PONTEFRACT 15:00 1t664g

Non Runners: SEA OF ROSES. Race Distance Adjustment: +7 yds

Time: 2m 37.07s Closing Sectional: (2f): 25.55s (102%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 118%, Betfair SP 99.8%

A listed race of degrees, with a host of above-average fillies taking part but the odds-on favourite that bit more so, even if her closest challenger - especially having been asked to come from last - in what became a tight finish was an unexpected one.

RIVER OF STARS (IRE) had enough in hand on form to land the odds despite not getting close to her smart best, third in a Group 3 and first in a listed race in 2 runs to start into her 5-y-o campain now yet raising doubts about whether she's come back as good as she was all the same, needing waking up to edge ahead under 2f out and ending up clinging on having failed to get more than a length clear from there.

CHING SHIH (IRE) hasn't won since 2021 yet not once has she been ridden anything other than patiently during that period, spending most of this race in last and ing all bar the winner, a clear return to form with headgear straight back on for all she came out on the wrong end of it again (now placed 5 times during drought); soon steadied, still plenty to do home turn, had to pick way through from 2f out, closed down leader close home, just failed, left with a lot to do.

DIVINA GRACE (IRE) typically gave her running, which was enough to carry her to some black type stepping out of good-class handicaps into pattern company for only the second time; handy, effort home turn, kept on.

THREE PRIESTS (JPN) stepped up plenty on her comeback run back against her own sex, hitting the frame in this for the second year in succession (part of Sunday Series fixture in 2023); mid-field, quickened early in straight, threatened approaching final 1f, no extra only late on.

SCENIC (FR) didn't have the chance the market suggested even if her Haydock form was taken at face value, her overall level long since static; waited with, not settle fully, pushed along before straight, effort out wide over 1f out, no further impression.

AYYAB didn't look at all out of place at this level but, a sizeable unit for a 4-y-o filly, had her move hindered by a less-than-clear run just when she was winding up; in touch, going fairly well and beginning to get going when denied a run entering straight, switched soon after, rallied gradually but never really able to recover; she's clearly come back better than before.

NEVER ENDING (IRE) was found out tried again beyond handicaps, finishing closer but only a place better than when tried in the Pride Stakes as a 3-y-o, albeit with the tongue tie worn at Haydock discarded and her stamina for the trip unproven, leading until under 2f out before weakening.

ZARABANDA (IRE) followed a good run with a below-par one for all she faced a stiffer task in this grade; held up, pushed along before straight, made little impression.

VERA VERTO (IRE) had missed 9 weeks since her return and ran worse rather than better, a wide route that meant she couldn't adopt her usual tactics ittedly a mitigating factor; settled in touch out wide, lost place before straight.

ERMESINDE (IRE) merely furthered doubts over the validity of her York effort, though this was a poor run even on the balance of her form; held up, ridden before straight, made no impression.

AVON LIGHT ran poorly for the second start in a row; waited with, forced wide, lost place quickly home turn.