Expert Analysis

What looked a slightly weak renewal, was rendered even more so by a lack of pace, resulting in some narrow margins between the first nine of 10, and the bare form should be treated with some caution. The final 600m finishing speed was over 113%, and even the last-placed filly returned 108%. Valia was probably most inconvenienced, though Believe In Love and Passion also get bigger upgrades than the well-ridden winner. The runners came away from the rail 800m out but ended up close to it late on and there seemed to be no track bias.

LOVING DREAM (108 here and previously) added an even more prestigious win to her Ribblesdale one at Royal Ascot but again benefited from a good ride, setting slow fractions, shaken up 650m out  and headed narrowly for some of the straight before rallying despite edging right to get back up late on. She has had only six races, so could still improve in that respect, but would probably come up short outside in a genuine Group 1.

BELIEVE IN LOVE (108 here and previously) ran a fine race despite not having her stamina tested, held up in mid-field before improving steadily to lead narrowly and briefly after 400m out, battling on but just run out of it.

VALIA (106+ here, 112 previously) possibly should have won, ridden with little enterprise in a slowly run race, missing a beat at the start but held up in touch, making headway 400m out but not asked for maximum effort until late on, running on but unable to get to the first two. She had just about the best form going into this, courtesy of a Group 2 defeat of Skazino at this course and distance and a Group 2 second at Deauville in which she blew the start.  

JOIE DE SOIR (105 here, 107 previously) ran creditably though with every chance close to the slow pace until one paced late on.

PASSION (104 here, 110? previously) hinted at a revival and would go into the British Champions’ Fillies & Mares at Ascot with a shout of a place, having finished third in that race 12 months ago, slowly away and held up last, tapped for toe over 600m but working her way onto the heels of the leaders before no further progress and not knocked about late on. 

CONTROL TOWER (103 here, 100 previously) seemed to run well despite not getting the run of things, rallying late on.

YESYES (102? here, 99 previously) seemed to run well but was left behind late on and tended to go right (free early on).

THUNDER DRUM (102? here, 99 previously)

NOBLE MUSIC (100? here, 99 previously)

WILLOW (92? here, 98 previously)