pulled hard in rear, ridden and effort 3f out, soon weakened
very slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
led for 2f, chased leader, challenged and led well over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, not pace of winner
held up in mid-division, steady headway from 3f out, challenged and led on bit 1f out, quick and clear very easily
chased leader, led after 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
Messrs Stoute and Gosden look to hold the key to the finale with Alamouna and Hawksbill likely to dominate the market. Almouna was sent off a 25/1 shot in a hot maiden at Newmarket last month. However, the fact that Sir Michael Stoute elected to go to Ripon with her on debut suggests that she probably isn't one of the star fillies at Freemason Lodge. The Khalid Abdulla colours have been in winning form at Royal Ascot this week and they could be on view with Hawkbill. On breeding, this horse looks to be the one to be on. A half-brother to the smart middle-distance performer, Binary File; he wouldn't need to show too much of his sibling's ability to land this contest. Kristiansand was well backed on debut but ultimately disappointed on track. There is every chance that he is better than the bare form suggests. Curlew River ran a cracker behind the highly touted Illustrator at Windsor. That horse had chased home some useful sorts in Brian Boru and Lateen Sails. The form is there for all to see but one suspects that he'll be better for a step up to further. The four-year-olds make little appeal on all known form. Having evaluated the alternatives, we will select the Gosden debutant, Hawksbill to land the maiden.
