tracked leading pair, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, tracking leaders in 5th, went 4th 10f out, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd final strides
steadied start, held up, in last pair, headway on inside over 2f out, not much room on inside and went 3rd over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd final strides, never going pace to challenge
chased winner, ridden and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, in rear, steady headway on outside 4f out, ridden and no real impression when hung left from 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders in 4th until 10f out, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, plugged on again in modest 4th inside final furlong
made all and set decent pace, ridden 3f out, stayed on strongly under pressure, unchallenged
RUSCOMBE (NAP) has shown real promise for the future on both starts and is a fascinating contender as Sir Michael Stoute steps her up in trip for this handicap bow, for which she inhabits a feasible mark for her master trainer to exploit. She still looked open to any amount of improvement when repelling the late thrust of To Eternity when breaking her maiden at Doncaster and appeals as the sort of long-term project with which her handler excels. Girling, not disgraced in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, remains a filly with potential, with similar comments attributable to the other runner from the Stoute operation in Engage. The remaining quartet cannot be discounted with confidence with Talent To Amuse looking best of the four back on better ground after floundering on the heavy last time. She remains a filly open to progress.
Girling (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 8th of 18, 8l behind Sword Fighter (9-3) at Ascot 2m lst (1) gs in Jun.
Ruscombe 1-2fav (9-0) Tracked leaders in 5th, not clearest of runs 3f out, switched left approaching final 2f, 3rd over 1f out, 2nd inside final furlong, driven to lead final 50 yards, all out, won at Doncaster 1m 2f mdn fll stks (5) gs in Jun beating To Eternity (9-0) by ns, 10 ran.
Engage (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Slowly away, in touch 7f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Master Blueyes (9-1) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Genuine Approval (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) With leader, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on, won at Beverley 1m 4f hcp fll (4) gd in Jun beating Renfrew Street (8-13) by nk, 7 ran.
Daphne 20-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never a threat, 14th of 18, dist behind Sword Fighter (9-3) at Ascot 2m lst (1) gs in Jun.
Talent To Amuse (IRE) 15-8fav (8-2) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 4th of 5, 18 3/4l behind Return Ace (9-6) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp fll (3) hvy in Jun.
Purple Magic 11-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon drew clear, stayed on well, won at Catterick 1m 6f hcp (5) sft in Jun beating Argyle (9-6) by 5l, 5 ran.
