Cladocera won this for France last year but Malka, who has produced several good runs there and in Germany but hasn't won since 2013, will need to improve to follow suit though her compatriot Si Luna should do much better. She won a Group 3 at Saint-Cloud in November though her best runs have come on ground with plenty of give. More Aspen gained her first victory on Turf when landing a tough handicap here three weeks ago and deserves this step-up in grade. A strict line of form through runner-up Big Baz gives her the edge over Godolphin's VERY SPECIAL but the latter looks as though she's been kept back for this and with only five starts behind her has the scope to gain her third success. Icecapada has failed here in the past and Excilly was behind More Aspen last time. Almashooqa, runner-up in a Group 1 juvenile race at Greyville last summer, never got involved on her debut here last month but expect huge improvement with that under her belt.
Excilly 14-1 (8-8) 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind More Aspen (8-9) at Meydan 1m 1f lst stks gf in Jan.
Almashooqa (AUS) (9-4) 6th of 8, 19l behind Polar River (8-8) at Meydan 7f fll stks fst in Jan.
Malka (FR) (8-11) 9th of 16, 4 1/4l behind Caointiorn (8-11) at Deauville 7f lst stks gd in Dec.
Icecapada (IRE) (8-13) won at Taby 1m 4f lst stks (1) gd in Oct beating Amie Noire (9-4) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Si Luna (GER) 7-2jfav (8-12) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 3 stks hvy in Nov beating Bourree (8-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
More Aspen (USA) 11-1 (8-9) won at Meydan 1m 1f lst stks gf in Jan beating Big Baz (9-0) by 1l, 8 ran.
Very Special (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, lost place over 2f out, soon outpaced, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, chased winner final 50 yards, no impression, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Big Baz (9-4) at Kempton 1m lst stks (1) pol in Nov.
