held up towards rear, shaken up and headway to chase leaders over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
always prominent, 2nd over 5f out, led well over 1f out, ridden 1f out, closed down towards finish, always doing enough
tracked leaders, ridden when edged right over 1f out, edged left entering final furlong, kept on to take 2nd closing stages
dwelt, soon chasing leader, lost 2nd over 5f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, well behind final 3f,
slowly into stride, pushed along in rear, behind final 3f
tracked leaders, awkward on bend over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
A tricky race to call with little to go on and Jack Junior can finally break his maiden tag, while there are a few potential improvers and an interesting debutante in Istiqdaam. The selection is clear top-rated here on BHA figures and has not been seen since the Group 3 Darley Stakes last October when the ground would not have suited. Provided it stays dry here, this colt, who was considered good enough to contest the St James's Palace Stakes this time last year, can get off the mark. Istiqdaam is a Pivotal colt and related to plenty of winners over this trip at three and from a yard that has a decent strike rate with it's three-year-olds this season. He'll want the ground on the quick side and if it is watch the market for a guide to his chance. Ghufa will have to improve a fair bit from his Yarmouth debut and Presvis might be a better proposition after showing promise in two runs to date, but Jack Junior can break his duck.
Ghufa (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Raced centre, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 15l behind Tazeez (9-12) at Yarmouth 1m mdn stk (5) gd in May.
Jack Junior (USA) 25-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 13l behind Windsor Knot (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Istiqdaam Pivotal colt, half-brother to numerous winners from 7f-1m2f.
Rascasse 66-1 (9-3) Dwelt, always behind, 7th of 8, well behind Ebn Malk (9-3) at Ripon 1m 3yo mdn (5) hvy.
Gulf Stream Lady (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 2l behind Grande Annee (8-12) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (5) gd.
Gulnaz Tobougg filly, half-sister to 7f winner Damasquiner and 1m2f-1m7f winner Litany.
Iraschko Bertolini filly, half-sister to useful 7f-1m2f winner Blue Baloo and 1m1f winner Muree Queen.
Ugly Betty 250-1 (8-12) Chased leaders to halfway, soon outpaced and behind, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 38l behind Quest For Success (9-3) at Ayr 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gs in Oct.
Presvis 6-1 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden along and headway 2f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind San Jose City (9-2) at Thirsk 7f mdn stk (5) gs.
Theonebox (USA) 125-1 (8-13) Behind, ridden over 2f out, some headway over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 13, 12l behind Missioner (8-13) at Haydock 1m mdn stk (5) gf in May.
Whipma Whopma Gate (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 15, 11l behind Mangham (9-3) at Ripon 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May.
