held up behind leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up, pushed along and not much room over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, no chance with winner
chased leaders to halfway
slowly into stride, behind and pushed along halfway, was never near to challenge
made all, led steady pace, quickened over 2f out, ran on well final furlong
in touch, effort 2f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
prominent, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden 2f out, soon outpaced
Fillies' handicaps are rarely straightforward but we like the look of Officer's Pink here over Favour, Just One Smile, Miss Chicaf and Bint Royal. The selection is two pounds better off for the short head that she finished behind Favour at Leicester last October and, entitled to be improving, looks set to play a leading part in this race. Trained by Paul Cole, she also probably has the physical scope to achieve further improvement. Consensus has shown little since winning at Newcastle last April but is now a pound-lower in the ratings than when achieving that success, while Favour keeps edging up the handicap for getting beaten but, lightly raced, should have better to come. Tapau comes here fit but is four-pounds higher in the ratings than for her Kempton win in June. Just One Smile also comes here fit and has form enough to be competitive from her current mark, although she is arguably better at seven furlongs. Miss Chicaf also has the benefit of a run behind her and her second to Mr Wolf last time was not a bad effort. Bint Royal is just a pound higher in the ratings now than for her most recent Turf win, so that gives her claims, but the remainder have something to prove today. Overall, then in a tricky but interesting affair, we will go for Officer's Pink.
