pressed leaders on outer, chased winner over 2f out, to well over 1f out, weakened tamely final furlong
slowly into stride, raced on outside and held up, stayed on one pace final 2f
held up, headway 2f out, chase leader 1f out, no impression final furlong but clear of rest
slowly into stride and always behind
chased leaders for 3f
made most of halfway, weakened 2f out
winner, pressed leaders on near side rail, led halfway, in command over 1f out ridden final furlong
held up in rear, headway and switched in final 2f, ran on to take poor 3rd final 100 yards
This looks to be a straightforward match between Chinalea and Perfect Story, with the vote going to the former. Perfect Story has not raced on turf before, so is something of an unknown quantity in that respect. However, James Toller's filly hasn run well on all four starts on sand and if proving as effective on this surface she must be a threat. Nevertheless, we will side with Chinalea, who showed solid form when a close second in a competitive handicap at Goodwood last time, with the third horse five lengths away. Clive Cox's colt had earlier gone down by just a neck in a similarly competitive handicap at Newmarket and he fully deserves to win a race. The rest of the field make little appeal, but the pick of them may just be Andrew Balding's Holbeck Ghyll. However, official ratings put him ten pounds behind Chinalea, who gets a confident vote.
Chinalea (IRE) 7-2fav (8-11) Prominent and keen, challenged winner throughout final furlong but no extra, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Emerald Lodge (9-4) at Goodwood 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Holbeck Ghyll (IRE) 10-3 (8-12) Pulled hard and hung right in lead, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 11l behind Sovereignty (8-12) at Ayr 7f mdn 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Holiday Cocktail 20-1 (9-0) Very slowly away, always behind, 9th of 12, 18l behind Space Maker (9-0) at Beverley 5f 2yo mdn (D3) gf in Sept.
Teenage Rampage 100-1 (9-0) Chased leaders over 3f, 6th of 13, 12l behind Star Duster (8-4) at Leicester 5f 3yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jul.
Binty 80-1 (8-8) In rear, under pressure 3f out, never nearer, 6th of 9, 14l behind Pippa's Dancer (8-8) at Bath 5f mdn aut stk (6) frm in May.
Canary Dancer 16-1 (8-9) Chased leaders until halfway, 9th of 13, 15l behind Star Duster (8-4) at Leicester 5f 3yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jul.
Perfect Story (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden and not clear run over 1f out, switched right but held, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Spectait (9-2) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jul.
Sister Eugenie (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 20l behind Ginger Spice (8-11) at Newbury 1m 3yo mdn fll (5) sft in Jul.
