Verdict
Shamardal Phantom has recorded both wins to date over longer distances though she hasn't raced over today's trip since her debut and should have the measure of Very Well Red once again. Epernay failed to land the odds the odds at Carlisle last time after winning at the same track before that, while Miss Bootylishes just missed out over C&D recently and has gone back up in the weights as a result. However, Walter Swinburn won this event last year and a chance is taken that MADONNA DELL'ORTO could repeat the feat on her handicap and seasonal debut having shown plenty of promise in maidens as a three-year-old.
Formwatch
Madonna Dell'orto 3-1 (9-0) Led, 2 lengths ahead and travelling well 2f out, soon ridden, headed and no extra final 150 yards, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Calipatria (9-0) at Sandown 1m 3yo fll mdn (5) gf in Aug.
Shamardal Phantom (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up in 5th, headway over 2f out going well, led entering final furlong, kept on, won at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Very Well Red (9-7) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Very Well Red 7-1 (9-7) Prominent, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 8l behind Kenyan Cat (9-5) at Chester 1m 2f fll hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Miss Bootylishes 16-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, just held, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Rustic Deacon (9-4) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Cat Hunter 8-1 (8-13) Pulled hard in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 33l behind Russian Rave (9-1) at Leicester 7f flls hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
Epernay 4-5fav (9-1) Held up, headway over 2f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Sinatramania (8-4) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in May.
Leelu 8-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Nahab (9-12) at Lingfield 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in May.
Hippique 33-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 17l behind Polar Annie (8-13) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Duquesa (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Held up behind, pushed along over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 2l behind Zamina (8-13) at Windsor 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gs.
Arctic Maiden 40-1 (8-6) Mid-division, not clear run and switched left over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 15, 8l behind El Wasmi (9-7) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.