tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened
led, hard driven when strongly challenged over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
dwelt, chased leaders, headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well
tracked leader, driven to challenge well over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on strongly
This looks tricky despite the small field. Kingsdesire was well beaten on his return in the Dee Stakes at Chester but it was awful ground that day and he's better than that. Counterglow won at Meydan before finishing third to Mickdaam at the same track in March but had higher rated horses behind last time while Expense Claim just failed to make it four in a row when second to Michelangelo in Listed company at Goodwood recently. John Gosden trains the latter and is represented by STARBOARD in this. He failed to land the odds at Newmarket on his reappearance but entries in the King Edward Stakes and the Eclipse suggest today's longer trip will suit and he's taken to show his true colours here.
Counterglow (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Held up in midfield, tracked leaders 3f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Mickdaam (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f 3yo Listed stks (1) in Mar.
Expense Claim (IRE) 9-4 (9-0) Led, quickened clear over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, headed last 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Michelangelo (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in May.
Kingsdesire (IRE) 10-3 (8-12) Keen and close up in last place, pushed along over 4f out, ridden to go 3rd 3f out, no impression after, 3rd of 4, 16l behind Astrology (8-12) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) sft in May.
Starboard 8-13fav (8-12) Keen led, headed narrowly 5f out, ridden to chase winner 2f out, no impression, 2nd of 3, 4l behind Fort Bastion (8-12) at Newmarket 1m con stks (3) gf in May.
