awkwardly away, behind, lost touch 4f out, never dangerous
mid-division, effort on inside to chase leaders over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, weakened final furlong
went right start and slowly into stride, behind, driven 5f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced well over 3f out, soon lost place, ridden and kept on under pressure from over 1f out, no impression
mid-division, outpaced 3f out, ridden over 1f out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon outpaced, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
made all, ridden clear when hung right over 1f out, stayed on strongly, comfortably
tracked winner, ridden and outpaced when edged left 2f out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd inside final furlong
OPERA GAL deserves to get off the mark and can do so at the expense of Sensationally and Invitee, although more can be expected from Willing Foe and he too is considered. Andrew Balding's filly is rated 79 having had five starts without winning and that rating would appear to reflect her level of ability. When last seen she took fourth over further in a handicap that has worked out, with the horse immediately in front of her placing in Group Three company and the one right behind winning a handicap off 81 recently. Ground conditions appear ideal and there are no reservations about the drop in trip nor her attitude, and we're hopeful she can make it sixth time lucky. Sensationally is royally bred and shaped well on her debut so it was disappointing that she was unable to win last time, when narrowly denied at Bath. However this slight drop in trip will suit on breeding and she should win a maiden sooner rather than later. Invitee has filled fourth on both her visits to the track and does need to improve to win, but she ran well enough at Lingfield last time and indications are she gets the trip despite slight doubts cast by her pedigree; connections will be keen to get a win out of her. Willing Foe is a half-brother to Ribblesdale winner Michita and was backed as though defeat were out of the question on debut, so his performance at Wolverhampton has to be rated most disappointing. However, he should have improved for a winter on his back and the yard are going much better now, so his chance cannot be ignored with the switch to turf and step up in trip also likely to provide assistance. My Galway Man needs a market check as a newcomer whose modest dam is a half-sister to a Coronation Stakes winner but he'll need to be decent to beat Opera Gal on debut, who remains our idea of the winner.
Pound Lane (IRE) 100-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, weakened over 3f out, 15th of 16, 38l behind Thabit (9-12) at Haydock 1m mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Stitchnick (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 6f out until 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 27l behind Maggie Aron (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Jun.
Defence Of Realm (GER) 100-1 (9-3) Restless in stalls, held up last, pushed along over 1f out, headway final furlong, never near leaders, 7th of 11, 10l behind Point Out (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Jun.
My Galway Man (IRE) Danehill Dancer colt out of Dream Valley.
Invitee 13-2 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 5, 2 1/2l behind Anacopa (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo fll stks (5) gf in Jun.
Jewellery (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Dwelt, in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 33l behind Bay Willow (9-3) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May.
Opera Gal (IRE) 16-1 (7-12) Keen early, tracked leaders, driven 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final 2f, no impression, 4th of 15, 7l behind Harris Tweed (8-3) at Musselburgh 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Sensationally 8-11fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, chased winner 8f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, ran on, just failed, 2nd of 4, ns behind Miss Miracle (8-8) at Bath 1m 4f mdn stks (5) fm in Jun.
Willing Foe (USA) Evensfav (9-3) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, no impression after, 6th of 12, 6l behind Powerful Melody (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Jinn And Tinick 100-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 23l behind Court Circle (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
