The first big sprint for the Classic generation saw one of last season’s star juveniles, Venetian Sun, enjoy another Group 1 success. The winner wasn’t as good here as she was on softer conditions at Haydock prior, but she produced enough to hold off Spicy Marg, by a “cosy” head. The field raced largely up the centre of the track, with a good early pace and a finishing speed percentage for the final two furlongs of 99.57%. Interestingly, four of the first five home were fillies.
may not have been in love with the conditions, but still emerged victorious here, winning her second Group 1. She always travelled well, nearer the pace than at Haydock, but ultimately raced quite efficiently with sectionals close enough to par. She possibly hit the front earlier than ideal and softer ground may see her produce a better level, but she was always doing enough.
produced a big effort in defeat, stepping forward significantly from her previous best. She closed the gap on Venetian Sun from Haydock, perhaps helped by the winner lowering her level slightly, but this was certainly an improvement from the daughter of Starspangledbanner.
is a horse I have a soft spot for, and he did well from his low draw here. Held up much longer here than at Haydock, he was seen to better effect coming late off a strong pace. He never really looked like getting to the front pair but hit the line hardest of all to get within three-quarters of a length.
travelled really strongly, possibly even better than the winner, but didn’t find near as much off the bridle when asked for effort. The stiff finish at the end of a truly run six furlongs found her out, and her final split showed signs of tiredness. I think she could possibly benefit from dropping back to the minimum, or at least an easier six furlongs.
produced her best effort this season here, shaping better than the result too as she went hard in front (as she tends to). She got tired in the final furlong but that is understandable considering her early pace.
tracked the winner through the race but couldn’t go with her as the race developed and faded in the final furlong or so.
was prominent early and looked to be laying down a challenge in the penultimate furlong but couldn’t sustain his effort into the final furlong.
won his race on the stands side and while that would have been good enough overall for most of the week, he was no match for the centre group here.
outran his odds, coming from a long way back on the far side of the centre group, and staying on late to finish a respectable ninth.
was on the pace near side, but they were always behind the centre group and he was never in contention for outright honours.
challenged on the far side of the centre group in the penultimate furlong and was in the mix hitting the furlong marker but weakened from that point home.
raced near side too. He was ever so briefly short of room outside the furlong pole but got tired soon after.
was held up in rear on the near side and never got involved.
continues to disappoint, and this was no better than previous efforts this season.
led the near side group early but hung right and weakened from over a furlong out.
raced near side in first-time blinkers and while he travelled reasonably to a point, he never landed a blow.
never got involved to any real extent up the centre.
was very keen early on and paid the price later in the contest.
raced near side and was one of the first horses beaten having been under pressure from halfway.
was hampered badly over a furlong out but was weakening at the time.
was always towards the rear.
raced on the near side but was beaten before the race even developed.
