Expert Analysis

A fairly good standard of Opera, though the assessment of the winner at 114 is very much a maximum given the narrow margins between the principals. It was also a rather messy race, with the emphasis on late speed and positioning, as reflected in the winner’s final 400m of 23.20s (110.0% finishing speed).

FRIENDLY SOUL (114 here, 109 previously) received a good ride close to the front and was a willing partner, leading 400m out and running on well for pressure. That is 4 wins out of 5 this season, this having the most substance of any of them. There remain doubts that she will get as far as 12f/2400m.

RUNNING LION (113 here, 110 previously) ran well and did nothing wrong this time, never far away and sticking to her task. 8f/10f seem to come alike to her.

SPARKLING PLENTY (111+ here, 113 previously) was close to form while, yet again, shaping as if she would have gone even closer from a more prominent position, taking a short while to settle towards the rear, improving 400m out and running on well, fastest of all in the final section. There should be more good races in her though she is a hostage to fortune ridden in this manner.

FALLEN ANGEL (111 here, 114 previously) was close to form while shaping as though 2000m/10f is far enough for her even in a race in which the emphasis was on speed, in 3rd/4th but one paced late on, slightly slower in the final section than those who beat her.

START OF DAY (108 here, 105 previously) ran well, always around the same place.

AMERICAN SONJA (107 here, 108 previously) ran creditably, always around the same position. She is really a Group 3 standard of performer, her second in a Group 1 at Deauville coming in a weak Prix Jean Romanet.

ALMARA (106 here, 103 previously) seemed to run well though did get the run of things to a degree up front.

ELUSIVE PRINCESS (105 here, 106 previously)

HANALIA (105 here, 109 previously) made little headway having been slowly away and held up.

CONTENT (103 here, 113 previously) made little headway from rear when asked in a first-time hood, having been slowly away, not going with the zest of her 2 most recent starts.

YLANG YLANG (94 here, 110 previously) was always in rear and left behind late on, clearly not on her A game.