Bugie D'Amore
Steadily progressive form for previous connections in Italy, winning a Group Three on her final start. Satisfactory start for her new trainer when fourth behind Laugh Out Loud at Chantilly; expected to come on for the outing and open to further progress but obviously has a little to find on that form.
Cardigan
Showed a good turn of foot to impressively win a six furlong maiden in September on her sole start to date; a performance which prompted connections to comment that they thought she had a big future. Those behind haven't exactly advertised the form though and this is clearly a big step up in class on this belated return.
Elusive Kate
Progressed through the ranks in France, winning a Listed, Group Three and Group One which saw her at the top of the European rankings at the end of the season although she failed to land a blow at the Breeders' Cup. Missed her early season targets but remains an interesting prospect for this term for a trainer who won this race in 2006.
Fallen For You
Impressive on debut and ran her best race to date on her second start when going close in a Group Two at Doncaster. Failed to build on that in the Fillies' Mile next time and didn't have to run to that level to make a winning return at Kempton. Possible this test will show her in a better light than seven furlongs at Lingfield but plenty to do on the bare evidence of the form book.
Homecoming Queen
Ran away with the QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on the fourteenth start of her career but she failed to reproduce that performance at the Curragh the when not allowed a soft lead. Easy to question the HQ form given events prior to the race but the form of her Group Three win in April stacks up well enough so dangerous to dismiss the run as a one off.
Intense Pink
Improved from an inauspicious debut to run third second time out but took her form to a new level when justifying strong support by 14 lengths at Pontefract. No surprise to see her stepped up to Listed level following that but she failed to land a blow over six furlongs and, although this longer trip should suit, it's difficult to see her being ready for this test at this point in her career.
Irish History
A 950,000 euro purchase who is related to a number of smart performers and she looked capable of living up to her breeding when slamming her rivals on debut. Attracted heav support when asked to tackle the boys in Listed company just 10 days later only to meet with inteference and it would be no surprise to see her run a big race despite the figures suggesting she's up against it.
Laugh Out Loud
Half-sister to a Listed winner who went close on debut in a Wolverhampton maiden in January and, bar a blip in the Guineas at Newmarket where there were valid excuses, her record has been one of steady progression. Impressive win at Chantilly last time gives her leading claims as things stand and the signs are that connections haven't got to the bottom of her yet.
Maybe
Non-runner.
Russelliana
Out of a half-sister to the smart Notnowcato and not short of ability herself, finishing second in the Group Two Cherry Hinton on her second outing. Two subsequent starts have fallen short of that level, however, and she needs to take a big step forwards from her April reappearance as she moves up to a trip which should suit.
Samitar
Never missed a beat as a juvenile, finishing second in the Fillies' Mile and racking up the prize money in a couple of valuable sales races. Inauspicious start to this season before dotting up in the Irish Guineas but her trainer blamed himself for the first and was less than happy with the tactics employed for the second. The Curragh form was given a boost here on Wednesday and her claims have to be taken seriously.
Starscope
Talented but temperamental filly and a danger that her mood swings will prevent her from fulfilling her potential. Ran a fine second in the Guineas at Newmarket but threw the toys out at Newbury, having to be walked down to the start and proving reluctant to load before racing too keenly and failing to get home. Drop back to a mile should help in that respect but how she copes with the crowds and preliminaries will be interesting.
Summary
A fascinating contest featuring the Guineas winners from Newmarket and the Curragh as well as last season's leading juveniles.
Throw in the promise of the once-raced Cardigan and Irish History and the possibility of improvement from Russelliana over this trip as her stable moves through the gears and there's plenty to ponder.
There's been a great deal to like, however, about the progress made by Laugh Out Loud and there was no sign of it stopping in France.
Connections have been unable to secure the services of her regular rider but her trainer was quick to find a suitable replacement whose style looks tailor made for the filly.
She still has to prove herself at this level but looks more than capable of holding her own while, her stablemate aside, the majority of her rivals arguably have more to prove.
