slowly away, soon ridden along in rear, kept on to go, never dangerous 3rd final furlong
edged right throughout, made all, wide into straight 2f out, pushed out, comfortable
pressed winner, ridden and wide into straight 2f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden after 2f, weakened over 1f out
TAQUKA, beaten narrowly three times over this trip on Turf last summer, returned after a long break at Kempton last week and led everywhere but the post over that extra furlong. He should have come on for the run and can get the better of the consistent but luckless Shamardyh, who has generally found the minimum trip too short. The remaining trio haven't shown much though Shirley Vanessa led for a long way over 6f at Kempton last week.
Island Express (IRE) 66-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 5, 6l behind Rose Buck (8-3) at Lingfield 6f mdn stks (5) pol.
Taquka (IRE) 5-2 (8-12) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, pushed along inside final furlong, edged left close home, caught post, 2nd of 6, ns behind Pool House (8-12) at Kempton 6f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Jan.
Shamardyh (IRE) 3-1 (9-6) Soon off the pace, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd final 100 yards, never quite going pace to challenge, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind The Dandy Yank (9-7) at Lingfield 5f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Shirley Vanessa (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 6l behind Artemis (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.
Deavin 33-1 (9-5) Dwelt, towards rear and outpaced, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 38l behind Donncha (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov.
