slowly away, took keen hold, held up last, hanging right when not clear run inside final 2f, kept on inside final furlong, no chance
held up, switched left just inside final 2f, stayed on inside final furlong to press for 3rd near finish
tracked leading pair until ridden 2f out, weakened soon after
held up, ridden entering straight, no impression
tracked winner to over 6f out, remained handy, chased leading pair under pressure 2f out, soon one pace and no impression
made all, driven 2f out, in command over 1f out, stayed on strongly
close up in 4th, ridden and weakened entering straight
held up, rapid headway on outside over 7f out, tracked winner over 6f out, driven along 2f out, no impression and held over 1f out
A tight handicap in which the weights are headed by last year's winner Free Offer. She has claims of completing a double whilst Moon Sister is also respected but FOUNTAINS ABBEY is preferred. There are doubts about the selection as this will be the furthest that she's been asked to travel and this ground is also the quickest that she's encountered but we don't have too many concerns on either score. She was a little disappointing last time but it's to be hoped that she finds some improvement for this test. Free Offer drops in grade and should be a threat to all whilst her rider's claim ensures that she's not too badly treated. She hasn't won since taking this prize but hasn't been disgraced in the face of some stiff tasks and merits respect. Moon Sister drops in trip having seemingly run out of stamina in a fairly competitive race at Salisbury. She travelled well for a long way there, handles quicker ground and is open to improvement. Amicable Terms, Candy Mountain and Baylini look held by the handicapper, Fantasy Princess has her stamina to prove but Luck Will Come saw out this trip well enough last time and may have more to offer.
Free Offer 14-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, not clear run briefly just inside final 2f, soon hung right under pressure and beaten, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Spell Caster (8-2) at Goodwood 1m 1f fll hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jul.
Baylini 12-1 (9-7) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway 2f out, not trouble leaders over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 8l behind Curzon Prince (9-8) at Sandown 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Candy Mountain 9-2 (9-8) Prominent, chased leading pair over 5f out, ridden 3f out, stayed on samepace final 2f out, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Mazaaya (9-3) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Amicable Terms 3-1 (9-0) Prominent, chased leader 8f out until ridden over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 6, 5l behind Quirina (9-7) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (4) gd.
Fountains Abbey (USA) 3-1fav (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Born Tobouggie (9-7) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Moon Sister (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, headway to lead 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, not quicken, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Star of Gibraltar (8-12) at Salisbury 1m 4f fll hcp (4) gs.
Luck Will Come (IRE) 11-4 (8-2) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, edged right, stayed on inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f fll hcp (4) pol beating Ornella (8-8) by a nk, 6 ran.
Fantasy Princess (USA) 6-1 (9-8) Soon in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Trumpet Lily (9-10) at Newmarket 1m fll hcp (4) sft.
