behind, outpaced 4f out, never dangerous
mid-division, switched inside and pushed along 7f out, driven and outpaced over 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd inside final furlong, never troubled leading pair
tracked winner, ridden and lost place over 1f out, one pace and lost 3rd inside final furlong, no impression
chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, driven and outpaced over 2f out, never on terms
tracked leaders, switched inside and effort to chase winner over 1f out, soon ridden and every chance, not much room when switched right inside final furlong, no extra
made all, ridden over 1f out, soon pressed, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on well
behind, outpaced 4f out, never dangerous
Ellbeedee and Gritstone set the standard so far but may find BLISSFUL MOMENT and Flotation improving beyond them, with slight preference for the former. Sir Michael Stoute's charge shaped with abundant promise on his debut last year when connections had suggested he'd need the run. That proved to be the case as he was green and outpaced before staying on too late, but the performance suggested he'd not be long in winning and the form has been franked with the winner going in again and the third horse winning an ordinary maiden before placing in Group company at Royal Ascot. Providing he's fit for action a big run is likely. Flotation is a scopey sort who should improve plenty for her return and she's got a good draw too so it'd be little surprise were she to improve past Ellbeedee and Gritstone. The former looked a winner-in-waiting at Warwick earlier on this summer but disappointed at Hamilton last time, although she was rushed up after a slow start and simply had nothing left at the end. This drop in trip will help and she may hold Gritstone, who could be hard to pass if getting to front but looks like a horse who prefers going right-handed. Layla's Boy is an exposed 68-rated sort and Large Scotch makes little appeal on paper and it's Blissful Moment who gets the call.
Stephie 100-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, weakened well over 2f out, 13th of 16, 32l behind Thabit (9-12) at Haydock 1m mdn stks (5) gf.
Blissful Moment (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, pushed along and stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 4l behind Fareej (9-0) at Newmarket 1m mdn stks (4) gf in Oct.
Layla's Boy 16-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened and eased, 5th of 7, 17l behind Zuider Zee (9-1) at Chester 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Peckforton Castle 28-1 (9-3) Held up in 4th, took keen hold, weakened 3f out, 4th of 5, 28l behind Aattash (9-3) at Bath 1m 3yo mdn aut (6) gf.
Quick Deal (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 20l behind Kensei (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Ellbeedee (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders, joined leaders 3f out, ridden edged left and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 15l behind Very Good Day (8-13) at Haydock 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd.
Flotation (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Soon tracked leader, led narrowly 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, chased winner until unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Channel Squadron (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd.
Large Scotch Trade Fair filly out of Brandish.
Gritstone 11-8fav (9-2) Led, joined inside final 3f, kept narrow advantage, bumped from well over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, lost 2nd last half furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Christopher Wren (8-13) at Haydock 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
