tracked leading pair until over 4f out, weakened 2f out
held up well in rear, pushed along as pace quickened over 4f out, driven and beaten 2f out
held up tracking leading trio, went 3rd over 4f out, closed to 2nd travelling well approaching final 2f, quickened to lead over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, easily
held up in last pair, pushed along 3f out, headway under pressure and hung left from over 2f out, soon no impression
led set strong pace and soon clear, reduced lead over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened to 4th approaching final furlong
took keen hold early and held up in 5th, headway between horses 2f out, stayed on to one paced 3rd approaching final furlong, no impression
tracked clear leader, closed over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, not pace of winner, stayed on for clear 2nd
Venus de Milo didn't need to be at her best to pick up a Group 3 last time. The Ballydoyle filly was more impressive when runner-up in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh before that with Scintillula and Riposte not far behind. However, that form has already taken a knock and the English version isn't working out any better as Secret Gesture, runner-up in the Oaks at Epsom, has since been beaten in what looked a modest Group 1 event in Germany. Tom Queally prefers Wild Coco to Riposte though the former is unproven at this level and Lancashire Oaks winner Emirates Queen also steps up in class. The latter just got the better of Moment In Time at Haydock but both have been beaten since and Group 1 winner THE FUGUE looks the safest bet. Narrowly beaten in last year's renewal, she's been unfortunate to come up against Al Kazeem in both outings so far this season but is fancied to bounce back and land the spoils today.
Emirates Queen (9-8) 3rd of 10 La Pomme D'amour (9-4) at Deauville(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gd.
Moment In Time (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened and eased, 10th of 14, 11l behind Winsili (8-11) at Goodwood 1m 2f flls Grp 1 (1) gd.
The Fugue 5-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, held up in 5th on outside, ridden and no progress over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 7, 13l behind Al Kazeem (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
Riposte 9-4fav (9-0) Soon prominent at ordinary pace, almost on terms from 5f out, ridden to challenge from over 2f out, soon every chance, no extra and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Chicquita (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
Scintillula (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Soon led, strongly pressed early straight and headed 2f out, soon no impression on winner and no extra in 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 5l behind Maputo (9-0) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Secret Gesture 5-4fav (9-2) 2nd of 16 Penelopa (9-2) at Dusseldorf(GER) 1m 3f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gd.
Venus de Milo (IRE) 1-4fav (8-13) Soon led and made most, shaken up 2f out and ridden to quicken clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Cork 1m 4f flls Group 3 stks (1) gd beating Bunairgead (8-12) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Wild Coco (GER) 5-6fav (9-5) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Goodwood 1m 6f flls Group 3 stks (1) gd beating Elik (8-6) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
