prominent, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, drew clear in final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
mid-division, pushed along over 5f out, stayed on to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on, no impression
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out
Sir Michael Stoute has an exemplary record with fillies that stay in training and he looks to have found Celtique a good opportunity to reverse last season's form with Thakafaat, who is respected but has a little bit to find on these terms. Innocent Splendour could have more to offer and, along with Kindling, is worth watching for next time. Tcherina won on soft ground at Haydock last September and created the impression that this trip would not be a problem for her. However, she was well beaten on her reappearance and now has something to prove. Especially when the claims of Celtique are taken into consideration. The half-sister to Top Romance looked to be in need of further when she was just touched off at Lingfield on her final start as a two-year-old. And was sensibly put away; presumably to help protect her mark rising any further. Today's extra distance and the 2lb she receives from Thakafaat are very much in her favour and Celtique is fancied to put the record straight now that she is another year down the line.
Thakafaat (IRE) 11-1 Close up, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 12l behind Danehill Willy at Newmarket 1m 2yo hcp 0-95 (C2) sft in Oct.
Celtique 2-1fav Raced wide, headway to track leaders after 2f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, nk behind Allied Cause at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn fll (D3) pol in Oct.
Musical Day 66-1 Chased leaders over 5f, last of 10, 26l behind Vista Bella at Kempton 1m 3yo lst fll gs in Mar.
Innocent Splendour 4-1 Behind, ridden 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 7th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Something Exciting at Goodwood 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (D2) gd in Sept.
Kindling 16-1 Switched to race centre over 8f out, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 15, 9l behind Blaise Hollow at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp gf.
Tcherina (IRE) 33-1 Slowly into stride and behind, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Secret History at Ripon 1m 3yo hcp hvy.
Kalmini (USA) 33-1 In mid-division, driven along and no impression final 2f, 12th of 17, 8l behind Something Exciting at Goodwood 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (D2) gd in Sept.
Sand Fairy (IRE) 7-2co-fav Keen, close up, ridden and one pace final 2f, 5th of 10, 3l behind Im Spartacus at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (D3) pol in Nov.
