slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, effort over 2f out, ridden, chance when not clear run entering final furlong, soon beaten
chased winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, challenged entering final furlong, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
dwelt, soon tracking leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden, headway on outer over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on well towards finish
The last four renewals of this feature race have gone to favourites and likely favourite Expensive gets the nod to continue that sequence. Mont Etoile looks the main danger. Chris Wall's filly is fully effective on quick ground over this mile trip and ran fairly well in defeat last time out at Goodwood. There used to be slight stamina doubts for this mile trip but he won well on the all-weather when ridden prominently (under specialist orders from her trainer to determine fully whether she stays) and he looks the pick of these despite having a Listed winners penalty. Fann hasn't been sparkling of late and would prefer the heavens to open, whilst Mont Etoile returns from a lengthy break. He stays much further than this though so it could be a warm-up for future engagements. Neardown Beauty and Passion Fruit both have plenty to find at the weights, so of more interest may be Luca Cumani's Home Sweet Home. She ran well behind Makderah last year but needs to be fully wound up to take this one would think. Not the strongest renewal of the Pipalong Stakes and Expensive gets the nomination.
Expensive 7-4 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, no chance with winner final furlong, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Harvest Queen (9-4) at Goodwood 1m lst fll stk (1) gf in May.
Fann (USA) 66-1 (9-6) Held up in mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon beaten, 8th of 10, 8l behind Echelon (9-9) at Epsom 1m 1f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gs.
Home Sweet Home (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 12, 15l behind Mayonga (8-11) at Lingfield 1m lst fll stk (1) pol in Oct.
Mont Etoile (IRE) 18-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 9l behind Sixties Icon (9-0) at York 1m 6f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Sept.
Neardown Beauty (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Mid-division, not clear run 2f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Nawaqees (8-6) at Goodwood 1m hcap (4) gd in May.
Passion Fruit 11-4fav (9-3) Dwelt, in rear, pushed along halfway, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 15l behind Bakhoor (8-7) at Leicester 7f fll hcp (4) sft in May.
