chased leader, clear of the remainder, led before straight, soon clear, stayed on well
soon chased leaders off the pace, in pursuit of winner but no impression from over 2f out, lost place and no extra final furlong, kept on same pace
led and clear of remainer with eventual winner, headed before straight, soon weakened and eased from over 1f out
soon well off pace towards rear, no impression straight, eased from over 1f out
soon raced in moderate 3rd, niggled along in moderate 4th approaching 4f out, pushed along into straight, soon 3rd again and no impression, kept on without troubling winner final furlong
waited with, soon well off the pace, moderate 7th approaching straight, switched towards outer from 2f out, moderate 6th over 1f out, ran on without threatening final furlong
soon chased leaders off the pace, moderate 5th approaching straight, moderate 4th on outer over 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out
waited with towards rear, well off the pace, improved into moderate 5th travelling well over 2f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out
Raiders from the UK have won this five times in the last ten years and hold a very strong hand this time. Shirocco Star is undoubtedly the form pick but her record of one victory in twelve starts tells a story. She's been regularly placed at Group 1 and 2 level but disappointed at Warwick last time and is overlooked. HOT SNAP has only run four times, landing a Newmarket Group 3 on her second run and producing excellent efforts at the highest level in both subsequent starts. Her close third behind Winsili in the Nassau Stakes was particularly impressive as she didn't get the best of runs and can gain compensation here. Purr Along is the third of the raiders and by no means the least fancied as she's another who has been competing with distinction at the highest level. Alive Alive Oh leads the home contingent and she could hardly have been more impressive when slamming Magical Dream in a Listed contest at Navan in May.
Belle de Crecy (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 4th 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind The United States (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Princess Highway (USA) 7-2 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden in 7th 2 1/2f out, no impression from 1 1/2f out, 7th of 9, 7l behind Ambivalent (9-10) at Curragh 1m 2f flls Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Shirocco Star 10-11fav (8-11) Raced keenly tracking leaders, every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Cameron Highland (9-2) at Windsor 1m 4f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Aug.
Alive Alive Oh 11-10fav (9-0) Held up behind leaders, travelling well in 4th 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, stayed on strongly and quickened smartly final furlong, impressive, won at Navan 1m 2f 3yo lst fll (1) in May beating Magical Dream (9-3) by 6l, 7 ran.
Hot Snap 5-1 (8-11) Dwelt, held up mid-division, outpaced well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Winsili (8-11) at Goodwood 1m 2f flls Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Magical Dream (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon chased leaders on inner, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 14l behind La Collina (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m flls Grp 1 (1) gd.
Pearl Of Africa (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Held up in 6th, ridden 2f out, moderate 5th 1f out, kept on well final furlong to go 2nd close home, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Say (9-0) at Curragh 1m 1f flls Group 3 stks (1) gf.
Purr Along 4-1 (8-13) 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Tasaday (8-13) at Deauville(FR) 1m 2f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Aug.
