held up in touch, driven and headway when edged left inside final furlong, ran on to lead post
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and challenged from over 1f out, headed and no extra post
held up in touch, keen early, effort over 1f out, soon weakened
always prominent, driven to challenge over 1f out, beaten when short of room inside final furlong
held up, driven and headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, not reach leaders
tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon every chance, weakened inside final furlong
Chateau Istana is progressing nicely and can land this valuable event from Council Member and Mystical Land. Nick Littmoden is having a tremendous season, especially with his juveniles and this son of Grand Lodge can add to the trainers impressive tally. He followed up a promising Windsor debut with a victory at Leicester before landing the Windsor Castle Stakes at Ascot. In the circumstances he did well to win, he had ground to make up two out and was not helped by getting an accidental smack across the nose from Jamie Spencer approaching the furlong-marker. The extra furlong today will be ideal and he can land the hat-trick. Council Member hails from the all conquering Godolphin yard and merits every respect having chased home Iceman in the Coventry at the Royal meeting. Mystical Land was also in action at Ascot, making Blue Dakota pull out all the stops in the Norfolk Stakes, he finished to some effect after a bump at the start so should also be suited by the step up to six furlongs. Tony James, not far behind Council Member last time, is also in with a shout, but Chateau Istana hasn't stopped improving and is chosen lead them home.
