took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway and closed over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong, all out
held up in rear, headway on bit 2f out, travelling easily over 1f out, shaken up and refused to go past inside final furlong
pulled hard, led and soon well clear, reduced lead and headed over 2f out, weakened rapidly and eased
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on strongly towards finish
in touch in chasing group, weakened 2f out
prominent in chasing group and soon chased clear leader, closed to lead over 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, rallied near finish, just held
prominent in chasing group, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
took keen hold, held up towards rear, shaken up and no response over 2f out
in touch, ridden and weakened over 3f out, tailed off
always in rear, lost touch 3f out, soon tailed off
reared start, ran very green and always in rear
In this fillies' maiden, Salsa Steps is selected ahead of Sues Surprise and Josephine Mallines. Sues Surprise (who is rated 102), Salsa Steps (who is rated 80) and Fidelia (who is rated 85), all rate as interesting contenders in this maiden. Much as it would not pay to get too carried away with the bare form of Salsa Steps' seasonal return at Windsor, she was entitled to need that and can prove the point by running well here. The horse that beat her when she was second the time before at Lingfield was this year's Coronation Stakes third Dalvina. Sue's Return finished last of 14 in The Oaks last time out but prior to that had finished third in the five-runner Musidora Stakes, so she clearly has plenty of ability. Fidelia has already been tried unsuccessfully at Listed level but, back at maiden grade, she cannot be ruled out, while Josephine Mallines is entitled to improve on her promising seasonal return, which rates in the mid-70s, so she could bag some money. Of the others, Alo Pura, who cost 210,000 guineas, showed promise on her debut but the bare form needs improving upon if she is to feature prominently today, and Cassiara has had plenty of chances now although cheekpieces could, of course, bring some improvement from her. Overall, though, the selection is Salsa Steps.
Alo Pura 16-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Lang Shining (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) gd.
Cassiara 5-1 (8-10) Held up, headway 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Medici Pearl (8-9) at Beverley 7f 3yo hcp (4) hvy.
Cow Girl (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, challenged final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Sweet Clover (8-11) at York 7f mdn fll (4) hvy.
Fidelia (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Prominent, chased leaders 4f out, effort over 1f out, soon no extra, 6th of 12, 5l behind Shirley A Star (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo mdn fll (5) gf in Jun.
Josephine Malines 33-1 (9-0) In touch, headway 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1l behind El Toreador (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 3yo mdn fll (5) gf in Jun.
Safwa (IRE) 13-8jt-fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 6l behind Rustic Flame (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 3yo mdn fll (4) gs in Jun.
Salsa Steps (USA) 5-2fav (9-3) Chased leaders, slightly hampered 6f out, chasing leaders when not clear run on rail over 1f out, soon switched left and no impression, 4th of 14, 4l behind Duchess Royale (9-3) at Windsor 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs.
Sues Surprise (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Made most to over 5f out, weakened rapidly straight, virtually pulled up final 2f, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Light Shift (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gs in Jun.
Tagula Song (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 10, 37l behind Rustic Flame (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 3yo mdn fll (4) gs in Jun.
Tinted View (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 6l behind Situla (9-0) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn fll aut (6) pol in Nov.
With Confidence Polish Precedent filly, half-sister to winning sprinter Free Wheelin.
