held up, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, slightly hampered over 2f out, weakened under pressure soon afterwards
prominent, chased leader and effort 3f out, soon under pressure and weakened 2f out
held up, good headway to lead over 2f out, ran on strongly final furlong, gainly
took keen hold in touch, tracked leader one mile out to over 3f out, weakened rapidly and eased well over 1f out
with leader for 2f, lost place 5f out, soon weakened and eased over 1f out
mid-division, lost position and behind over 3f out, soon beaten
made most to over 2f out, weakened 1f out
tracked leader 4f, stayed prominent until lost place 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up mid-division, outpaced and lost position entering straight, hung left and right final 2f, rallied final furlong, ran on well to take 3rd towards finish
settled well in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and hung left, not pace to trouble leaders
held up towards rear, hampered and checked one mile out, steady headway to chase winner 2f out, stayed on well, no impression final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, effort and edge right, not pace to challenge, one pace from over 1f out and lost 3rd well inside final furlong
Eswarah, Virginia Waters, Cassydora and Something Exciting form the shortlist for the Vodafone Oaks, with the vote going to Virginia Waters. The selection is already proven at Classic level, having won the 1,000 Guineas. She was slightly disappointing in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last time, but she had to race on the unfavoured near side on going that was probably too soft for her at The Curragh. As long as she gets her favoured fastish conditions, she can go well today in a bid to land a second Classic. Eswarah is very much respected, though, as this unbeaten-in-two filly has looked better each time she has set foot on the track. Beautifully-bred, she is out of the 1986 Epsom heroine, Midway Lady, and she could be very special indeed. The Lingfield Oaks Trial winner, Cassydora, and the Lupe winner, Something Exciting, have both earned their place in today's line-up and are also respected. Best of the others might yet prove to be Pictavia but, for the winner, we will stick with Virginia Waters.
Cassydora 7-4 (8-10) Held up, smooth headway to track leader over 4f out, led 3f out, drew right away final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m 3f 3yo lst fll (1) gd in May beating Seven Magicians (8-10) by 6l, 6 ran.
Dream To Dress (USA) 8-11fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd from before straight, improved to lead from under 2f out, ridden and clear from over 1f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 1m 2f fll mdn sft in May beating Lady Fonic (9-0) by 3l, 10 ran.
Eswarah 1-2fav (8-9) Held up, headway over 3f out, quickened to lead well over 1f out, edged slightly left, clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in May beating Favourita (8-9) by 2l, 6 ran.
Fen Shui (UAE) 40-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 10th of 20, 8l behind Virginia Waters (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
Higher Love (IRE) 5-2 (8-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Alumni (8-9) at Chester 1m 3f 3yo lst fll (1) gs in May.
Joint Aspiration 33-1 (9-0) Held up, stayed on well from over 1f out, 7th of 18, 1 1/2l behind Saoire (9-0) at Curragh 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) gs in May.
Magical Romance (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Prominent, came wide entering straight, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 12l behind Divine Proportions (9-0) at Longchamp 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) sft in May.
Mona Lisa 40-1 (9-0) Close up, 2nd and ridden halfway, no extra under pressure from 2f out, 11th of 18, 4l behind Saoire (9-0) at Curragh 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) gs in May.
Pictavia (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 7th of 20, 5l behind Virginia Waters (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
Silk And Scarlet 12-1 (9-0) Held up, plenty to do halfway, stayed on from 2f out, 4th of 8, 9l behind Divine Proportions (9-0) at Longchamp 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) sft in May.
Something Exciting 2-1fav (8-11) Held up and behind, good headway over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, driven clear inside final furlong, readily, won at Goodwood 1m 2f lst fll stk (1) gf in May beating Thakafaat (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Virginia Waters (USA) 11-10fav (9-0) Held up, 10th after halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 8th of 18, 2 1/2l behind Saoire (9-0) at Curragh 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) gs in May.
