tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, never nearer
steadied start, keen, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not pace to challenge winner
in touch, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and hung left over 1f out, one pace final furlong
led, headed 3f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened 3f out
keen and held up, weakened 3f out, behind when hung badly left over 1f out
mid-division, headway to press winner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
CRITICAL MOMENT is suggested here, albeit not confidently, with Fair Trade and Party Doctor potential dangers. None of these come here in great form, which clouds the picture somewhat, but the Barry Hills-trained pick is the class act among them. After making a nice enough reppearance in the Craven Stakes just over on the Rowley Mile, he was all at sea when upped to 1m 4f in the Chester Vase and showed up a little better back over 10f at Royal Ascot. Fast ground suits and connections now revert to a mile once more, which will hopefully do the trick. Fair Trade was around four lengths adrift of the selection in the Hampton Court Stakes and meets him on the same terms. He was arguably more badly hampered in that race, though he still looks to have a bit too much to find. Party Doctor would be a welcome winner for Tom Dascombe, and he has claims as one who goes well on this ground and races over just about his optimum trip. Sweet Sonnet has got ability in there somewhere but has failed to show it in two starts this term, while a good run by Ransom Note earlier in the day will be a fillip for those contemplating a wager on Invincible Soul, who has been raised 6lbs for finishing runner-up to him in the Britannia over this trip. A fascinating race but one where caution is advised and Critical Moment may have enough class to win it.
Critical Moment (USA) 25-1 (9-2) Led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, 3rd and losing place when hampered on rail final 100 yards, 5th of 15, 2 3/4l behind Afsare (9-5) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Cumulus Nimbus 33-1 (8-8) Raced stands side, held up, no progress final 2f, 14th of 27, 9l behind Ransom Note (8-10) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Fair Trade 12-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, hampered over 8f out, some headway over 1f out, never in contention, 8th of 15, 6l behind Afsare (9-5) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Invincible Soul (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Raced stands side, prominent, good headway over 1f out, ran on to lead that group near finish, not quite pace of winner on far side, 2nd of 27, 1/2l behind Ransom Note (8-10) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Mufarrh (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Quadrille (9-2) at Newmarket 1m con stks (3) gf in May.
Party Doctor 11-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, became keen when pace steadied over 5f out, soon chasing winner, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd just over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind The Rectifier (8-8) at Windsor 1m Listed stks (1) gf in Jun.
Tt's Dream 12-1 (9-3) In rear, ridden 2f out, kept on, never nearer, 6th of 11, 8l behind Parvaaz (9-3) at Warwick 7f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Gessabelle 100-1 (7-12) Tracked leader until halfway, ridden and soon weakened, 6th of 7, 24l behind Bounty Box (8-12) at Newmarket 6f flls cond stks (3) gf in Jun.
Sweet Sonnet (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, soon slightly outpaced, stayed on again inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten leaders, 6th of 17, 6l behind Timepiece (9-5) at Royal Ascot 1m Fillies Listed Handicap (0-110) (3yo) (1) gf in Jun.
