Expert Analysis

A decent-sized field but they ended up getting in each other’s way somewhat, in a race which was steadily run until past halfway (first two’s finishing speeds around 108%), and there might easily have been a different result another day. The winner’s performance rating is below the 115 average in recent years, for all that there can be little doubt that she improved.  

NO SPEAK ALEXANDER (111 here, 105 previously) left her previous form behind to post a smart effort, for all that she got the run of things more than some of her rivals, quite close up in a tactical affair, gradually responding to lead with 1f to go, edging left but running on. This is probably her trip.

PEARLS GALORE (110 here and previously) ran right up to her best and missed only narrowly on a big prize, rearing leaving her stall but soon prominent in a tactical affair, every chance under pressure from approaching the final 1f and staying on at the death.

MOTHER EARTH (108 here, 113 previously) looked to have been found another good opportunity and might have added to her wins at this level in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and Prix Rothschild at Deauville with better luck, tracking the pace before making headway over 2f out then running into some trouble 1f out and again late on, unable to recover and finishing with running in her.  

EMPRESS JOSEPHINE (107 here and previously) returned to the form of her Irish 1000 Guineas win at the Curragh and shaped a bit better than the result, soon settled in rear (briefly not much room early) then coming wide before running on and never nearer. She was a listed second at 9.5f earlier in the year and ought to prove herself fully effective at around that trip.

EPONA PLAYS (107 here, 110 previously) was close to form and a bit better than the result, steadied to mid-field, not much room approaching 2f out but running on despite edging left.

CHAMPERS ELYSEES (104 here, 111 previously) is not quite as good as she was this time last year, when she won this with a 116-rated performance, but shaped better than the result and should continue to be competitive at this level or slightly lower, held up mid to rear and getting a troubled run up the inner, never nearer than at the finish.

ACANELLA (102 here, 106 previously) was better than the result, slowly away and in rear before making late gains despite being briefly short of room.

BELLE IMAGE (102 here, 105 previously) ran respectably, always around the same place and keeping on.

PRETTY GORGEOUS (100 here, 106 previously) is not as good as she was last year but showed a bit more than suggested by the result, wide and poorly placed after being slowly into her stride but making some late headway.

DREAMLOPER (100 here, 108 previously) ended up too far out of her ground, her rider having to anchor her as she went freely again, closing a bit late. She is capable of better than this but possibly not the easiest to catch right.

SHALE (98 here, 105 previously) weakened after getting the run of things in the lead until 1f out.

FLIRTING BRIDGE (97 here, 99 previously) had plenty on and back-pedalled after being close up until approaching the final 1f.

FRIENDLY (95 here, 101 previously) never looked like getting into it after a slow start, racing freely and carrying her head a bit awkwardly late on.