held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up towards rear, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up mid-division, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, late headway inside final furlong, took 4th towards finish
led early, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, weakened over 2f out
soon led, under pressure over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well
With Gertrude Bell having won the Cheshire Oaks earlier in the month, the formlines linking SHIMMERING SURF and Giant's Play are difficult to ignore; the former is worth a shot at the prices and just edges the verdict as the one to be with on this occasion; Aalaya and Scorn may be the best of the rest. Scorn showed plenty of promise at Newmarket at the back-end of last season when she finished second to a classy filly with a Coronation Stakes entry. A handicap rather than Royal Ascot might be a more realistic route for this daughter of Seeking The Gold, but she is an interesting type that should be followed whatever happens today. Aalaya also appears to be a work in progress but can be expected to start paying her way as she gains in experience. Time may tell that Giant's Play was set a very stiff test as the favourite on her final start as a juvenile. But she did enough to suggest her intuitive trainer has another willing team member on his hands. It's unlikely that she will be allowed to slip under the radar in the betting but she still has to be high on the shortlist in this company. However, Shimmering Surf, who split Timepiece and Getrude Bell in a Lingfield maiden last October; has a very similar profile to Sir Michael Stoute's filly and, as such, she shouldn't be underestimated; especially as the step up in trip is sure to suit her on breeding.
Aalya (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, shaken up over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 7, 11l behind Tactician (9-3) at Newbury 1m 3f 3yo mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Balatoma (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon recovered to chase leaders, weakened 2f out, 9th of 14, 11l behind Funky Lady (9-0) at Newbury 7f 3yo fll mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Banco Busto (IRE) 200-1 (9-0) Dwelt, always towards rear, 10th of 15, 23l behind Marie De Medici (9-0) at Leicester 7f 2yo stks (4) gf in Oct.
Giants Play (USA) 2-1fav (9-0) Held up mid-division, kept on from over 1f out, 4th of 21, 3l behind Modeyra (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo stks (4) gd in Oct.
Island Dreams (USA) Giant's Causeway filly out of Camanoe.
Nabari (JPN) Symboli Kris S filly out of Suzuka Colors.
Never Can Tell (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) Behind, pushed along 5f out, headway and in touch 4f out, one pace final 2f, 7th of 11, 21l behind Awsaal (9-3) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gs.
Scorn (USA) 3-1 (9-0) Led, pushed along inside final 2f, ridden and headed entering final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Field Day (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gd in Oct.
Shimmering Surf (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Chased winner, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression inside final furlong, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Timepiece (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn fll (4) pol in Oct.
Sycamore Hill Lando filly out of Samara.
