Illusion defied a drift in the market to beat the well supported and highly regarded Red Dune in a Windsor maiden last time out and this improving filly can fend off a whole host of fellow improvers, many of which could be a step or two ahead of the handicapper. Falcolnry was a bitter disappointment on her seasonal debut but connections have always thought quite a bit of her, hence her participation in the Cheveley Park Stakes last October. Badalona showed that she had trained on with a second placing at Goodwood however, this does appear a stronger contest. Support for the maiden Tatbeeq should be noted but Illusion is selected.
Badalona 7-2jt-fav (9-2) Tracked leader, led 5f out, driven along from 2f out, headed 100yds out, rallied under pressure but always just held, 2nd of 10, hd behind Mekong Melody (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (4) gd in May.
Illusion 9-2 (8-12) Made all, ridden along from 2f out, in command final furlong, won at Windsor 1m mdn fll (5) gf in May beating Red Dune (8-12) by 1l, 14 ran.
Scuffle 7-4fav (9-0) Always prominent, keen early, led over 2f out, driven clear entering the final furlong, readily, won at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn fll (5) gd in May beating Crystal Capella (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Falcolnry (IRE) 15-2co-fav (9-1) Held up well in rear, headway 2f out, soon driven along, never reached leaders, 8th of 18, 9l behind Clifton Dancer (8-6) at Newbury 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (4) gd in May.
Brasingaman Hifive 50-1 (9-1) Towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 12, 3l behind Elysee Palace (9-0) at Haydock 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
Fits of Giggles (IRE) 28-1 (8-11) Towards rear, ridden along halfway, never near to challenge, 6th of 7, 10l behind Fat Boy (9-2) at Ripon 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Aug.
Celtic Lynn (IRE) 3-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, led 2f out, soon under pressure, driven out, won at Doncaster 6f mdn aut stk (5) gs in May beating Marchingontogether (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Tatbeeq (IRE) 15-8 (8-12) Tracked winner, ridden 2f out, driven to challenge approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Mangham (9-3) at Ripon 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May.
