led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
held up last, reminders 4f out, went modest 3rd towards finish, never on terms
tracked leading pair, smooth headway on outside over 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, led approaching final furlong, soon ridden clear
chased leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden and lost 2nd 2f out, plugged on same pace, lost 3rd towards finish
Francophilia is upped 3lb for winning at Newcastle recently and should go well again. But PERFECT ILLUSION was upped in class at Newbury last time having finished runner-up over track and trip before that with a subsequent winner behind. Andrew Balding’s charge gets the nod back at this level given better was expected from You're Hired at Kempton last time though the latter was beaten less than a length when last at this venue in August when finishing in front of Hollywood Road.
You're Hired 11-2 (9-9) Held up in touch, ridden final furlong, no extra, 6th of 11, 4 3/4l behind The Pinto Kid (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Hollywood Road (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Held up in 4th, pushed along when carried wide on home turn, weakened quickly, last of 5, 10 3/4l behind Oasis Fantasy (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in May.
Perfect Illusion 9-2 (9-2) Raced keenly, tracked leaders on inside, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Frontispiece (9-6) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jun.
Francophilia 5-1 (9-0) Pulled hard, soon chasing leaders on outside, close 2nd 10f out, challenged 2f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Jun beating The Blues Master (8-7) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
