stumbled start, soon close up, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, smooth headway to lead 2f out, ridden and ran on
held up in touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway and every chance 2f out, soon ridden and outpaced by leading pair
led for 10f, soon weakened
Imperial Stride can beat a small but useful field that includes the likes of Bandari and Mamool. This race should have signaled the reappearance of Ouija Board, but with Ed Dunlop's star missing due to a cough, the path is clear for Imperial Stride to keep up the good work. Sir Michael Stoute's four-year-old takes on older opposition here, but the way that he disposed of the albeit out of form Powerscourt in the Scottish Derby at Ayr shows that he is on the up and up. The son of Indian Ridge took the scalp of Mullins Bay at York in June prior to that Group win and in his current mood should take all the beating. Bandari is a proven Group performer and on a line through Powerscourt when landing the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes in June, he has major claims. However he is a frustrating sort at times and will be susceptible to Stoute's improver. Mamool was not given the best of rides when beaten in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury as Kerrin McEvoy had him all dressed up with nowhere to go when the race unfolded. We know he is a good horse and he should this time finish ahead of Self Defence. Polar Jem continues to mix it with good company, but he is up against it here and it is Imperial Stride who gets the vote.
Bandari (IRE) (9-6) Prominent, disputed lead over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Darsalam (9-6) at Cologne 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug.
Imperial Stride 1-2fav (9-2) Made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on, won at Ayr 1m 2f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul beating Powerscourt (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Mamool (IRE) 11-8fav (9-3) Settled in 3rd, pushed along 3f out, ridden to challenge when hampered on rail entering final furlong, not recover, 4th of 5, 2l behind Lochbuie (9-3) at Newbury 1m 5f Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Self Defense 14-1 (9-3) Led to over 11f out, tracked leader after, hard ridden 2f out, lost 2nd just inside final furlong, kept on same pace after, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Lochbuie (9-3) at Newbury 1m 5f Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
The Whistling Teal 14-1 (8-12) Mostly tracked leading pair, hard ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Mamool (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 4f lst stk (1) gs in Jul.
Polar Jem 15-2 (8-11) Prominent, went 2nd after 3f, led 4f out, taken to far side over 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Eccentric (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
