held up, pushed along halfway, headway on outside over 2f out, strong challenge to lead briefly well inside final furlong, headed near finish
chased winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 1f out, headed briefly well inside final furlong, rallied gamely to lead again near finish
dwelt, held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
held up in rear, switched left over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong
held up, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to press leaders approaching final furlong, weakened final 100 yards
took keen hold, chased leaders 4f
A tight betting heat in prospect but Striking Ambition is given the verdict to confirm Ascot form with Avonbridge and Fiddlers Reach while Ego rates a danger. The Giles Bravery-trained Striking Ambition confirmed the impression that he would prove best suited to this trip when making all in a Listed event at the Berkshire track with Avonbridge beaten a length in second and Fiddlers Reach a further two-and-half lengths back in fourth. The trio meet on identical terms and Avonbridge is entitled to improve as he was making his seasonal reappearance but the selection impressed with a high cruising speed and appeared to win with something in hand so should prove hard to beat once more with conditions in his favour. Ego showed high-class form as a juvenile to finish placed in the Cheveley Park but was below her best in the Nell Gwyn on her return. It could be that Geoff Wragg's filly will appreciate the return to sprinting so she must be respected in receipt of all the weight allowances. Membership found conditions too testing at Haydock last time and is not without claims on his close third under top weight in the Free handicap at Newmarket's Craven meeting.