held up, headway over 5f out, driven over 3f out, ridden when weakening approaching final furlong
tracked leader, headway to challenge winner over 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, effort over 3f out, never reached challenging position
held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
made all, led steady pace, quickened over 4f out, pushed out final furlong
prominent, driven over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
headed at start, took keen hold in rear, never a factor
Red Bloom has every chance at the weights and Sir Michael Stoute's mare has to be respected if fit enough for her return but the daughter of Selkirk may not find it easy under her penalty so preference is for Mango Mischief, who gets the vote ahead of Portrayal. The selection has the benefit of a previous run this term having run an encouraging third behind Violet Park at Newmarket earlier this month and, with most of John Dunlop's horses improving significantly for their first outing of the season, there is every reason to believe that there is plenty more to come from Mango Mischief. Karl Burke's Umthoulah did everything asked of her when winning her only start at two and she could be of interest under ground conditions that should suit. Strawberry Dale has ability but needs to improve to trouble the judge and of more interest would be Portrayal, although the general form of Godolphin's string remains of concern. There are no such problems with John Dunlop's runners at present though so Mango Mischief gets the vote.
Red Bloom 11-2 (9-2) Prominent, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, no extra close home, 6th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Kinnaird (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Mango Mischief (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Soon led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, every chance when hampered inside final furlong, no extra near finish, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Violet Park (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f fll stk Grp 3 (1) sft.
Ma'am (USA) 25-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, good headway from 2f out, strong run inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr beating Cross The Line (9-4) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Portrayal (USA) 7-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newmarket 1m 2f lst fll stk (1) sft in Oct beating Royal Alchemist (8-9) by 2l, 11 ran.
Strawberry Dale (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Made all, driven over 2f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 2f lst fll stk (1) hvy in Nov beating Whazzat (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Tarandot (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Prominent, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 17th of 21, well behind Come On Jonny (8-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-110 (2) hvy in Nov.
Umthoulah (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, ran on to lead post, won at Chester 1m 4f mdn fll (5) gf in Aug beating Estrelle (8-9) by a shd, 7 ran.
