held up in rear, not clear run and switched left well over 1f out, never on terms
in touch in mid-division, headway 5f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway when not much room 2f out, not clear run and switched left just over 1f out, ran on, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leader until ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch in mid-division, slightly outpaced over 2f out, not much room well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
led until ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, lost place over 8f out, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
Connections of GRITSTONE decided to bypass a maiden engagement at the weekend in preference for this and their decision can pay dividends; he's taken to beat Daring Dream and Talk Of Saafend. Having set a decent gallop, our selection emerges with plenty of credit for taking third over 1m2f last time. The feeling is he bumped into a couple of decent sorts at Haydock and he suggested that day he's up to winning off this rating of 73. This slight drop in trip should be perfect for the three-year-old and he's taken to beat some modest opponents. Daring Dream will attract a deal of support having won nicely at Ayr last time. However, both his career wins have come at that track and he'd previously disappointed favourite backers here when rated 62, so this is definitely tougher off 67. In fairness he has been in solid form all season and may simply have improved since, but we're inclined to oppose the horse until he shows more course versatility. Talk Of Saafend is weighted to get closer to Daring Dream than when third to him at Ayr and merits a look here; she'll be having only her third start of the year and can be expected to improve, especially as she's a course and distance winner. Finsbury disappointed last time in a seller and looks a shade high in the weights returned to handicap, some 8lbs higher than when winning at Carlisle prior to that, whilst Shy Glance had plenty in his favour last time but failed to produce and is therefore opposable. Gritstone looks up to winning races off this mark and connections have found a golden opportunity.
Shy Glance (USA) 13-2 (9-3) Held up in rear but in touch, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 7l behind That'll Do Nicely (8-11) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Daring Dream (GER) 11-4 (8-13) Tracked leaders, not clear run and switched right over 2f out, led entering final furlong, ran on, won at Ayr 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating El Dececy (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Finsbury 15-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, never a factor, 5th of 6, 8l behind Royal Straight (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 4yo sell stks (6) gf.
Talk of Saafend (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in last, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon switched right, stayed on, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Daring Dream (8-13) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Gritstone 11-8fav (9-2) Led, joined inside final 3f, kept narrow advantage, bumped from well over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, lost 2nd last half furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Christopher Wren (8-13) at Haydock 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Caracal 9-2 (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 11l behind Ting Ting (8-2) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Rosbertini 50-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, towards rear, effort on outside over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 12l behind King Of Windsor (9-0) at Ayr 7f mdn stks (5) gf.
Anthemion (IRE) 6-1 (7-13) Close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 8l behind Glenluji (8-0) at Ayr 1m app hcp 0-55 (6) gf.
Primo Way 40-1 (8-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 3f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, no extra near finish, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Glenluji (8-0) at Ayr 1m app hcp 0-55 (6) gf.
