held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on under strong pressure to chase winner well inside final furlong, always held
raced keenly, led over 1f, remained prominent, pushed along when not much room well over 1f out, not quicken entering final furlong, kept on same pace
held up in rear, not clear run 2f out, switched left, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
pressed leader over 1f, remained prominent, led 2f out until ridden over 1f out, weakened final 100 yards
progress to lead over 5f out, ridden, headed 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, eased
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken
tracked leaders, switched left over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
A fascinating sprint in which we will pump for MAIN AIM ahead of Asset. The selection ran a fine race at Newmarket last time, as he was hampered late on by the winner Fleeting Spirit. That run, coupled with his two-length fourth to Paco Boy at Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes, gives him a leading chance here and clear on the official ratings he is the one to beat. JJ The Jet Plane is an obvious threat; this physically imposing Australian sprinter steps up a furlong this afternoon following a third place behind Main Aim in the July Cup and he should run well. Finjaan gets plenty of weight as a three-year-old and it is no surprise to see him dropped in trip today. His third to Intense Focus last October reads well and he lost little caste in defeat in the 2000 Guineas considering he didn't stay. The owner's retained jockey Richard Hills prefers Ouqba, winner of the Jersey Stakes, and this trip is is ideal for him. Regal Parade is gallant but will find this much tougher than at Chester last time, Express Wish has won here before but again it was a weaker race, whilst Dream Eater has failed to live up to his lofty reputation so far this year. Asset ran well at Ascot in the Wokingham but has plenty to find with Main Aim on their Haydock running in May and so it is the last-named that we return to for the winner.
Balthazaar's Gift (IRE) 13-8fav (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, ran on but always held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Regal Parade (9-2) at Chester 7f Listed stks (1) gf.
Dream Eater (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Led until over 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 6l behind Aqlaam (9-1) at Ascot 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gf.
Express Wish 12-1 (9-8) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance entrance final 2f, weakened final furlong, last of 9, 9l behind Imbongi (9-3) at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jun.
J J The Jet Plane (SAF) 13-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Fleeting Spirit (9-2) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gf.
Main Aim 14-1 (9-5) Led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, chased winner, badly hampered inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Fleeting Spirit (9-2) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gf.
Regal Parade 11-4 (9-2) Tracked leaders early, soon settled in touch, switched right just inside final 2f, ridden to lead 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on, driven out, won at Chester 7f Listed stks (1) gf beating Balthazaar's Gift (9-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Finjaan 25-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 15, 9l behind Sea The Stars (9-0) at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 3yo (1) gf in May.
Ouqba 12-1 (9-1) Steadied start, settled rear, headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, quickened well inside final furlong, led near finish, ridden out, won at Royal Ascot 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun beating Deposer (9-1) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Asset (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Raced far side, held up in rear, good headway on rail 2f out, led group and overall 1f out, headed and unable to quicken final 75 yards, 2nd of 26, 3/4l behind High Standing (8-12) at Royal Ascot 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gf in Jun.
