PONTEFRACT 15:10 o5i31

Non Runners: CHOISYA. Race Distance Adjustment: +7 yds

Time: 1m 46.2s Closing Sectional: (2f): 26.7s (98.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 100.8%

The pair who pulled clear in this fillies' listed event have differing profiles, the winner capitalising on a drop in grade, having been campaigned ambitiously since her 2-y-o days, whilst the runner-up is lightly raced and progressive, but they both posted well-up-to-scratch efforts for this contest, the pair who chased them home also offering something to work on; the gallop was strong.

CAERNARFON back at a more realistic level and returned to soft ground, conditions that clearly suit well, belatedly proved she retains all the ability she showed at 3 yrs, suited by this well-run race back down in trip; held up, good headway 2f out, produced to lead final 1f, always holding on.

DOHA confirmed the improvement shown when scoring at Royal Ascot and would have gone even closer had she not been short of room at a crucial stage; close up, denied run early in straight, forced to switch 1f out, kept on well, pulled clear of remainder; she's well capable of winning a similar race, especially as further progress can't be ruled out, and may be worth another try beyond 1m at some point. seemingly learning to settle better as she gains in experience.

ELIM (IRE) ran creditably to gain some valuable black type, but she did leave the impression this combination of ground and stiff track just stretched her; chased leaders, travelled as well as any, shaken up 2f out, led early in straight, headed final 1f, no extra; her main asset is her high cruising speed and it would be no surprise if a return to an easy 1m, or even a drop back to 7f, showed her in an even better light.

DORA MILAJE (IRE) shaped as if still in good form, lit up by a switch of tactics back down in trip and paying the price late on; disputed lead first 2f, remained prominent, not settle fully, ridden when carried head bit awkwardly early in straight, not quicken.

VILLANOVA QUEEN (IRE) unproven on the ground, went without the headgear this time and underperformed, her season in danger of becoming a disappointment; mid-field, pushed along home turn, plodded on.

STRONG IMPACT (IRE) was flying too high in this grade, though also not helped by racing too freely in first-time blinkers; mid-field, took strong hold, forced wide home turn, beaten when hung left 1f out.

NAAEY has presumably been hard to train, returning here after another 11 months off, and ran no sort of race making turf debut; in rear, struggling soon after halfway, soon beaten; it's interesting that top yard have persevered with her, though, and her next run should reveal more.

ASTRAL BEAU wasn't helped by being taken on for the lead, but shaped as if amiss by the end in any case; helped force pace, raced freely, went on after 2f and was a few lengths clear at halfway, closed down 3f out, headed early in straight, folded tamely.