An Oaks trial of a variable standard - for every Islington there has been a Secret History in recent years - and only a couple in this field had proven themselves in Group company. With neither producing her best it was almost certainly not a vintage renewal but SHORT SKIRT looks a filly going the right way. She had shown promise in both two-year-old starts, was bred to improve at three and has definitely done so judged on the way she accomplished her task here, having to wait for a gap to appear andallowing the runner-up first run but still able to nail her inside the final 1f. She raced keenly on the outside and showed a slight tendency to hang and is clearly less than the finished article after just three outings but she should improve again, though she will need to if she is to make a mark in better company than this. Her participation in the Oaks reportedly depends upon there being give in the ground but she is not obviously the sort likely to handle the track.

Alexandrova's narrow defeat in last year's Group 1 Fillies' Mile made her very much the one to beat here but she was well below that form. Stumbling after clipping the heels of a rival very early on, she soon settled in last place but initially made her ground comfortably in the straight. However, she did not pull clear as might have been expected from her position in the Oaks betting and reports of her homework and was caught in the final 1f. Neither ground nor trip should have been a problem and for all that she should come on for the outing and will be seen to better advantage in a more strongly run race this was a less than encouraging reappearance.

All-weather maiden winner Lake Shabla could not bridge the step up in class, while High Heel Sneakers - fourth in the Fillies' Mile last autumn - dropped away after making the running and may have the ground too soft.

Jabbara was asked a stiffish question on this debut andwill be better judged in maiden company.[DC]

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