Aniseed
Owners enjoyed a zenith season last year with Oaks heroine Dancing Rain, but this Dalakhani filly looks a million miles below her stablemate in terms of form and ability. Pedigree suggests she should improve plenty for the longer trip, however her half-sister Sugar Mint always promised more than she actually delivered and there's no reason to think that connections are trying to do anything other than nick a bit of placed money/black type considering she has two stone to find on official ratings.
Esentepe
Given a canny ride when pinching the Nell Gwyn (always handily-placed in a slowly-run race) and poor run at Goodwood next time out can be put down to the ground and/or unique track. The flatter Knavesmire should be more her cup of tea, but the ground is likely to be sticky and testing and it's hard to see how those conditions will suit this proven fast-ground winner. Dam stayed fairly well but plenty of speed in her family and there must be doubts over this longer trip proving suitable as well.
Good Morning Star
Showed that ratings aren't the be-all-and-end-all when beating her eight rivals in a weak renewal of the Cheshire Oaks a week ago, despite being the lowest-rated in the field. Showed plenty of resolution that day, pipping a decent Ballydoyle inmate in the process, and not implausible that she's only just starting to hit her straps now. Proven on soft ground and not totally discounted despite looking up against it once more; the one to take advantage if the big two fail to fire.
Salford Art
Bred to improve as she steps up in distance this season, and showed some promise on her reappearance at Newmarket where she tired late on. Should be fitter for that, and the booking of Ryan Moore catches the eye, so entitled to step up on that effort. A repeat of her five-length fourth behind Lyric Of Light in last-year's Fillies' Mile would see her in the mix, however it must be a concern that her best efforts have come on quick ground.
The Fugue
Unfancied on her debut last season but put in a very encouraging performance, drawing clear with one other before winning nicely. That form hasn't worked out, but she stepped up on that run when fourth in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, where she fared best of those held up off the pace. Long delay in the stalls/before race not ideal, so the form may not be bullet-proof, however it's the best form on offer here. Dam was second in the Ribblesdale, and her half-sister has won over two miles, so this longer trip should prove ideal and she's very much the horse to beat for last-year's winning trainer.
Twirl
Impeccably bred, as you'd expect from one of the Ballydoyle team, being a full sister to Irish 1000 Guineas and Pretty Polly Stakes winner Misty For Me. Won her maiden easily at Leopardstown last November, and, like The Fugue, although the form hasn't worked out, she then stepped up on that run when second to Chrysanthemum at the Curragh on her reappearance. Stable's horses have been coming on a lot for the run, and it's important to note that she was a drifter in the betting that day. This Galileo filly shapes as if the longer trip will suit, although it's worth mentioning that there is plenty of speed on her dam's side, being a daughter of Storm Cat.
Summary
Andrew Lloyd-Webber's Dar Re Mi was third in this race in 2008, however he can taste more success as an owner at York with THE FUGUE. John Gosden's filly ran very well in the Guineas on her reappearance, and this longer trip should suit her down to the ground. Given the weather over the past month, it may not pay to go overboard with betting stakes, but she should handle the soft ground (sire Dansili handled all goings, dam won on good to soft). Gosden won the race last year with Joviality and this filly looks to have more class about her than her stablemate. Twirl is a fascinating contender, as she looked a little short of fitness on her reappearance in the Park Express last month. However her trainer doesn't have a good record in this race, saddling five runners over the past seven years, including three favourites, but to no avail. Good Morning Star caused an upset at Chester but looks to have bumped into two very nice fillies here, and unless she can show improved form once again, it's unlikely she'll be featuring in the finish.
