chased leader, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
made all, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well
in touch, pushed along over 2f out, lost 2nd place inside final furlong, no extra
went right start, chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in rear and outpaced, pushed along over 3f out, kept on to take 2nd place inside final furlong, no chance with winner
A disappointing turnout given the prize money on offer and CLOUDS REST can bounce back to form. Richard Fahey's filly was outclassed in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot but she'd looked particularly smart when registering victories at Beverley and Newbury and she can make her fillies' allowance count. Showing Character comfortably took the measure of Steve Prescott when they met over C&D last month. Any horse in Marwan Koukash's colours must be respected at Chester though Tom Dascombe's colt is fancied to confirm form as he still holds an entry in the Gimcrack Stakes at York. Casterbridge was fourth in the Lily Agnes Stakes and the Ayr maiden winner should find this somewhat easier than his audacious tilt at the Windsor Castle Stakes. Southern raider, Rosie's Premiere takes a marked step up in grade.
Casterbridge 66-1 (9-3) Pressed far side leaders, weakened, looked to be on terms with near side leaders 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 18th of 24, 12l behind Hootenanny (9-3) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Jun.
Showing Character 3-1 (9-0) Made all, ridden clear from over 1f out, ran on well, won at Chester 5f 2yo nov stk (4) gs in Jun beating Steve Prescott (9-7) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Steve Prescott 4-5fav (9-7) Tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Showing Character (9-0) at Chester 5f 2yo nov stk (4) gs in Jun.
Clouds Rest 25-1 (9-0) Raced towards far side, prominent, pushed along halfway, weakened approaching final furlong, 15th of 21, 11l behind Anthem Alexander (9-0) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo fll Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Rosie's Premiere (IRE) 15-2 (8-11) Off the pace in 6th, headway on outside 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led and edged right inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Windsor 5f 2yo flls mdn auc stks (5) gd in Jun beating Robin Hill (9-0) by 2l, 9 ran.