raced alone towards stands side, prominent with centre group until 3f out
raced centre, held up in rear, pushed along halfway, headway to lead center group 2f out, kept on but no chance with far side
raced centre, in touch, led center group 3f out, headed 2f out, soon weakened
raced far side, chased leading pair throughout, kept on one pace final furlong
raced far side, chased leader, led over 2f out and overall leader, ridden and ran on
steadied start, raced far side until switched to join centre group over 6f out, held up, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong, not reached leading trio
raced far side, led and overall leader, heade4d over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
led centre group, six lengths down from far side group, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
raced centre, chased leader, led center group over 3f out, soon headed and weakened
raced centre, held up, weakened over 3f out, heavily eased over 2f out
Virginia Waters is taken to turn Leopardstown tables on Chic to land another Group 1 success, with Favourable Terms, Maids Causeway, Peeress and Musicanna all making for an interesting renewal. Some of the gloss has been taken off this year's contest with Attraction now retired, but connections of Chic, runner-up last year, will be pretty confident that she can take over the mantle. Sir Michael Stoute's filly was not beaten far 12 months ago, and of course had the misfortune to play second fiddle to Attraction yet again when second in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown last time. It has to be said that Christophe Soumillon overdid the waiting tactics that day and she was the moral winner. With Ryan Moore back in the saddle, she should run a big race. However, we feel that it is worth taking her on with Virginia Waters who was only half-a-length away in third after returning from a short break. Aidan O'Brien reckons that he has her back to the sort of form that saw her land the 1,000 Guineas in May, and Kieren Fallon is looking forward to the ride. She should hold Maids Causeway on that form and will make Chic pull out all the stops if truly on song. Nassau Stakes heroine Favourable Terms showed her well being with a Listed victory at Doncaster but has more to do, while Peeress, third to Soviet Song in the Falmouth Stakes, may just do enough to be placed. Musicanna has done nothing wrong this term but this is the acid test, and we will happily row in with Virginia Waters to carry the flag for the three-year-old age group.
Attune 6-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Echelon (8-11) at Newmarket 7f lst fll stk (1) gd in Sept.
Chic 11-4fav (9-2) Held up in rear, brought wide entering straight, headway 2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Attraction (9-2) at Leopardstown 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) gf in Sept.
Favourable Terms 5-6fav (8-10) Held up, headway 2f out, led 1f out, soon quickened clear, won at Doncaster 7f lst fll stk (1) gd in Sept beating Nufoos (8-9) by 2l, 9 ran.
Musicanna 7-4 (9-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway, brought to race against stands' rail straight, led 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Sandown 1m lst fll stk (1) sft in Aug beating Golden Island (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Peeress 4-1 (9-1) Led 1f, led again over 5f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Soviet Song (9-1) at Newmarket 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Shapira (GER) (9-1) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Divine Proportions (8-7) at Deauville 1m fll stks Grp 1 gs in Jul.
Summitville 5-1 (9-5) Soon led, ridden entering straight, headed over 1 1/2f out, 4th and no extra final furlong, 4th of 10, 5l behind Chelsea Rose (8-13) at Curragh 1m 1f lst stk gd in Sept.
Maids Causeway (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Prominent, led halfway, ridden over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, won at York 1m 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun beating Karen's Caper (9-0) by a shd, 10 ran.
Penkenna Princess (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, brief effort and ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 5l behind Alexander Goldrun (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) gs in Jul.
Virginia Waters (USA) 5-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, 3rd 3f out, moderate 2nd and ridden straight, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Attraction (9-2) at Leopardstown 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) gf in Sept.
