raced wide, in touch, weakened and struggling final 3f
led until headed over 1f out, driven along and rallied gamely to lead last stride
chased winner, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
raced wide, prominent until weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, pushed along and soon in touch, ridden halfway soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never going pace to reach leading pair
behind, hard ridden and no chance final 2f
took keen hold, held up in touch, smooth headway 2f out, led over 1f out, driven well inside final furlong, headed last strides
Not the toughest Listed race of the season and one that can go to Soviet Song, with Monturani the one to chase her home. The selection is likely to start odds-on, so there are no prizes for originality here, but here form is the best on offer. A hat-trick of wins at two marked her out as a Classic contender last season and she was not disgraced in the Guineas before an excellent effort, again behind Russian Rhythm, at Royal Ascot. Though her form tailed off in her last two starts, those earlier efforts should be comfortably good enough if she is straight for her seasonal return. Monturani is consistent in Group company and over a range of trips from a mile to 11 furlongs. Though she has not won for almost two years, she rarely throws in a bad run and should again be knocking on the door if the favourite is below par. Little else stands out as a realistic chance, so we will take route one and side with Soviet Song.
