keen close up, ridden to chase winner 1f out, no impression
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression
ponied to start, tracked winner until ridden 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 1f out, no impression
held up, ridden 2f out, no impression
made all, ridden and ran on final furlong
Another success beckons for last-year's winner BALTHAZAAR'S GIFT. Clive Cox's charge ran well at Goodwood last month when unable to quicken in a slowly-run race. There looks to be more pace on today and with ideal ground conditions he can strike late for victory with no penalty for his win twelve months ago. Cat Junior was ahead of him last time and is respected but it remains to be seen whether the visor will work again over a trip just short of his best, whilst Finjaan was given a poor ride at Goodwood and he is of more interest today now ridden by Tadgh O'Shea as the pair have gelled in the past (normally too keen). Himalya is a consistent handicapper, Ouqba needs to improve for blinkers but this is a drop in grade, whilst Palace Moon is not discounted with the step back up in trip on quicker ground in his favour. Shakespearean didn't beat much at Epsom earlier in the year and with the fillies likely to struggle against the boys, a more realistic challenge should come from Angel's Pursuit if his stamina holds out.
Cat Junior (USA) 33-1 (9-2) Steadied start, held up in rear, switched left to outside 2f out, headway under strong pressure and hung right over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd final 50 yards and closed on winner close home, just held, 2nd of 12, hd behind Lord Shanakill (9-2) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Finjaan 8-1 (9-2) Took keen hold in touch on outside, ridden and not quicken 2f out, soon ridden and no impression on leaders over 1f out, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Lord Shanakill (9-2) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Himalya (IRE) 7-1fav (9-3) Mid-division stands side, outpaced 2f out, headway over 1f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, kept on and every chance, held towards finish, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 21, 3/4l behind Castles In The Air (8-10) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Ouqba 9-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, hampered near finish, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Premio Loco (9-1) at Ascot 1m Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Golden Stream (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Steadied start, held up in 8th, headway on outside and hung right over 1f out, stayed on under strong pressure to 2nd final 50 yards, not able to reach winner, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Tropical Paradise (9-2) at Goodwood 7f flls Group 3 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Summer Fete (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, held up in 6th on inside, ridden along and unable to quicken inside final 2f, no impression after, 7th of 9, 5l behind Tropical Paradise (9-2) at Goodwood 7f flls Group 3 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Shakespearean (IRE) (8-7) 5th of 8 Fuisse (9-5) at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 1m Grp 3 gd in Jul.
Balthazaar's Gift (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Held up in rear on inside, headway on rail and squeezed through over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Lord Shanakill (9-2) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Palace Moon 7-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, behind far side, outpaced over 2f out, 27th of 28, 24l behind Evens And Odds (8-10) at Goodwood 6f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Angel's Pursuit (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders 4f, 8th of 9, 14l behind Regal Parade (9-3) at Newbury 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
