chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, pushed along and not quickened 3 out, stayed on same pace after
held up in touch, smooth headway to track leader 2f out, hard ridden to lead well inside final furlong, driven out
pulled hard, held up, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, headway 2f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, no impression and lost 3rd inside final furlong
prominent over 4f
settled in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong
pressed leader over 4f
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
raced on outer, in rear, brief effort 3f out, eased when no chance final furlong
Gonfilia, second in this last year, is poised to go one better at the expense of Ruby Rocket, Attune and Lucky Spin. The fact that Godolphin have kept Gonfilia in training as a five-year-old speaks volumes, and she is sure to be well placed this season. This time last year she was beaten by Illustrious Miss who went on to be placed in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, but she gained some compensation by landing the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom in June, for which she now carries a four-pound penalty. However, she is sure to have been well tuned up and does not take much getting ready anyway, so is the one to beat. Ruby Rocket will come on for her return in Listed company at Newmarket, but she is a six-furlong horse really, while Attune may find the ground too soft and is another that makes the leap from Listed class. Lucky Spin has been off since September and was found out when put into Group company last term. She is a course and distance winner here though and may make a bold show along with Improvise and Nufoos. Gonfilia is the class act here though and can pay to follow.
Attune 16-1 Speed over 4f, 10th of 13, 20l behind Polar Ben at Newmarket 1m Grp 3 (A1) gd in Oct.
Coqueteria (USA) 40-1 Went right start, held up in rear, never troubled leaders, 8th of 11, 8l behind Le Vie Dei Colori at Leicester 7f lst stk gs in Apr.
Lucky Spin 10-1 Tracked leaders, led well over 1f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Royal Storm at Newbury 7f lst stk (A1) gf in Sept.
Malvern Light 25-1 Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Peeress at Newmarket 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (B) gf in Jul.
Ruby Rocket (IRE) 5-1 Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 10, 5l behind Quito at Newmarket 6f lst stk gf in Apr.
Three Secrets (IRE) 66-1 Keen, led, headed over 7f out, remained in touch, ridden and weakened 3f out, last of 9, 33l behind Tarfah at Newmarket 1m 1f fll stk Grp 3 gf.
Voile (IRE) 16-1 Took keen hold in touch, weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Miss George at Lingfield 1m lst fll stk (A1) pol in Oct.
Improvise 9-1 Broke well, held up in touch, not much room and lost place 5f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 7, 7l behind Tucker at Newmarket 7f 3yo stk gf in Apr.
Nufoos 6-4fav With leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon every chance, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Turnkey at Leicester 6f 3yo stk sft in Apr.
Valentin (IRE) 12-1 Held up towards rear, under pressure over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 8l behind Suez at Salisbury 6f 2yo lst fll (A1) gd in Sept.
Gonfilia (GER) 2-1fav Close up, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Redcar 7f lst stk (A1) gf in Oct beating Twilight Blues by 2l, 10 ran.
