Expert Analysis

Quite a strong renewal of the so-called Fillies’ St Leger, with all 10 capable of useful form at least going in and a smart winner in the event, though with admittedly several failing to run up to their best on the day. The ground was probably soft at this stage, though tending towards good to soft already, and Rossa Ryan on Sumo Sam ensured a good test by setting solid fractions, the filly’s 38.89s for the final 3f (100.5%) close to par.

SUMO SAM (112 here and previously) confirmed the improvement shown at Goodwood and with no question marks whatsoever about her merit on this occasion, leading after 1f and 4 to 5 lengths clear, setting a good pace until getting a slight breather mid-race, shaken up over 3f out and challenged seriously in the penultimate 1f, staying on strongly for pressure to the line. She would probably have been placed in the St Leger with her fillies’ allowance (second only to Continuous on ratings after both contests) and should have a good future at this trip and further, and on ground like this, if connections persevere.

ONE EVENING (107 here, 102 previously) comes from what looks a strong Galtres Stakes and filled the same berth here as there, a bit slowly away and in mid-field until making headway 3f out, continuing to run on despite the winner having her measure from over 1f out.

LMAY (106 here, 96 previously) had finished fifth in what looks a strong Galtres Stakes and bettered that form here while not really impressing with her finishing effort, travelling comfortably in rear after a slowish start, improving steadily to dispute the lead over 1f out (went evens in running) but finding no extra soon after. She had tended to wander late on at York.

CHING SHIH (102 here, 104 previously) ran creditably but seemed to find this trip taxing her stamina in these conditions. She was a bit slowly away, travelled comfortably in rear before headway 3f out and was not far back in the penultimate 1f before weakening at the death.

BOOGIE WOOGIE (96 here, 101 previously) might have found the trip a bit far, no extra approaching the final 1f having raced prominently, but did not look much better than the result from some way out.

CRACK OF LIGHT(96 here, 100 previously) tended to hang left late on and was a bit below form.

SHAMWARI (73 here, 96 previously) appeared not to stay in first-time cheekpieces.

NIGHT SPARKLE (71 here, 98 previously) had more to find on what was her first start since leaving Michael O’Callaghan but seemed simply to have an off day, in trouble some way out.

DIVINE JEWEL (0 here, 102 previously) dropped right away from prominence and was possibly not right.

GOLDEN LYRA (0 here, 104 previously) ran as if amiss.