Skies has just one win from eight, and although many of Sadler's Wells' progeny go on fast ground, and she does look more suited by this trip than the leading duo, her form suggests that she would prefer some cut. A win for either of the other pair would be a sizeable shock, and Dar Re Mi gets the marginal vote.
Crystal Capella 4-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, chased leader 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly approaching final furlong, soon hung right, driven and all out, won at Newmarket 1m 4f fll stks G2 (1) gd in Oct beating Unsung Heroine (8-10) by hd, 8 ran.
Changing Skies (IRE) (9-2) 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Sanjida (9-2) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 2f stk in Oct.
Dar Re Mi 6-4fav (8-7) Prominent, led briefly over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Balladeuse (8-7) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f fll stks G2 (1) gd in Oct.
Princess Taylor 11-2 (9-9) In touch, led over 2f out, driven over 1f out, edged left under pressure and kept on final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 10, ns behind Faldal (8-1) at Pontefract 1m 2f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Rio Guru (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden along when squeezed for room and hampered over 2f out, not recovered, 9th of 10, 14l behind Faldal (8-1) at Pontefract 1m 2f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
