held up in touch, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace
led at steady pace, ridden over 3f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led 3f out, hung right over 1f out, ridden out
in touch, ridden to challenge winner over 2f out, kept on one pace
dwelt, pulled hard and held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
Jeu d'Esprit is given the vote over Surdoue and Starcross Maid in the finale. Jeu d'Esprit went off at odds of 12-1 on her return from a seven-month break here just over a fortnight ago, but belied those odds by cracking out and making all of the running. She was given a great ride by Tom Queally who quickened and slowed the pace down to his advantage on the filly, who left the impression that there is more to come now that she has got her head in front. Similar tactics should suffice today, despite the fact that she carries a penalty and is the youngest in the line-up. Surdoue and Starcross Maid are very closely matched on their last meeting here 10-days ago, when the latter prevailed by just a neck. The winner shoulders a 6lb anchor here, and that is well enough for Surdoue to turn the tables. Even so, he and the rest will do well to peg the selection back, if as expected, James Given's filly is quickly away from the stalls again, and Jeu d'Esprit gets a confident vote.
Kylkenny 17-2 (9-0) Pullled hard, close up, led over 4f out, headed over 3f out, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 9, 19l behind Jackie Kiely (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr.
Jeu d'Esprit (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Made all, quickened over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Southwell 1m 3f fll hcp (4) fbs beating Brastar Jelois (8-5) by 1l, 6 ran.
Newtonian (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, joined leader 6f out, led briefly over 3f out, soon riddden, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 6l behind Starcross Maid (8-7) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Starcross Maid 11-2 (8-7) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leader 2f out, driven to lead narrowly inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs beating Surdoue (8-4) by a nk, 7 ran.
Go Free 6-1 (9-0) Started slowly, took keen hold in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Debbie (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol in Feb '06.
Surdoue 20-1 (8-4) In touch, joined leaders 4f out, ridden to lead 3f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 7, nk behind Starcross Maid (8-7) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
