Expert Analysis

One of the great open-aged fillies’ races of the summer, with a particularly good bunch of winners in recent years (Enable twice, including with a 127-rated effort in 2019, Sea Of Class and Love), and Snowfall deserves to be mentioned in a similar breath to them, for all that there are slight doubts about the form given the proximity of the third. The pace was sound, and the overall time was very useful, with the race finishing speed of 102.4% very close to par. The runners came down the centre in the home straight on ground that seemed firmer than the official “good”. 11 yards was added to the advertised race distance on account of rail movements.

SNOWFALL (117+ here, 120 previously) was most impressive, for all that questions can again be raised about the strength of her opposition, this perhaps more than even her classic wins underlining that it will take a good one of either sex and any age to beat her. She was held up, made good headway 3f out and soon led, quickening clear under just hands and heels until near the finish, value at least an extra couple of lengths that would confirm her pre-race 120 rating. Besides anything else, she has now shown that ground from soft (at Epsom) to good to firm (here) comes alike to her.  

ALBAFLORA (110 here and previously) was back to form on firmer ground than of late, though probably no better than she had been previously with a few failing to fire in this, a bit slowly away and in last for much of the way before staying on steadily late on (went left 2f out) without having a prayer with the winner.

LA JOCONDE (106 here, 89 previously) seemed to excel herself, and needs to back this up if the form of this race is to be regarded as up to scratch, leading at a sound pace (jumped path early) and sticking to her task when headed after 3f out despite wandering. She is a rangy sort, from an outstanding outfit, so it is at least possible that the penny is finally dropping with her.

WONDERFUL TONIGHT (103 here, 117 previously) disappointed and might have been unsuited by this firmer going, mostly in third and quite free, briefly looking a big danger as she improved 3f out but finding little and not unduly knocked about thereafter. She is likely to return to form sooner rather than later. 

LOVING DREAM (99 here, 108 previously) had something to find but should have fared better even so, in mid-field and making no headway when asked.

DIVINELY (82 here, 104 previously) has gone the wrong way in her last two starts, close up in this but finding little at the business end.

ESHAADA (51 here, 107 previously) ran poorly having taken some time to settle, emptying late on.