Expert Analysis

Not always the strongest of European fillies’ classics but it was up to standard this year, very much so in terms of its winner, who remains unbeaten this season and who stamped her authority on this when it mattered. Despite a few going more freely than ideal early, the sectionals show this was a largely well-run race, with a close-to-par 101.6% finishing speed from the winner and third and fifth deserving just small upgrades.

BLUE ROSE CEN (112+ here and previously) made it 3 out of 3 this year with another classy performance, just too good for some useful rivals without quite doing enough to say for sure that she will mix it with the best of the other sex and older age-group, which may not happen for a while yet anyway. She tracked her stable-companion and pacemaker, got a dream run through on the rail 500m out, soon a few lengths clear and only briefly under the whip, pushed out and still quite strong at the line. She has reasonable prospects of staying 12f/2400m ridden appropriately.

NEVER ENDING STORY (106 here, 108 previously) was back to near her Leopardstown winning form, taking a while to settle tracking the pace before making an effort 500m out, having to squeeze through somewhat but nosing into second before no extra only late on. This sort of trip may well suit her better than shorter when conditions are like this, but she is not certain to get even further.

TASMANIA (106+ here, 90+ previously) did quite well as things unfolded, hampered leaving her stall and switched right, held up towards the rear and again bumped as she started to make headway 450m out, running on well but never nearer (her last 2 splits were the fastest in the field). This was a big improvement on what she had done previously (won maiden at Saint-Cloud and minor event here), and she should be suited by a bit further still.

WISE GIRL (105 here, 82+ previously) ran out of her skin as a pacemaker for the winner but did so setting a pretty even gallop, and, a well-related individual, is worth one chance to confirm this useful form. She soon led, racing a little wide other than round the bend, manoeuvred out 600m out and headed soon after, but keeping on determinedly. She should stay 2400m/12f.

ELUSIVE PRINCESS (103+ here and previously) shaped better than the result again from a wide draw, held up towards the rear but travelling comfortably, still with plenty to do turning in and switched widest of all before going on pretty well, nearest at the finish. There is still some untapped potential there.

JANNAH ROSE (95 here, 105+ previously) had shown plenty of speed in winning 3 out of 3 previously but came unstuck here in a more truly run race, taking a strong hold in mid-field, shaken up 500m out and bumped soon after, brief headway before no extra and not knocked about late on.

LADY EWELINA (95+ here, 100+ previously) had little room briefly early and raced in rear, running on quite well without posing a threat, a bit better than the result all told.

LINDY (94 here, 109 previously) seemed not to stay after all, quite free and somewhat wide but close up until weakening approaching 400m out. She had shown herself to be very useful against the winner here before now.

ROMINA POWER (92 here and 89 previously)

CAROLINE STREET (92 here, 102 previously) was below form, finding little after making short-lived headway from mid-field.

NOVAKAI (90 here, 105 previously) failed to give her running but is probably best rated on her second to Soul Sister at York than the best of her 2-y-o form now anyway.

LEFT SEA (85 here, 98 previously)

PENSEE DU JOUR (84 here, 101+ previously) needs to settle better than she did here to make the grade at this level.

KHAHIRA (83 here, 89 previously)

RUNNING LION (78 here, 109 previously) ultimately ran a stinker, not helped by going freely and being a bit wide (though close up) but going to nothing after 500m out.