in touch, effort on headway to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
slowly into stride, ridden over 2f out, some late progress
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
prominent, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, no extra when headed close home
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after
prominent, ridden approaching 2f out, one pace
very slowly into stride, headway and switched right 2f out, switched left 1f out, kept on
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden 2f out, quickened to lead close home
mid-division, ridden 2f out, keeping on but edged left final furlong
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden approaching 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, mid-division, effort and headway 2f out, close up when not clear run inside final furlong, not recover
Barry Hills saddles two interesting newcomers here in the shape of Striking Spirit and Almoutaz who both could easily be good enough to win first time out but Eastern Gift has the proven form and is preferred. The selection has improved with each start, only going down by half-a-length in a better maiden than this at Goodwood last time, and Richard Hannon's colt looks to have solid claims of going one better today. Miesko found only one too good at Catterick first time out in a weaker race than this but Mark Johnston's youngsters normally improve with racing so there should be more to come from him. Fool's Wildcat ran a bit green on his Newmarket debut and should have learned from that effort, while Ridge Dance should similarly improve for his Newmarket debut effort and is another to consider. Given teh size of the field, there are others with chances but Eastern Gift looks to be going the right way and gets the vote to gain a deserved success.
Almoutaz (USA) Kingmambo colt out of 6f-1m1f winner Dessert.
Choiseau (IRE) CHOISIR colt out of 1m4f winner Little Linnet.
Classical Rhythm (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (8-12) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 9l behind Ellemujie (8-10) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Jun.
Eastern Gift 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders on outer, hard ridden to chase winner over 1f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Shallal (9-0) at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn (2) gd in Jul.
Follow The Band 6-1 (9-3) Always in mid-division, 8th of 13, 5l behind Eternal Luck (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Jun.
Fool's Wildcat (USA) 3-1 (9-3) Went left start, tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon outpaced and edged left, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 4 1/2l behind dhtrs Menadha (9-3) & Autocue (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Miesko (USA) 2-1fav (9-3) Took keen hold behind leaders, headway on inner and ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Classical World (9-3) at Catterick 7f 2yo mdn (5) frm.
Mwindaji Hunting Lion gelding, half-brother to several winners from 6f-1m5f.
Mystic Art (IRE) 22-1 (9-3) Towards rear, some headway 3f out, never nearer, 9th of 14, 11l behind Lady Aquitaine (8-12) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jul.
Newly Elected (IRE) Acclamation colt out of a lightly-raced mare.
Papuan Prince (IRE) Tagula colt out of a lightly-raced mare.
Ridge Dance 14-1 (9-3) Detached and outpaced until ran on final furlong, 6th of 11, 10l behind Captain Brilliance (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (3) gf.
Silver Regent (USA) Silver Deputy colt out of winning miler Alexine.
Striking Spirit Oasis Dream colt, half-brother to winning sprinter Daring Diva.
Yes Eighteen (IRE) Diktat colt, half-brother to 1m1f winners Devine Light and Grand Lass.
Prime Aspiration (USA) 20-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon recovered into midfield, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 8th of 13, 5l behind Paveroc (9-3) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs.
