chased leader to 3f out, weakened rapidly, tailed off
slowly into stride, held up in mid-division, staying on when not clear run inside final furlong, switched right and ran on to take 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
slowly away, never travelling in rear, driven and headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, closing well at finish
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, never dangerous
led, hard ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened towards finish
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, led 1f out, ridden clear final furlong
dwelt, soon ridden into mid-division and keen, effort on inside under pressure over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
mid-division, hung wide bend 2f out, soon behind
slowly into stride, soon pushed along towards rear, never in contention
Another maiden rounds off the card and, as usual in these events, the market could prove to be interesting but the principals look to be Optical Illusion, Mia's Boy and Arabian Gleam, with the confident vote going to Optical Illusion. The selection was a fair sixth in a stong maiden last time out behind Shot Gun; this looks easier and, with improvement likely, he looks the one to be on. Mia's Boy was well backed on his debut but could only finish a moderate sixth behind Adagio. That form has since been franked but he was well beaten on that occasion and is taken on with this in mind. Arabian Gleam catches the eye on breeding and will not need to be anything special to take a hand in the finish. Of the remainder, Fabine will be handicapped after this run and that is where his future may lie while, Ships Watch is another well-bred type that could go well but he is bred to be suited by further and, with this in mind, for the winner we return to Opticl Illusion.
Brief Engagement (IRE) 100-1 (9-7) Chased leaders for 2f, weakened rapidly halfway, last of 11, 27l behind High Tribute (8-10) at Lingfield 6f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Arabian Gleam Kyllachy colt, half-brother to several winners from 7f-1m4f.
Mango Masher (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Always behind, 4th of 11, 12l behind Riggins (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Apr.
Mia's Boy 6-4fav (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 11, 8l behind Adagio (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
Mr Grand Lodge (FR) Grand Lodge colt out of 7f winner Legende D'or.
Optical Illusion (USA) 11-4 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden and headway from over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Shot Gun (8-11) at Epsom 1m 1f mdn stk (5) gf in Apr.
Fabine 4-6fav (9-0) Prominent early, lost place over 4f out, headway over 1f out, soon hung left, stayed on same pace, 4th of 10, 3l behind Teasing (9-0) at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Nov.
Krikket 40-1 (9-0) Raced stand's side, went right start, behind, pushed along 2f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 15, 6l behind Miss Ippolita (9-0) at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) gd in Sept.
Ridgeway Place Compton Place filly, half-sister to winners up to 1m7f.
Rosemary And Thyme Medicean filly, half-sister to several winners from 7f-1m2f.
Ships Watch (IRE) Night Shift filly out of 1m4f winner Bel.