tracked leader until led over 2f out, quickened and well in command inside final furlong, comfortably
chased leading pair, ridden well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
sweating and edgy before start, in touch, effort to chase winner over 2f out, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
held up, not clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, no impression on front 2
held up, niggled along from 3f out, ridden and effort well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon not much room and hampered, weakened after, eased when no chance inside final furlong
A competitive renewal of the Ormande Stakes can go to class act Scorpion. Peppertree Lane and Anna Pavlova appear the main threats. Aiden O 'Brien's five-year-old was highly tried last year (not disgraced in the Breeders Cup Turf or the Hong Kong Vase) and this is obviously a less daunting task. He has won twice on left-handed courses and whilst this is another course entirely, he looks the one to side with. The stable's horses are in form and whilst many have needed the run first time up, Scorpion has a good record fresh. Anna Pavlova was a very progressive horse last season and started this season with a bang, destroying a Listed field at Navan. She is certainly one to keep on the right side of this year, but she may have to play second fiddle today. Ask was a progressive three-year-old last year and with another winter on his back he can play a hand (form behind Sixties Icon has been franked), whilst Steppes Dancer has been in good form on the all-weather but will need to improve again. The Whistling Teal is a game old boy and loves this course so is not one to rule out, but Scorpion is a class act and gets the nod.
Ask 16-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Sixties Icon (9-0) at York 1m 6f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Sept.
Peppertree Lane (IRE) 5-4fav (8-8) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden out final furlong, held on near finish, won at Ripon 1m 4f stk (3) gf in Apr beating Lets Roll (8-9) by a nk, 5 ran.
Scorpion (IRE) (9-0) Close up in 3rd, 5th straight, one pace, 7th of 10, 6l behind Collier Hill (9-0) at Sha Tin 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Dec.
Steppe Dancer (IRE) 2-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, going well, shaken up over 1f out, led inside final furlong and soon asserted, won at Kempton 1m 4f lst stk (1) pol in Mar beating Geordieland (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
The Whistling Teal 25-1 (8-12) Held up in 6th, no chance final 2f, 6th of 9, 5l behind Maraahel (9-3) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Litalia (IRE) (8-9) Made most to 3f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 9, 7l behind Maroussies Wings (8-9) at Deauville 1m 4f fll stk Grp 3 (A) sft in Aug.
Anna Pavlova 5-4fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, smooth headway early straight, led over 1f out, soon ridden clear, easily, won at Navan 1m 2f lst fll stk gs in Apr beating Bon Nuit (9-11) by 5l, 11 ran.
