in rear, ridden halfway, soon struggling
went right start, chased leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway to track leading pair 3f out, ridden to chase leader approaching final furlong, driven and stayed on to lead final 75 yards (hand timed)
held up, ridden 3f out, soon struggling
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
broke smartly, soon grabbed stands side rail to lead, ridden over 1f out, edged right and headed final 75 yards
chased leaders, ridden along 4f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased
AURORA SKY can light up this occasion by lowering the colours of Bea Menace and King's Sabre. John Akehurst is doubly represented but Aurora Sky is the one that we prefer and she's fancied to make amends for an unfortunate defeat at Epsom where she lost valuable momentum when jumping a shadow. She should have the speed to cope with the drop back in trip and still looks well handicapped. Bea Menace responded well to the fitting of blinkers to score readily over course and distance for which she's been handed a 5lb rise. That shouldn't be insurmountable and the headgear could be the making of her. Willie Muir's stable has taken a while to get into its stride but they're going well now and there may well be more to come from King's Sabre who returned to form at Kempton. He started life on a mark of 86 so remains feasibly treated on 70 despite a 5lb rise. Golden Rosie and Admiral Sandhoe have also slipped in the weights whilst My Best Bet and Safari Guide are competitive from their current marks but it's Aurora Sky that gets the vote.
Aurora Sky (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Led, 2 lengths clear 3f out, ridden over 1f out, caught post, 2nd of 10, hd behind Caster Sugar (9-1) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Golden Rosie (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 7, 6l behind Desire To Excel (9-1) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
My Best Bet 5-1 (9-5) Reared start, held up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to go modest over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Zebrano (9-6) at Chepstow 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Jul.
Admiral Sandhoe (USA) 7-1 (9-5) Prominent, went 2nd over 3f out, every chance when driven and hung left over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, one pace and lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Best In Class (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jul.
Safari Guide 5-1 (9-3) Tracked winner, effort 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Learo Dochais (9-3) at Lingfield 7f mdn auc stks (6) gd in Jul.
Bea Menace (USA) 9-2 (9-7) Made all racing on rail, kept on well final 1f, driven out, won at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jul beating Sermons Mount (8-9) by 2l, 9 ran.
King's Sabre 12-1 (8-11) Soon led, strongly pressed 2f out, soon ridden, headed just inside final furlong, soon one pace and no impression, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Arachnophobia (9-5) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul.
The Winged Assasin (USA) 8-1 (9-4) 5th of 18, 6l behind River Captain (9-4) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
