tracked winner, ridden to join winner over 1f out, edged left and no extra inside final furlong
slowly into stride, close up in rear, effort over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
close up, went wide 8f out, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace
keen, close up, went wide 8f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked winner, went wide 8f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
made all, ridden and joined over 1f out, ran on
Carntop was just caught in the Lingfield Derby Trial in May and then finished fifth in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. He should figure if fully wound-up in first-time blinkers. Barsanti and Dal Harraild are now too high in the weights for handicaps and this is a natural progression. Both are capable of stepping up while Furia Cruzada was a Grade 1 winner in Argentina and is probably the form pick on her second in a Group 2 at Haydock in July, though seems to prefer soft going. SECOND STEP was also a Group 1 winner last year, in Germany, and has been highly tried this season. He found the going too quick dropped into this grade at Windsor last time and could be worth another chance.
Barsanti (IRE) 5-1jfav (9-10) Held up in mid-division, steady headway over 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, challenged and edged left over 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, strongly pressed final 100 yards, kept on gamely, won at York 1m 4f hcp stks (2) gd in Aug beating Shakopee (8-11) by nk, 15 ran.
Second Step (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Keen close up, ridden over 3f out, not much room over 1f out, switched left driven and stayed on to go 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Berkshire (9-3) at Windsor 1m 4f lst stks (1) gf in Aug.
Star Storm (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Tracked leading trio, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 8, dist behind Postponed (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs in Jun.
Furia Cruzada (CHI) 16-1 (9-7) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 20 1/2l behind Seventh Heaven (8-11) at York 1m 4f Grp 1 fll (1) gf in Aug.
Carntop 9-2 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader for 1f, remained handy, every chance 2f out, soon lost 2nd, chased leading pair, ridden over 1f out, weakened and lost two places final 100 yards, 5th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Across The Stars (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Jun.
Dal Harraild 11-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, challenged going well 2f out, ridden and not quicken 1f out, kept on, no impression inside final furlong,, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind New Caledonia (8-7) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp stks (2) gd in Sep.
