led, 5 lengths clear halfway, hard driven when challenged over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, led entering final furlong, drew clear, impressive
tracked leader, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, never reached winner
held up in rear, headway when not clear run over 1f out, switched right, never a threat
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1, soon every chance, weakened close home
Three-year-olds don’t have great record in this but it’s hard to ignore the chances of PURE DIAMOND (NAP) on these terms. The Godolphin filly won a Listed event at Meydan by four lengths last month and can make the most of a weight advantage up against older rivals today. There looks little between the latter group at the weights but Volunteer Point has been in fine form on the all-weather while Black Cherry went close in pattern company at the end of last season and is closely matched with Blond Me on running at Sandown. Military Angel has been placed on numerous occasions at this level in Ireland and could go well but the remaining pair look up against it.
Black Cherry 8-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Solar Magic (9-2) at Newmarket 1m lst fll stks (1) gd in Sep.
Blond Me (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Off slow, bottled up, 6th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Her Emmynency (8-9) at Keeneland 1m 1f stks (1) gd in Oct.
Military Angel (USA) 11-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along over 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra, 6th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Queen Blossom (8-9) at Curragh 1m Grp 3 fll stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Mothers Finest (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Close up, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Solar Magic (9-2) at Newmarket 1m lst fll stks (1) gd in Sep.
Oakley Girl 15-8fav (9-10) Close up, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Abbey Angel (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp fll (2) pol in Feb.
Volunteer Point (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Held up, rapid headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ridden inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 9, hd behind Kyllachy Queen (9-0) at Kempton 1m lst fll stks (1) pol in Apr.
Pure Diamond (8-5) won at Meydan 7f lst stks (1) gf in Mar beating Comicas (8-9) by 4 1/2l, 0 ran.