towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, headway and effort over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
dwelt towards rear, never dangerous
In touch, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, to lead near finish
close up, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed towards finish, no extra
Zaharath Al Bustan is well exposed but sets a good standard here and is taken to beat Elegant Times and Ebonywood. Mick Channon's filly rarely gets beaten far and put in another solid display when chasing home Speciosa at Beverley last time. That winner ran a blinder in the May Hill Stakes earlier this week which certainly boosts the chances of our selection. Ebonywood is very highly regarded by the yard and was expected to run much better at Haydock last time. However the form has been franked a couple of times and so Pat Haslam's filly has to considered a major threat. Elegant Times finished fourth in a decent York maiden on her debut and is open to any amount of improvement. Market support for Tim Easterby's filly should be heeded. Howard Johnston's Vanilla Delight could be the pick of the newcomers, but on this occasion we will side with a experience and give the vote to Zaharath Al Bustan.
Alambic 7-1 (8-11) Started very slowly, well adrift, always outpaced in rear, 11th of 12, 14l behind Dubai On (8-11) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol.
Ebonywood (USA) 10-3 (8-9) Held up, driven along over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Sleeping Storm (8-9) at Haydock 6f nov fll stk (5) gf in Aug.
Elegant Times (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Dwelt and behind, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Romantic Evening (9-0) at York 6f 2yo mdn aut (4) gd in Jul.
Jenny Soba 12-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 8th of 20, 11l behind Lyrical Sound (8-3) at Leicester 6f 2yo mdn aut (7) gd in Aug.
Kahlua Kiss 66-1 (8-11) Started slowly, in rear, ridden halfway, never troubled leaders, 9th of 13, 7l behind Silver Dip (8-11) at Salisbury 7f 2yo mdn fll (2) gf.
Musical Echo 7-1 (8-1) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Alfie Tupper (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Aug.
Vanilla Delight (IRE) Orpen filly, half-sister to winners on the Flat and over hurdles.
Zaharath Al Bustan 11-4fav (8-11) Led, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong until headed close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Speciosa (8-11) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gs in Aug.