chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, hung left and stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
led, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on never trouble leaders
slow into stride, soon in touch, ridden, hung left inside final furlong, ran on to lead near finish
held up mid-division, improved 2f out, led 1f out, ridden and headed near finish
mid-division, pushed along half way, never dangerous
held up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Ela Paparouna won nicely at Newbury earlier this month when making all over seven furlongs but, along with David Barron's Lamh Eile, she has yet to prove her effectiveness over a mile and preference is for Little Venice, with Musicanna rated the best of the remainder. The selection had the misfortune to come up against the well-handicapped Banba at Thirsk last time and is probably better judged on previous form that includes a win over course and distance last term. With ground conditions to suit Chris Wall's mare for the first time this term, the five-year-old is taken to beat her younger rivals. It is never easy for the classic generation against older horses at this time of year and Ed Dunlop's Ghurra is another of the three-year-olds that may struggle, while the four-year-old Desert Cristal may need another run to put her spot on. There should be no such problems for Little Venice though and she gets the vote.
Three Secrets (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Prominent over 4f, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 14l behind Lucky Spin (9-3) at Lingfield 7f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gd in May.
Desert Cristal (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 5l behind Red Spell (8-11) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) gd in May.
Little Venice (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (10-0) Tracked leader, led 5f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 8, 6l behind Banba (8-12) at Thirsk 1m hcp (4) gf.
Lamh Eile (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Behind, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Mineral Star (8-4) at York 7f 3yo hcp (3) gs in May.
Ela Paparouna 13-2 (9-8) Made all, ridden, pressed inside 2f out, driven, in command inside final furlong, drew away final 120 yards, won at Newbury 7f fll hcp (5) gf beating Future Deal (9-1) by 2l, 9 ran.
Ghurra (USA) 9-2fav (8-12) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression on leaders until ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 14, 5l behind Sky Crusader (8-7) at Epsom 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Musicanna 5-2fav (8-9) Held up, headway and edged left over 3f out, ridden and switched right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Haydock 1m mdn stk (D3) hvy in Sept beating Foolish Groom (9-0) by 2l, 17 ran.
Clinet (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) In rear, late headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 11, 6l behind Desert Chief (9-0) at Sandown 1m 3yo stk 0-80 (4) gf.
Royal Jelly 8-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 6th of 14, 7l behind Love Affair (8-5) at Nottingham 1m 3yo fll hcp (4) gs.
Verbier (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden halfway, soon weakened, last of 13, 17l behind Bolton Hall (8-10) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.