prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
midfield in touch, ridden over 2f out, slightly short of room over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
led, pressed for lead 2f out, soon ridden and briefly headed, regained lead entering final furlong, stayed on well inside final furlong
prominent, ridden and pressed leader 2f out, soon briefly led, headed entering final furlong, kept on inside final furlong, weakened into 3rd near finish
midfield, driven over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
close up in touch, driven 2f out, briefly pressed leaders over 1f out, weakened close home
midfield, ridden and slightly hampered over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
always in rear, detached over 3f out, tailed off over 2f out
held up in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
midfield, ridden over 2f out, headway between rivals inside final furlong, stayed on into 2nd near finish
A runner-up over 7f at Newmarket in both starts in handicaps so far, this drop down in trip looks the logical move for STRIKING STAR (NAP) and Charlie Appleby’s charge can come out best. Brooklyn Nine Nine was beaten only a head at Ripon on his handicap bow while Cruise was beaten in handicaps before winning a maiden race at Southwell. Grenham Bay won a lower grade sprint at Salisbury and is 3lb higher while Fox Master can do better on this faster surface on the back of a third at Ascot.
Striking Star 6-4fav (9-8) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Havana Blue (9-3) at Newmarket 7f hcp (3) gd in May.
Lakota Blue 11-2 (9-7) Dwelt, soon mid-division, no headway when hung left over 1f out, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Radio Goo Goo (8-7) at Chester 6f hcp (3) sft in May.
The Big Board (IRE) 10-11fav (9-6) Led, ridden and faced strong challenge over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, soon no extra and lost two placed towards finish, 4th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Pure Angel (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Safari Dream (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Led, headed over 3f out, stayed prominent on stands rail, held inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Umming N' Ahing (9-0) at Goodwood 5f hcp (4) hvy in May.
Carmela (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Wore hood to post, slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, some late headway, never involved, 5th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Danger Alert (9-4) at Chester 5f hcp (3) sft in May.
Brooklyn Nine Nine (IRE) 11-4 (9-4) Mid-division, pushed along over halfway, headway into 3rd over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside last, just denied, 2nd of 10, hd behind Lakota Blue (9-8) at Ripon 6f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Cruise (IRE) 1-2fav (9-1) Made all, pushed along and quickened clear over 1f out, went further clear inside final furlong, eased close home, won at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) pol in May beating Crazy Crackers (9-6) by 6 1/2l, 10 ran.
Mehme (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Off the pace in last pair, never involved, 6th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Alpha Capture (9-3) at York 6f lst stks (1) gs in Oct.
Grenham Bay (IRE) 3-1fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, effort to lead 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well, holding 2nd close home, won at Salisbury 6f hcp (5) gs in May beating Snuggle (9-10) by nk, 10 ran.
Fox Master 9-2 (9-3) Steadied start, held up off the pace in last pair, headway far side of group under pressure over 1f out, went 3rd final furlong, closed on 2nd but no chance with winner, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Prospering (9-2) at Ascot 6f hcp (4) sft in May.
