held up, ridden over 3f out, headway on inside over 1f out, one pace
towards rear, ridden over 4f out, headway over 3f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, effort and headway over 4f out, led over 3f out, kept on
held up, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on, not reach
towards rear, headway to join leaders 7f out, ridden and edged left 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, headway over 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden and not clear run 2f out, ran on one pace
never a factor
in touch, ridden 4f out, soon weakened and eased
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, driven over 4f out, close up over 3f out and soon weakened
soon led, hung right after 6 furlongs, headed over 3f out and soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 6f out, kept on to chase winner final furlong, not reach
mid-division to rear, hampered after 6 furlongs, ridden 7f out, stayed on from over 1f out
A competitive staying contest gets proceedings underway and there is very little between many of the leading lights, but the principals look to be Champagne Shadow, Apache Fort and Cortesia and the narrow nomination is given to Champagne Shadow. The selection has won his last two races in good style, notably when beating Chiff Chaff last time out. Granted he is not proven over a trip this far but his style of running suggests he will stay and he looks a value bet in an open affair. Apache Fort rates the main danger on his latest second behind Rudry World but he is creeping up the weights without winning and he looks opposable on that basis. Cortesia was a fair fourth behind Sister Maria last time and could improve for the step up in trip. Her yard remains in good form but she looks exposed off this mark. Musango was third behind Birkside last time and is another with place claims but he looks another doubtful stayer. This is a trappy affair and the market will be very informative, but at least Champagne Shadow is in form and he gets our vote.
Cortesia (IRE) 11-4 (9-10) Tracked winner to over 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 13l behind Sister Maria (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Musango 7-1 (9-5) Held up in 6th, headway 2f out, went 2nd briefly entering final furlong, soon outpaced by front pair, kept on well for 3rd, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Birkside (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jun.
Champagne Shadow (IRE) 2-1 (9-8) In touch, headway over 2f out, kept on to lead inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol beating Chiff Chaff (7-13) by 1l, 11 ran.
Synonymy 9-1 (9-6) Close up, went 2nd over 4f out, led well over 2f out to inside furlong, weakened, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Sendinpost (9-5) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun.
Bob's Your Uncle 5-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Josh You Are (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Apache Fort 11-4fav (9-5) Raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3f out, soon ridden, pressed 2f out, joined 1f out, no extra and headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Rudry World (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f app hcp (6) pol.
Into Action 9-2 (7-10) Tracked leaders until over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong to regain 2nd final 75 yards, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Mister Completely (9-5) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Strobe 3-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, led after 3f, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 7l behind Duty Free (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol.